This site is just one of many that deal with the issue of CFIDS and disability insurance.  CFSDisabilityAppeal.com brings one perspective to dealing with CFIDS ERISA Appeals.  Anyone dealing with disability issues should research

www.cfids.org – A wealth of information, medical, research and disability, from our illness’ primary advocate.  Don’t forget to donate while you are there to “Support the Association's campaign to conquer CFS!”

CFS Advice & Online Support Sites

Disinissues – Yahoo Group.  “The purpose of Disinissues is to share experience and advice about the processes of applying for, appealing, and renewing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and private long-term disability insurance.   The group is targeted mainly towards those with invisible disabilities, such as CFIDS and other conditions not on Social Security's Listing of Impairments.” 

Excellent place to ask questions and gain from other’s experiences.  Essential to anyone dealing with insurance issues, either LTD or SSDI.  Has an additional relationship with another yahoo group which addresses other topics of interest within the community.

Their corresponding website is here and has a great deal of information and great links.

Foggyfriends.org – “Where CFS/ME Suffers Unite”.  Forums and chat room… mostly to make friends, have fun and to get away from things.  Members are primarily Brits, but there are a few of us Yanks in there.

Massachusetts CFIDS Association – An exceptional support group site with some great information and publications, including a primer on applying for Social Security Disability for CFIDS.

CFS-ME.org – another great wealth of information on all aspects of the illness.

Medical/Treatment Sites

The Nightingale Definition of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) – an excellent definition of M.E. and the relationship to CFS.  It is very probable that most of us that say we have CFS might actually have M.E. but the medical establishment here in the USA has clung on to the CFS term.  CFS is recognized by the CDC, M.E. by the World Health Organization (WHO).  There is a great deal of debate, most of which confuses me, about the difference and the insurance companies trying to categorize CFS as a psychological illness, whereas M.E. is a clearly defined organic neurological illness.  Anyone that has CFS knows it is not a psychological illness, unfortunately the name isn’t helping that understanding.

CFSMExperimental – Yahoo group – “A discussion for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS, CFIDS) and Fibromyalgia (FM) patients who are undergoing experimental medical treatments or who are interested in learning about them.”  Great personal experiences and commentary on treatment.  Often gets quite technical.  Personally I can only follow a fraction of the threads, but I guess that’s what happens when you only have a few neurons still functioning.

Insurance/Legal Issues Sites

Don’t be an Omega Pup – An absolutely essential guide to help you to “ERISA-Proof Your LTD Claim File”.  Great inspiration for becoming the “Alpha Dog” in your relationship with your LTD.  “It is our contention that if you take steps to ERISA-Proof your insurance claim before you must file a lawsuit for commencement or restoration of your benefits, you'll be treated fairly by the company and you won't have a need to sue. However, if you are compliant and quiet, the odds are you will get the Omega Pup treatment, and when you finally decide to fight you'll have no chance to win because of the screwy ERISA case law.”  Great advice with a ton of links and relevant information.  “So how do you snarl?”

classactionsedgwick – Yahoo group – “Anyone wrongfully denied benefits by Sedgwick CMS sign up to discuss class-action suit.”  For those of us that are victims of Sedgwick CMS as a third party claims administrator.