The First Year: Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed [Paperback]

Claudia Craig Marek (Author)

Book Description

Series: The First Year | Publication Date: May 27, 2003

Fibromyalgia affects between three and six million Americans—80 percent of whom are women—yet remains one of the most difficult conditions to identify and diagnose. In the tradition of the other titles in the First Year series, The First Year—Fibromyalgia uses a unique approach—guiding readers through their first seven days following diagnosis, then the next three weeks of their first month, and finally the next eleven months of their first year—to provide answers and advice that will help everyone newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia come to terms with their condition and the lifestyle changes that accompany it. Starting with the day of diagnosis, patient-experts Florence and Marek provide vital information about the nature of fibromyalgia, choosing the right doctors, treatment options, psychological issues, holistic alternatives, self-management strategies, illustrative charts and tables, and much more. The First Year—Fibromyalgia will be a supportive and educational resource for everyone who wants to take an active role in the management of their condition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Includes special sections on dealing with chronic psychological effects like fibrofog, identifying fibromyalgia in children, and finding or starting a support group that works for you.

About the Author

CLAUDIA CRAIG MAREK, M.A., is a medical assistant who has counseled fibromyalgia patients for more than a dozen years and the co-author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia. She lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; First edition (May 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569245215
• ISBN-13: 978-1569245217
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is essential, for patients and supporters!, July 4, 2003

By 

Devin J. Starlanyl (W. Chesterfield, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First Year: Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (Paperback)

Fibromyalgia The First Year: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, by Claudia Craig Marek. This book is one of the most valuable tools a newly diagnosed fibromyalgia patient can own. The author is a care provider who works with a respected doctor specializing in fibromyalgia. She has fibromyalgia, and has raised two fibromyalgic sons. She has spent a great deal time listening to and observing patients, and doing her best to answer all who come to her with questions. Including me. Much of that knowledge she has gathered is within this book.

The book is separated into handy segments. You can learn what you need to know immediately and then build on it. There are explanations on common tests for co-existing conditions that may be adding to your problem. Some of these conditions that may profoundly impact your quality of life. Their descriptions are included,. and advice on how to ease their impact. There are sections on medical insurance, diet, vacations, raising children with fibromyalgia (and what to look for), support groups, work-related problems, and one of the best letters explaining fibromyalgia to others. The description of cognitive deficits (fibrofog), so difficult for us to describe to others, is clear and hits the mark. Here is someone who understands.

One of the biggest problems patients with fibromyalgia face is that it is poorly understood by others. The patient often has to spend valuable energy and time educating supporters and even care providers. This book provides ways to smooth the education process. She also explains many symptoms by giving examples, and they are ones that will resonate with fibromyalgia patients. This book is not just for the newly diagnosed. I believe that all patients with fibromyalgia, and their supporters would benefit greatly by reading this book.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and full of useful info!, June 8, 2003

By 

Amy H "Amy H" (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The First Year: Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (Paperback)

As the title indicates, this book is geared towards those who are new to fibromyalgia and are facing what I wrestled with when I was first diagnosed: eight million questions about what was happening to me, what do about it, and what my diagnosis meant to me and those around me. Ms. Marek does an excellent job of providing a comprehensive overview of everything I remember wanting to know the day a doctor told me I was one of the millions with fibromyalgia. How could I reduce and cope with pain and fatigue? Why in the *heck* was my body doing so many weird things? Did anyone else feel this way? How could I continue to live my life?

In spite of the book's orientation towards the newly diagnosed, I learned things I didn't know. Therefore, even those who have lived with this illness for a while can benefit from this book. I know I'll find it to be a useful reference to return to, and am happy to have it on my shelf.

What did I most love about this guide? The writing is clear and easy to follow. I'd describe it as conversational, as if Ms. Marek was having a private discussion with me. She illustrates the practical information with her personal experience (she too has fibromyalgia), as well as with the experiences of others.

This book is well-organized, and broken into manageable sections with section headings. If you are heavily fogged, you can read a little, bookmark it, come back to it later, and use the headings to remind yourself of what you were reading.

In addition to a wealth of practical information about managing fibromyalgia, Ms. Marek talks about the emotional aspects of living with the disease. She discusses how it affects not only the person with this illness, but those around them. She addresses things like denial and acceptance, and the role those play in our lives.

So many books I've read mainly talk about our physical symptoms and what to do about them. They hardly mention what it feels like emotionally to live with fibromyalgia. Ms. Marek speaks to the human being underneath the illness...the person who is struggling to maintain their identity in the face of a body that no longer works the way it used to.

In summary, this is a solid, well-written book that I wish someone had handed to me when I was diagnosed. As the title says, this is an Essential Guide.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is essential, for patients and supporters!, July 4, 2003

By 

Devin J. Starlanyl (W. Chesterfield, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First Year: Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (Paperback)

Fibromyalgia The First Year: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, by Claudia Craig Marek. This book is one of the most valuable tools a newly diagnosed fibromyalgia patient can own. The author is a care provider who works with a respected doctor specializing in fibromyalgia. She has fibromyalgia, and has raised two fibromyalgic sons. She has spent a great deal time listening to and observing patients, and doing her best to answer all who come to her with questions. Including me. Much of that knowledge she has gathered is within this book.

The book is separated into handy segments. You can learn what you need to know immediately and then build on it. There are explanations on common tests for co-existing conditions that may be adding to your problem. Some of these conditions that may profoundly impact your quality of life. Their descriptions are included,. and advice on how to ease their impact. There are sections on medical insurance, diet, vacations, raising children with fibromyalgia (and what to look for), support groups, work-related problems, and one of the best letters explaining fibromyalgia to others. The description of cognitive deficits (fibrofog), so difficult for us to describe to others, is clear and hits the mark. Here is someone who understands.

One of the biggest problems patients with fibromyalgia face is that it is poorly understood by others. The patient often has to spend valuable energy and time educating supporters and even care providers. This book provides ways to smooth the education process. She also explains many symptoms by giving examples, and they are ones that will resonate with fibromyalgia patients. This book is not just for the newly diagnosed. I believe that all patients with fibromyalgia, and their supporters would benefit greatly by reading this book.