a bit off topic - to my friends here

[wishforchange]

I have been quiet as am still not out of the woods so did not want to share too much with all.  I was warmed by your welcome though and thanks.

I am sorry to say this, and will be careful how I say it.  Since I posted my post which was too distressing to keep, there has been a mystery person, clearly nobody here, who has somehow gotten my private email address.  They are bombarding me with messages to stop posting on medhelp or talking to my friends here.  I only read one message, the rest I threw in the spam folder, but the headings were disturbing enough.

I always welcome emails from my friends here, who have my address, and am always made to feel welcome and wanted, even at my low points.  I have contacted Medhelp about this issue, worried how my private address got into the hands of someone not a friend, or known to my friends, but beyond that am at a loss what to do.  Is anyone else here having similar problems?  You can talk to me privately if you like, it may be the same person.  Such a ray of negativity in such a positive forum.

I am still here, still struggling, still leaning heavily on those who are supporting me.  I am careful about giving personal information for fear of my vulnerability, so obvious to those who know me here.  I know I am with friends and was scared even to come back after my episode, but you take me in like family here.  Those of you who answer my posts, and those who talk to me more privately are everything to me on my worst days.  

Just wanted to share what is going on, as am worried that others here may be having similar experiences with their private emails, and feeling isolated.  And so many here share so much about themselves.  Please, please, be careful.  This is an open forum and anyone can come in.  It is thanks to the great ethos here that so many of us are alike in being so supportive.  Now and again something less pleasant happens.  

Those who know me from a long time back may remember I had problems when I first signed up.  My strong views can invite strong emotions in some people.  I do wonder if the same person who tormented me in the early days came back under different names, just something in the style of writing that alerts me.  A theory.  I am sure as can be It is NOBODY from here, maybe not even anybody from Medhelp, as they are contacting me personally, but they clearly have an issue with Medhelp.

Stuck with my dilemmas, a broken leg, and it seems a stalker.  Must have been a right horror in a past life!

Am scared to engage and answer posts here.  Feel I don't want to get too close until I am sure of my future.  Very very very lost at the moment.  

If anyone does want to email me, please do identify yourself in the subject box, am not opening emails from anyone I don't know right now.  And am sorry I am not more up to date with everyone's issues.  

wish

[anitalounurse]

dear wish
i am so sad to hear about your privacy issue.  specially on this site where we may have lost trust in our docs, friends and family and now this person decides to invade your privacy.  this is very upsetting and my heart goes out to you.  i know that selma et al sorry for not remember all ur wonderful names....but i know this group is amazing and they and medhelp will step up to the plate.  if this message is late in gettin to you, i pray the issue has been resolved.  this diagnosis is stressful enuf without having to also deal with the type of issue you mentioned.  all the best with everything to you.  hope to c u here again soon.  i have some tests upcoming and plan to post update after that.  it is mon 10-20-09.  hope to be back in approx, one week.  peaceful prayers to you and yours,  anita

[saveone]

Wish, some people just like to beat you when you are down.  I believe it makes them feel better about themselves.  If they can point out your faults or perceived faults then they don't have to look at themselves to closely.

I know you are extremely sensitive to everything right now.  But remember you have a lot of ppl here who care about you.

It is could to see you around.

Wishing you peace, love and joy

terry

[Mand125]

Sorry that has happened to you Wish, I always think that I am pretty anonymous here but you never know.

I hope you stick around cause we miss you.

Mand

[kmil1999]

I just wanted to say hi and hang in there.  Anyone with chronic health issues knows where you are coming from.  Anyone giving you grief about your previous posts has never walked in your shoes and thus can not judge you.  Just remember we all care about you and think of you often!   Karen

[Janette2836]

Wish - thanks for sharing this concern.  Makes me more aware of the cautions we need to take when sharing information.  Lu - thanks for the comments on the security - it opens one's eyes!

Be well all
Janette

[rendean]

We haven't met yet but I did see your post when you were in such despair. I am glad you're still here with us.

Take care,
Ren

[Lulu54]

Dear all,
Wish makes some very serious points here and I too believe that no one in our regular community/family would send the types of emails she has described.  I must note that she has shared one with me that I wrote to the MedHelp staff about as well.  It was sent under the guise that someone's family member felt her plea for help was inappropriate here.

Each of us at some time or another have a dark hour, day or week and so often this is the first place we turn to for sharing.  We know that others here understand our sorrows as well as our joys.  This is one of those safe places that we gather and nothing is too sacred to say out loud.  

I believe part of Wish's despair lifted when she read your responses to her cries for help.  I know other forum members have also said the same thing about their individual situations.  That is part of the gift we give each other -for better or worse, we will love, honor and cherish each and every one of you. Sound familiar?? :-)

The other point that Wish makes is about security - more than once I have cautioned our members to not be so open with their information here.  This is a public forum and MedHelp has no way to keep lurkers with bad intentions from reading our posts and often personal information.  That is one reason the autocensor will take out any email addresses that are posted in the open forum. Please continue to be smart about what you post here.

Wish, a very personal note to you - I hope you will feel confident in us to continue to share your expertise in all things medical as well as your personal horrors of being in limbo in a system that is obviously broken.  Keep getting stronger and know that we are here for you.

As always, my best to everyone who reads this,
Lulu