Customer Reviews

The Chronic Pain Management Sourcebook

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This was the first book that I bought here based upon reviews and recommendations that I felt absolutely burned by, and am returning. I guess it's fine--if you want to know what an arrogant medical establishment person (whose own worst pain has probably been a stubbed toe) really thinks of people in terrible pain.

I have had crippling pain for two years now that has completely ruined my life. So, I felt very enlightened being told that when my internist sends me to different specialists trying to get a diagnosis, by going along with this I am engaging in a behavior often seen in the chronic pain syndrome, whereby the patient obsessively tries to obtain a diagnosis rather than come to terms with the situation and move on in life. (I would move on if I could control the pain! Wouldn't anyone with a debilitating, life shattering illness want a diagnosis?) Or, being told that chronic pain sufferers are manipulative and like the benefits of being in pain. That they go from doctor to doctor just to get drugs and demand things. Sadly, I know he is not unique in the medical world believing these horrible things. However, I have gotten the impression that the dominant ideas in medicine about chronic pain are changing--slowly, for sure, but becoming more enlightened nonetheless. Surely there must be information out there that is more updated and humane than this. Only people who haven't suffered themselves could believe appalling trash of this nature. You can open this up at random to almost any page and feel insulted. How the other reviewer could say this book gave her hope is beyond me. For this to be called a "sourcebook" for people in chronic pain is almost cruel. It is an insult to people who are already suffering. We need helpful advice for coping with and dealing with our conditions. We don't need to be told that we're a bunch of manipulative sniveling whiners who need to just get over it.

Reading this book you know that some one understands and that you are not crazy and not alone. Reading this book made me realize that there are things that can be done and gave me some good ideas. It also reminded me that the pain isn't just physical, but also psychological and emotional. It gave me hope.

The Pain Management Sourcebook is an aptly titled book for all those (which is most of us) who suffer from some sort of chronic pain. Yes, it is true that you can live with chronic pain. . . because a lot of it is just not solvable! So let's learn to deal with it as effectively as we can. I found David Drum's book full of helpful advice on managing pain. He takes a look at all the different therapies available ~ not only physical remedies, but such effective techniques as meditation and stress relief. Drum makes the good point that stress makes pain worse ~ and comes up with good all-around ideas for controlling pain through emotional health. In addition, this handy reference book deals with drug therapy for prophylactic and acute needs, both prescription and over the counter. Drum even discusses what options might be available in the future for management of chronic pain.

The Sourcebook is written in plain standard English, with a good glossary and everything broken down into areas of interest to the pain sufferer . . . surgical options, kinds of pain disorders, nutrition. Every category will open the way for the reader to explore new avenues to travel in dealing with pain. I have tried some of his suggestions and they work! They are simple and effective.