Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for Patients and Their Families [Paperback]

Daniel J. Wallace (Author), J. B. Wallace (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0195149319 | ISBN-13: 978-0195149319 | Edition: 1

Fibromyalgia is a form of chronic neuromuscular pain, a pain-amplification syndrome brought on by abnormal interactions between hormones, the immune system, neurotransmitters, and the autonomic nervous system, that afflicts six million Americans every year. Often misdiagnosed, and widely misunderstood, the majority of patients are turned away from doctors or treated for depression. This guide offers expert advice to sufferers of this painful syndrome and gives them the education they need to get the help they require but rarely get.

In their earlier books, Making Sense of Fibromyalgia and All About Fibromyalgia, noted medical writer Janice Wallace and Dr. Daniel Wallace, a leading expert on this disorder, provided comprehensive guides--for both patients and professionals--to this little known and poorly understood syndrome. Now, in Fibromyalgia, the Wallaces provide an inviting and succinct version of the syndrome they have studied, laid out in clear and accessible language. The authors provide a clear, concise explanation of the syndrome and its symptoms, and also outline the recent advances in treatments.

Fibromyalgia addresses a desperate need for concise, accessible information on this syndrome and offers reassurance to patients and their families.

Editorial Reviews

Review

On previous edition:"Dr. Wallace has treated hundreds of fibromyalgia sufferers, and he clears up much misunderstanding about a disease that has sent six million Americans to doctors with complaints that often get them turned away or treated for depression.... Apart from his clear descriptions of the basic science behind the disorder and the new drug treatments available, Dr. Wallace emerges as a strong advocate for those plagued by it."--The New York Times

About the Author

Daniel J. Wallace, M.D. has served as Clinical Chief of Rheumatology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine and has treated hundreds of victims of fibromyalgia. J. B. Wallace is a freelance medical writer. Together, they have written two acclaimed books on fibromyalgia: Making Sense of Fibromyalgia and All About Fibromyalgia, both by OUP.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (April 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195149319
• ISBN-13: 978-0195149319
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good buy., April 21, 2003

By 

Janine Panna (Greentown, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for Patients and Their Families (Paperback)

This is an excellent book. Don't be intimidated by the science. It's good as a reference for the fibro patient. I have fibro myself and it helped me to understand the disease and how to help myself.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Concise Book Great for Patients & Family, May 24, 2006

By 

Bookwormus Read-Alotus "Diana" (CHARLOTTE, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for Patients and Their Families (Paperback)

I loved this book. As a FMS sufferer of 2 years now I'm still at times struggling to cope and understand and accept this illness. This book was great, it was written in such a clear consise manner that didn't talk down to me! This book is wonderful also for sharing with family and friends when they have questions. It doesn't overwhelm you with tons of overly detailed information. If you want that you can get "Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual" (2nd Edition) by Devin J. Starlanyl which is the bible on FMS. I love Devin's books too, but they can be quite mind boggling reading for a friend or relative who wants to know more about the illness without overexposure! *LOL*

As a former librarian and researcher by nature (I had to quit my beloved job due to the severity of FMS along with arthritis, migraines, PCOS, etc) I have read more than twenty some books on FMS/CFIDS, living with chronic illnesses, etc and this book along with Cladia Craig Marek's "Fibromyalgia the First Year" has become one of my two favorites! The writing is so easy to understand and I even found out new information that I hadn't come across before on medications, symptoms and new theories on what's behind the cause of FMS.

Do make this book part of your personal library on FMS. It is qutie definetly worth the cost!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars ., July 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for Patients and Their Families (Paperback)

I would give the book more stars if it was openly listed as an update of their earlier book, "Making Sense of Fibromyalgia." There is very little difference in the two books. On it's own, it's a good resource for understanding current thoughts on the causes for the symptoms, medical and complementary treatments, and ways to minimize its effect on your life.