Customer Reviews

Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know (Living Well (Collins))

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I got my copy and sat down and read every word right away (not having a fibro-fog day today!), and had to come over here right now to write this. All I can say is, "WOW!" But I really wish I had this book 4 years ago when I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It only took me 3 doctors over 2 years to get diagnosed...hah...I'm one of the lucky ones I guess. I wish I had this book, because the overview of symptoms would have already helped me cut to the chase and go right to a doctor who would figure this out more quickly. As it was, I went to my primary care doctor, and an infectious disease guy, and an orthopedics doctor, and even a chiropracter, before I finally saw a holistic doctor who specialized in fibromyalgia. Even then, I was so tired, and everything hurt really bad, and the last thing in the world I could stand was the idea of having to start surfing a hundred different web sites and books trying to figure out what I should be doing. Even though I had a good doctor, he didn't have much time to explain everything.

Mary Shoman did all the homework that I would like to have done when I was so sick, but when you're flat on your back on the couch and you can barely move, it's kind of hard to do much. She talks about regular drugs, vitamins, herbs, diet, alternative things you can do, and includes a list of experts from around the country who specialize in treating fibromyalgia and CFIDS. There's a long list of web sites -- I'm going to start checking them out as soon as I finish writing this review -- and suport groups even.

I've read a few of the books on fibromyalgia and they were pretty good, but this one really made sense to me. It doesn't tell me that one particular thing will cure me, but it goes through how I can find out what's going to work best for me. And it was really good to see that I'm already doing some of the things she talks about in the book, so that tells me that my doctor and I aren't totally off base. I'm about 75% back to where I was before I got fibro, but I want to feel 100%.

I can't wait to bring it in to my doctor to talk about some more things we might be able to try that I read about!

This book is definitely worth reading for its broad coverage. It begins with an overview of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM). Risk factors and symptoms are discussed, a checklist is presented, and the issues of diagnosis (including the need to rule out other conditions that present with similar symptoms) are addressed.

The author then turns her attention to aetiology and treatment options. As far as aetiology is concerned, all the usual suspects (and then some) are covered: infections (mycoplasma, chlamydia, borrelia burgdorferi [Lymes], herpesviruses [e.g., HHV-6], "stealth" viruses, candida albicans ["yeast'], even Q-fever), immune dysfunction (autoimmunity, Th1/Th2 imbalance, low NK levels), endocrine and HPA disorders (hypoadrenalism, hypothyroidism, "thyroid resistance", HGH [growth hormone] deficiency), CNS and ANS dysfunction, allergies and chemical sensitivities (food allergies, airborne allergens, neurotoxins, heavy metals, mercury), musculoskeletal factors (trigger points, post-traumatic FM) and sleep disorders.

Among the treatments discussed are antibiotics (ciprofloxacin [Cipro], erythromycin, acyclovir, fluconazole [Diflucan]) and botanicals (garlic, olive leaf extract, echinechia, caprylic acid) for infections, hormone supplementation (HGH, thyroid [Armour, Cytomel], adrenal [Cortef, prednisone]) for endocrine and HPA disorders, immune modulators and allergen avoidance or desensitization for problems involving the immune system, detoxification treatments (removal of dental amalgams, chelation), trigger-point massage for musculoskeletal problems, and the use of mineral and vitamin supplements (magnesium, B-12, and ascorbic acid, to mention the more important ones) for improving overall metabolic function.

The book concludes with chapters on finding (and working with) a knowledgeable doctor, and on creating a comprehensive plan for improved health.

Although coverage in this book is very broad, it is not particularly deep; do not expect penetrating discussions concerning the ins and outs of specific treatments. However, if you are seeking interesting and useful tidbits that can be followed up in greater depth elsewhere, this book is an excellent source with the flavor of good journalism or of an informative and useful website. It should, perhaps, be noted that "Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia" is one of three "Living Well" books written by Mary J. Shomon.

Jeffrey Owen Katz, Ph.D.

P.S. My wife has fibromyalgia and so I read almost every book on the subject that I can find as well as engage in original research.

Just finished reading the book and feel very charged up. The information provided is well organized and well reasoned and it makes sense! I'm actually believing again that it is possible to live well with fibromyalgia.

Although I have neither of these conditions, I know people who do. This book has given me great insight for which I'm grateful. Ms. Shomon has done it again -- written a book that makes sense and educates without being dry and boring. Thank you!

This was the first book I read when I became ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Sept. 2004, and it provided me with eye-opening insights into my disorder as well as sobering, but realistic expectations of the difficulties involved in the healing process. Additionally, it outlines the dysfunctions involved in this disorder as well as how to treat and cope with these.
Overall, I found the book to be a rich and helpful source of information for anyone suffering from this condition.
I would suggest complementing this book with others, however, as it isn't an all-inclusive source of information on CFIDS. Additionally, research has taught me that CFIDS/Fibromyalgia aren't conditions in and of themselves, but often manifestations of other illnesses, including Lyme Disease. For treatment of either condition to be effective, possibilities of other illnesses should be investigated and ruled out.
Finally, this book, as most others dealing with CFIDS, did not deal much with past emotional trauma and how this can be stored in the body and manifest as physical illness. For anyone who suspects that this factor has played a role in the development of his/her illness, finding information that deals with this aspect of healing is absolutely vital for recovery.

The author presents the reader with an Aladdin's Cave of information. However, with only a cursery attempt at analysing the growing body of evidence as to the aetology and pathophysiology of these illnesses, newcomers to FM/CFS are left to determine that which is credible for themselves. With the gathering mountain of clinical and scientific understanding of FM/CFS now available it is disappointing that a book of this recency hasn't taken a more considered and focused approach. Veterans of FM/CFS will be disappointed; newcomers will struggle to determine the wood from the trees.

This book seems to be cobbled together from Teitelbaum and various Web sites. It's broad and superficial. Major issues, such as the treatment of hormonal imbalances, are glossed over with a couple of sentences. Worst of all, she describes the relationship between depression and CFIDS and FMS as a "chicken-egg" thing--everyone who gets these was already depressed. There's no evidence whatsoever for this assertion, and saying it in a book damages advocacy and holds us back much in the same way as the dreaded moniker CFS.

While Ms Shomon's book quotes several CFS doctors, she relies mainly on Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum's advice which includes a barrage of vitamins. His book is titled "From Fatigued to Fantastic" and he wrote the introduction to Ms. Shomon's. It bothers me that Ms. Shomon presents many alternative therapies that are highly suspect and cost prohibitive for the most of us. However, she speaks from experience having suffered from CFS. It bothers me that she does not mention Kutapressin, an amino acid injection that my doctor and many others in the field use.

I don't believe in writing negative reviews unless they're really useful. I ordered this book based on all the good things I'd read about it. As I read it I wondered if these reviewers had read the same book! It's a dense and not terribly readable listing of all the readily researched material on CFS and fibromyalgia. Nothing in it is helpful.

I had borrowed this book from the library, but when I saw it on Amazon for a reasonable price, I bought it and returned the one to the library. I wanted to be able to refer to it over and over, as I have been recently diagnosed and have several different books that I am reading and like to compare information in them. I knew this would be a good book before I purchased it, because I really liked it when I got it from the library. Anyone with FM or symptoms suggesting they may have it should buy this book. If you do have FM or something like it, you know sitting at the computer for any length of time can be very painful, whereas if you have the book, you can sit in your comfy chair, bed, or wherever is the most comfortable for you. I HIGHLY recommend this book! Just make sure you have a pen or pencil and paper clips to mark pages and paragraphs you will want to refer back to. It's full of valuable information!