Desperation Medicine [Paperback]

Ritchie C. Shoemaker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2001

For 10 million patients suffering from chronic illnesses caused by biotoxins coming from our changing environment, reading this book will be the first step to recovery. From chronic Lyme Disease, sick building syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and more, to illnesses caused by neurotoxins from Pfiesteria, ciguatera, cylindromspermopsis and chattonella, the spectrum of chronic toxin-mediated illness is vast. Physicians can't diagnose the illnesses with standard blood tests -- and antibiotics don't work. A new biomarker, visual contrast sensitivity (VCS), successfully identifies the presence of the effect of neurotoxins. New treatment protocols, described in detail, lead to successful resolution of symptoms and the VCS deficit. These illnesses are environmental in origin and the politics of denial are summarized in the chapter, "The Appearance of Good Science". The case histories are true and the patients are real. The science is rock solid. The book serves as a warning to all of us as our environment is changed by the chemical age. The good news for long suffering patients everywhere is that successful diagnosis and treatment of these destructive illnesses is now at hand! The good news for practicing physicians is that a recently discovered biomarker can rapidly pinpoint the true cause of symptoms which are now being incorrectly blamed on such vaguely defined conditions as depression, fibromyalgia, stress and irritable bowel syndrome.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Most comprehensive review of chronic neurotoxin illnesses published to date." -- Robert Bransfield, M.D.

"Simply superb! Should be required reading for all physicians and anyone who is tired." -- Arthur Raines, M.D.

"Worthwhile reading!" -- Pat Smith, Lyme Disease Association

About the Author

Ritchie C. Shoemaker, M.D., named the "Maryland Family Practice Physician of the Year, 2000", has published numerous articles in medical journals and other publications on "chronic, neurotoxin-mediated illness," and his discoveries are now changing the way science thinks about disease. Trained as a molecular biologist at Duke University, Dr. Shoemaker used the experience he gained during 20 years of Family Practice to open the window on a frightening new disease threat now emerging from our chemically polluted environment.

Along the way, he fought numerous political battles with entrenched State and local public bureaucracies (along with the powerful CDC) who were intent on denying the existence of these new pollution-linked diseases.

Desperation Medicine reflects Dr. Shoemaker's broad, multi-dimensional approach to science. While exploring topics as varied as wetlands ecology, the genetic basis of cell functioning, philosophy from the Ancient Greeks to the Moderns, and the interactions of populations, the author raises disturbing new questions about the relationship between social ethics and disease.

Crafted from Ritchie Shoemaker's wide-ranging interests and his willingness to challenge existing dogma, Desperation Medicine is based on a fundamental principle: "The key to understanding is casting out false knowledge!"

Ritchie Shoemaker, M.D., is the author of two previous books on science and health: Pfiesteria: Crossing Dark Water, and Weight Loss and Maintenance: My Way Works.

Product Details

• Paperback: 500 pages
• Publisher: Gateway Press; 2nd edition (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966553519
• ISBN-13: 978-0966553512
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #601,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Desperately Sick, May 20, 2003

By 

wanna be dancin (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desperation Medicine (Paperback)

After fighting for four years with every kind of diagnosis from chronic fatigue syndrome, Fibro, MS, hypogammaglobulemnia and even Lyme disease, I just knew there had to be more ! More research, more informed physicians, more hope.
I drove over 3500 miles round trip to see Dr. Shoemaker and I have finally found my hope...I started reading this book on my trip home and was not able to put it down. I found the style of writing to be very refreshing for what could be a research intense topic. I never felt intimidated by medical jargon and found Dr. Shoemakers explainations of his research to make perfect sense. He was telling me my symptoms before I even told him and we are discovering that I've been carrying around a coagulase negative staph infection for at least four years. And yet not one of the other doctors, even the Mayo Clinic bothered to do the testing required to find a cause for my pain and illness. Dr. Shoemaker was troubled by my lab results and felt that by all logic, it was surprising that I was still alive.
But now we have a plan of action and I know that although it won't be easy, there is at least logic explainations for illnesses that other doctors choose to ignore...Shame on them. I wish I could buy every doctor in America this book by Dr. Shoemaker.........
A MUST BUY for anyone who has unexplainable symptoms........
Peg

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars RENEWED HOPE, August 25, 2001

By 

THERESA GILL (LITHIA, FLORIDA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desperation Medicine (Paperback)

I HAVE LYMES DISEASE, AND HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED BY THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE WHOLE DISEASE. FINALLY SOMEOME HAS BROKEN DOWN LYMES IN TWO DISTINCT CATERGORIES THAT ARE TREATABLE. THE FIRST BEING NEUROTOXIN MEDIATED ILLNESS AND THE OTHER A BACTERIAL INFECTION. CONGRATULATIONS DR. RITCHIE SHOEMAKER FOR ALL YOU COMPASSION AND PIONEERING THOUGHT. I WOULD RECCOMEND THIS BOOK FOR ANYONE WHO LIKE ME HAD WAS LOST IN THE SEA OF PRESCRIPTIONS FOR EVERY SYMPTOM. THERESA GILL

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Covers more than just Lyme disease, March 27, 2003

By 

Linda Jones (Nebraska) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Desperation Medicine (Paperback)

Although the book rambles somewhat in a story telling way, it covers useful information about a treatment option that many people with Lyme, CFS, FM, MCS, ADHD, Sick Building Syndrome and many other disorders that Shoemaker classifies as neurotoxin mediated illnesses may benefit from. I wish the book covered in more detail the exact methods and testing procedures that he uses, because from information I've learned elsewhere he does more than just test with the Contrast Sensitivity Test and give cholestyramine to his patients. But the book is a good starting point to learn about his theories.