Customer Reviews

Multiple Sclerosis: Diagnosis, Medical Management, and Rehabilitation

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

 

 

Well, since my MS diagnosis three months ago, I've gone through every book on the subject in my provincial library system. I've not left a page unturned in pamphlets, booklets, newsletters, etc. I'm just so eager for information on the subject, I can't get enough of it. And the best for information advice? No argument, hands down, it's this book. Okay, so it's probably supposedly a medical textbook but it's so darn great for people with MS to read, too. As a matter of fact, I could understand it more readily than some books written for laypeople. It was no-nonsense in its approach to the matter, and certainly not biased one way or the other re treatments, medications, progressions, what-have-you. It's sub-title should've been "Everything you wanted to know about MS - and much much much more". A laywriter writing a book, usually a person with MS, concentrates on his or her own symptoms but this book covers a multitude of them and explains in detail. It's not just mentioned that a person may have (for example) "sensory symptoms". It explains what "sensory symptoms" are to the nth degree. Not many GP's know much about the history, treatments, symptoms, signs of MS. I wish my doctor had this book on his shelf. My first sit-down read of it lasted three hours and I only got quarter-way through - and this without missing out one page. The rest of it I can dip into over time. I felt reassured reading this book, comfortable even. Forewarned is forearmed they say, and this book is forearming me well!! - I'm not (so) scared now.

like the other reviewer, i've read just about everything on this topic, except a couple of the most expensive medical texts without reviews. this book is very well written. chapter authors read like a who's who in the field and offer, in my mind, a certain degree of instant credibility. topics are fairly thoroughly discussed. not only did i read it the first week i bought it, but i've consulted it at least once or twice a month since then for management suggestions, which probably could be provided in a more practical format for patients or busy physicians. i think that anyone with m.s. who has an interest in the biology behind it would benefit from reading it, although there are times when it put me to sleep with levels of detail that i hadn't had the training to understand (although with a second read i was usually able to figure out those "difficult parts"). you can't beat the used price and, frankly, i think it's worth the new price. while another reviewer had expressed disappointment that treatment was divided into relapsing and progressive forms, that really only occurs in 2 of the 36 chapters. two thumbs up! my biggest concern, at this point, is that most of the information is six to seven years old. neuroimaging techniques have advanced, medications have been introduced, removed, and re-introduced into the market, and general management procedures have changed since then. i'd buy an update (hint!).

This text is on the old side, however, of all the MS books I have read, this is the most comprehensive.