Introducing the Community Leader Program, and a Community Leader

[Med Help]

Hi,

We're very pleased to announce the launch of our new Community Leader program. As MedHelp has grown in both number of members and the number of communities we have, the needs of these communities has also grown. Our Pregnancy communities would like to see different features than our Ovarian Cancer community. Out of this need, we came up with the Community Leader program.

A Community Leader will be a MedHelp member who will act like an ambassador to MedHelp, helping to communicate the feedback from the community as well as help us communicate back to the community from MedHelp. When we launch new features, like the Notes feature today, they will be able to help out with any questions. In addition to helping MedHelp, they will also be working with their community to help it grow, by welcoming new members, bringing up suggestions, etc. As always, anyone is still welcome to contact MedHelp directly. We love hearing from our members and it's a big part of what has made the site what it is today.

One thing to note, Community Leaders, will not be replacing the MedHelp moderators currently monitoring the site, however, the Leaders will be able to help if there is an issue and work with our moderators to address it. The Leaders are not working for MedHelp, they are still members, but ones that have taken on some added responsibility.

We're extremely excited about this program, and we're pleased to announce that we already have a Community Leader for the Arthritis community.  Please join us in welcoming smittygirl as the first Community Leader for this community. Arthritis has been one of our oldest forums on the Ask-a-Doctor side, but the community itself is fairly new. Smittygirl has been a great help to many here and we're looking forward to working with her and you, to continue improving the experience in this community.

MedHelp

[smittygirl]

Thank you to Med Help for this wonderful opportunity and welcome to all members, especially anyone new to our community.  I look forward to being a part of this group and will help everyone to the best of my knowledge based on my own experiences.  I think the most important thing we can all offer each other is compassion and a place for all to vent, laugh, cry and to be a part of  something that not everyone can understand unless they are going through it.  Any and all suggestions from members will be much appreciated.  So again, welcome everyone and I hope we can build a true caring place for those that need a place to be heard and understood.

Perhaps those of you that have already been dx can write about their experience as to help others that are new and seeking answers and guidance.  I will post my story soon as I am getting ready to start a new job and need to prepare for that this weekend.  

Happy Mothers day to all that celebrate the day!

Best Regards to All
Sue
smittygirl

[txsilver]

Hi.  I am Sandi and have been dx with rheumatoid arthritis, spinal stenosis, ankylosing spondylitis,  possible psoriatic arthrtis, mild sjogren's syndome and the list goes on.  
My road to dx took over 2 years.  At first they told me I had fibromyalgia, but I persisted through many doctors and finally got a doctor interested in my case who ran the right tests to identify what was happening with me.
I received my dx's in 10/07 and am still in the process of working out which combonation of meds to take and at what doses.  This seems to take as long as getting the dx!  At least I now know the names of what I am facing and have a treatment plan.
I joined this forum to provide support and encouragement where I can.

[smittygirl]

Thanks for sharing and the willingness to help others through their journey Sandi.  I urge everyone to really soak in what Sandi said with regard to not accepting a dx that you know in your heart is not right.  Never let any doctor dismiss you or your thoughts on what your symptoms are or how you are feeling.  I was told I had poly arthritis which simply means we don't know what you have.  There are over 100 types of arthritis.  Like Sandi I am still trying different medications to control my illness.  I have Ankoylosing Spondylitis and have been on Enbrel for 2 months and so far it is not helping me at all, so next we try Remicade or Humira.   The over all message Sandi and I are trying convey is to NOT GIVE UP!    Those of us that have been dx can help those of you that are just starting the journey, it can be very scary at times.  Please make sure you have a support system, it is very important for your mental state.  We are here to help so please join in!

Sue