This solution works if you are using asp.net validators:
<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">
function disableButton(sender,group)
{
Page_ClientValidate(group);
if (Page_IsValid)
{
sender.disabled = "disabled";
__doPostBack(sender.name, '');
}
}</script>
and change the button:
<asp:Button runat="server" ID="btnSendMessage" Text="Send" OnClick="btnSendMessage_OnClick" OnClientClick="disableButton(this,'theValidationGroup')" CausesValidation="true" ValidationGroup="theValidationGroup" />