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Washington
1 review
15 helpful votes
Follow Eric N.
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The administrator hit me with a heavy hand when posting a link to an accredited college, when I asked about it I was hit even harder, then hit with a different penalty for having part of my user name the same as my email address. This person was vindictive in her tone, even to a polite response. They have a lot of guests on there but very little interaction between members, it seems obvious that it's due to the iron fist moderation. What's really too bad is there are a lot of people struggling with real health issues and it keeps members from offering genuine support.

Date of experience: August 22, 2016
Nevada
1 review
3 helpful votes
Follow Ken C.
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I LOVE HealthBoards.com
It is one of the very few forums that are kept clean from the common vulgarities and general nastiness that often results from open forums.

If you do want a free for all environment, you will want to use some other website. That's fine with me. I see no reason to have to endure people acting out on a public forum.

Date of experience: August 15, 2018
Alabama
1 review
19 helpful votes
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I registered and got banned on my first post! I politely asked for peoples experience about elimination diets and stated I intended to create a 100% free app to help people with their elimination diets. About 5 minutes after posting that, I was banned from the entire forum and my post was deleted. The reason given was "no projects" When I asked where is that in forum rules I was provided documentation that says all bans are private and final. I searched and no such rule exists. Nothing even close.
Who ever runs this really doesn't appear to give a damn about helping people.

I'm not alone. Google "banned from healthboards" and you'll see a distinct pattern here.

Date of experience: October 1, 2016
Wisconsin
2 reviews
8 helpful votes
Follow cjg g.
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"This isn't a consensus website; please state your own viewpoint only to the thread originator (do not post that you agree with others that share similar views).

Do not discuss or mention other members or their replies except on their own threads."

I wrote back to ask the administrator what they mean by "this isn't a consensus website" I asked if they, instead, could be straightforward and specific.

Date of experience: January 4, 2019
Virginia
6 reviews
24 helpful votes
Follow Bill T.
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I was sharing articles and patents on how cannabis oil (RSO) can treat lyme disease. I only linked to one article. Then they banned my account. This site is motivated by big pharma and they do not want people to get well. I hate this site. It is full of spam ads and even try to get you to fill out surveys after you register. What a joke.

Date of experience: May 16, 2016
Iowa
1 review
13 helpful votes
Follow Marilyn H.
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I posted some info in regards to a health issue... nothing in regards to selling anything and I was banned. The admins there are over-the-top and the board is pretty useless if you go by their overly strict rules which make little sense.

Date of experience: February 12, 2016
Nevada
1 review
6 helpful votes
Follow Cissy C.
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Isn't it a fact that "freedom of speech ends where private property begins"? That the word 'speech' has been translated to mean 'any kind of action that anyone wants to take', doesn't make it true. The way I see it is that agreement to a website's rules is a binding agreement to the terms of use. Otherwise why can the owners of Facebook dare to shut down some registrations simply based on content?

Date of experience: May 5, 2017
Massachusetts
1 review
19 helpful votes
Follow Mark O.
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I had been contributing to the board about a health problem of mine and helping others for several weeks. Another user posted a request for information about exercises that could be done while wearing a cast. I had found a very helpful Youtube video showing such exercises and posted a link to it. I am used to being able to post helpful links on forums and did not even imagine that there could be a rule against that, especially when the content is helpful, does not benefit me personally, and is targeted to another users needs. I was given an immediate one-week ban from the website. When I protested, I was banned permanently. The website pretends to be about helping people with health issues but is really about monopolizing ad revenue from users and gives the moderator a platform for power trips and abuse.

Date of experience: November 1, 2015
Canada
2 reviews
8 helpful votes
Follow D M.
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The site is great. They don't hassle you or try to get money from you if you don't want to pay. The users have been super helpful in navigating all the info on the web. Once you find people on their you can trust, it's really good.

Date of experience: June 13, 2016
GB
1 review
11 helpful votes
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Warned for posting a website, from a clinical source, that clearly identified the success and risks of a surgical procedure. This information was clearly, accurately and concisely written, and there was no copyright or commercial issues whatsoever.

Was warned, rather vaguely. I queried this. Was then banned:

"Doesn't like rules."

I do like rules, a great deal. Especially the one that says:

Amendment I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The users are wonderful. The staff? Puffed, taciturn and wary.

Date of experience: September 4, 2017
Utah
1 review
15 helpful votes
Follow Diane T.
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I was kicked off this website for referring to a video that was on the page I was posting on. It's not a website for info--they won't let you post any real information on new surgery's or Drs performing new procedures. It's mostly a website to whine about your problems without finding a solution. There are other websites that allow real information that I would use. It's very sad they get to call them selves health boards... Because you aren't allowed t to share real information...

Date of experience: February 4, 2016
Tennessee
1 review
11 helpful votes
Follow S R.
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I couldn't post after joining because I never got the activation link. It finally arrived days later and I decided to post only to find out I was immediately banned for advertising! No, I was posting about drugs I was taking. I'm not selling anything. Never have I seen such an unprofessional forum.

Date of experience: May 7, 2017
California
1 review
14 helpful votes
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Amazing site
May 28, 2014

Amazing site. I tried to help a poor woman who was panicking over her child's very normal puberty changes. I made the mistake of posting a link to WebMD which the moderators called a "commercial sales site". Apparently accurate information and sensible advice is not considered appropriate for this forum. I hope they don't get anyone killed with their irresponsible medical advice. After I created an account, I also started to get a ton of spam which makes me regret the experience even more.

Date of experience: May 28, 2014
GB
1 review
11 helpful votes
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Horrible experience
September 18, 2016

In a nut shell i posted seeking help on coming off ssri drugs. In thd post i mentioned that i had suffered greatlly in which time i considered taking my own life at times. That was as personal as i got. I received an email from the mod explaining that i was not to use such references as it could upset people and i was banned. There i was seeking help and was shamed and discriminated against. Awful

Date of experience: September 18, 2016
North Carolina
1 review
12 helpful votes
Follow Jay G.
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Site is covered with advertisements, even after signing up. They keep you from linking out to any other sites, this stops people from linking to things that might have helpful information. Moderator/Administrator was rude.

Date of experience: December 30, 2013
Canada
1 review
17 helpful votes
Follow a b.
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Nonsensical
September 17, 2015

I asked a question about Plan B on a board and had my post deleted for "references to abortion." I thought there had been some mistake, and emailed the moderator/admin to correct it. He wrote back and said that I had discussed termination of a pregnancy which was not allowed. Nowhere in my post did I state I was pregnant, as I was not. I simply made an inquiry if anyone had used Plan B. I stated this, and he then banned me outright for being "argumentative". It was the strangest exchange ever. I still have no idea what they're smoking over there (and besides, even if I was discussing abortion - it is a medical procedure that relates to one's health so I am confused as to why it is forbidden to discuss it). Plus, there are tons of posts that still remain on the board inquiring about Plan B that have not been deleted. Very perplexing indeed. I think the moderators must enjoy being very rude, judging by my experience and the other reviews I've read here.

Date of experience: September 17, 2015
Tennessee
9 reviews
14 helpful votes
Follow Bev S.
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I was banned due to a website submission. I realized it was solely my fault for doing so. Although, I thought I'd put my site in my profile only. Well regardless of where I put it, if they do not allow web links, it is what it is... I own up to my error. So sorry, I did that, as I will miss the community. Most were very helpful and concerned; I enjoyed the awesome tips. I would highly recommend this board to anyone. Just make sure you read their terms of service agreement and abide fully by it... You should be okay. Take care everyone and blessings!

Date of experience: October 20, 2015
Illinois
4 reviews
15 helpful votes
Follow Missy M.
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This has got to be one of the worst message boards out there. I have been a member for many years and have gotten temporary suspensions from time to time for absolutely nothing major. This time I got a suspension notice for doing something I absolutely did not do. It made me angry and I let the admin know about it so I am now permanently suspended because I disagreed with them lying and told them so. I wish everyone would boycott this site because they have done this to so many people it is ridiculous.

Date of experience: August 17, 2013
Washington
4 reviews
20 helpful votes
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It is nearly impossible to read the complete document of rules and retain all of them. I, also belong to a couple of other boards having to do with breast cancer. As an 8 year survivor, I wanted to reach out and help another go through the process. I am almost 70 and at this age, I am not interested in spamming, hacking, or advertising. I was placed on suspension within a very short period of time. The admin. Seem to focus more on their punitive rules and regulations that offering a place for members to gather, get information, and support. It hurt me to be accused of breaking-the-rules and being suspended for unknowingly stumbling. I truly don't understand how they remain relevant. Thankfully, other sites are not like this one. Rude, impertinent, and impudent, existing only for finding fault. I would love to have a psychiatrist take a look at this bunch as a whole. Sad little people, hiding behind a curtain pulling strings.

Date of experience: March 20, 2014
New Jersey
1 review
17 helpful votes
Follow Chris H.
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This website is HORRIBLE. They ban you for made up rules or some minor detail lost in pages and pages of rules. Can't believe any advertisers stay with them. And, they won't even let you unsubscribe or erase your posts. They do this to make the site look bigger than it really is. STAY AWAY.

If I could give it zero stars, I would!

Date of experience: May 1, 2014

Overview

HealthBoards has a rating of 1.4 stars from 51 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers dissatisfied with HealthBoards most frequently mention and medical advice. HealthBoards ranks 359th among Forum sites.

service
3
value
3
shipping
1
returns
1
quality
3