Customer Reviews

Meeting the Challenge of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

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

 

 

I was a little disappointed in this book. It is actually smaller than I expected. The section on Current Therapies for Progres- sive MS is about two pages long and basically says.....there are, currently, no treatments for progressive MS. The rest of the book deals w/ symptom management, most of which I was already familiar with (which drugs were regularly prescribed for which complaints, gimmicks that were helpful in dealing w/ incontinence, how to incorporate a bowel regimen, etc.)
In other words, I found nothing new in this book: just a lot of things to do to make us feel like all is not lost. Unfortunately, filling my day with regimens and symptom management activities is not what I call Meeting the Challenge. I think of it more as surrendering to the Drudgery. The book didn't give me cause to feel hopeful nor did it give me any new information that I could take w/ me to my next neurologist appointment. I was disappointed.

One of the things I most liked about this book was precisely that it IS short - short and to the point. It is an excellent, comprehensive overview of Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) - for those newly diagnosed and for anyone who wants to ramp-up quickly on knowledge of and about this chronic disease. It is not a pointedly useful book for those searching for support or novel interventions. Indeed, it offers no inspiring stories or warm sentiments; no hugs in text form.

I found this book to be a quick and engaging read, with a dearth of fluff, and without verbosity. It let me know what pieces of information were relevant to PPMS that I might want to explore more deeply in separate texts. Most of all, I found the perfect text to recommend to people I personally wanted to understand the condition, that I wanted to have an accurate overview. It has served as a helpful gateway into discussions and questions, voicing of concerns on both sides. The book does all the "background work!"

This book is well researched, and organized. It is helpful, and supportive in coming to terms with a devastating diagnosis.I am buying a copy for a friend because, I have no intention of loaning mine out.