ME/CFS Phone Support Group
The ME/CFS Phone Support Group is a patient-organized support group started on July 9, 2016. This ME/CFS support group hosts free periodic conference calls designed to provide peer-to-peer support by listening and sharing experiences with other participants. Most participants have ME/CFS, but the calls are also open to family, friends, other caregivers and advocates in an effort to share different perspectives and information.
Aims[edit | edit source]
These regularly scheduled calls and the group’s Facebook page aim to provide support and social interactions to individuals affected by ME/CFS. The conference call format was chosen to provide another avenue of support, recognizing that in-person events and online-only forums may be difficult for individuals with ME/CFS to take advantage of. Topics vary each call, based on what participants want to talk about during that call. Discussions can cover a wide range of matters, including symptoms, socializing, research, treatments, diet, the isolation and stigma of this disease and advocacy efforts.
Conference Call Details (Year-Round)[edit | edit source]
- When: Saturday's at 5:00 p.m. Pacific / 8:00 p.m. Eastern (USA time zones)
- Instructions for joining a scheduled call by phone (enter the Access Code after calling the relevant dial-in number):
- U.S. Dial-In Number: (609) 746-1155
- List of International Dial-In Numbers for 60+ countries
- Access Code: 915110#
- Local or long distance phone charges may apply, and participants should contact their phone service provider for questions of this nature.
- Alternative option for joining a scheduled call through an "online meeting" (audio only):
- Participants may join a call online by downloading and launching the FreeConferenceCall.com application. This application may also be downloaded and/or launched by clicking "Join Online Meeting" at the following link: https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/mecfsphone.
- Participants using this option will need to enter the following "Online Meeting ID" to join a call: mecfsphone
- For technical support or more detailed instructions, go to https://www.freeconferencecall.com/support-center/en/us/categories/meetings.
- General info / Facebook group:
- Participants can join the Facebook group for additional information and to receive scheduling updates and reminders for the calls.
- The group’s Facebook page describes other tips and guidelines for joining the conference calls (see the “About" section on the group’s Facebook page, or Facebook group members may access the "Files" section for additional information).
- A typical call runs 1-1.5 hours, but participants can join for a shorter period.
Online presence[edit | edit source]
- MECFSPhoneGroup@gmail.com
