Multiple Sclerosis: The Facts You Need (Your Personal Health) [Paperback]

Paul O'Connor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1999 | Series: Your Personal Health

Multiple sclerosis -- MS -- strikes about one in a thousand North Americans, usually in early adulthood, when they are building careers and starting families. Because the disease involves the central nervous system, its effects are wide-ranging and difficult to predict.

Multiple Sclerosis: The Facts You Need -- part of the Your Personal Health Series -- is a fact filled, comprehensive guide to living with MS, supported by diagrams, case histories, a drug table and an extensive list of helpful books and organizations. Topics include:

• what MS is, and who gets it;
• how MS is diagnosed as "possible," "probable" or "definite";
• why the disease affects different people in different ways;
• how "relapsing-remitting" MS differs from "progressive" MS;
• how people with MS and their families, can adapt their homes, careers and lifestyles to cope with the disease;
• which treatments work, which don't and what help is on the horizon.

Combining authoritative medical advice and practical hands-on tips, Multiple Sclerosis: The Facts You Need is an invaluable guide for anyone affected, directly or indirectly by this complex disease.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

OConnor, who has treated multiple sclerosis (MS) patients for over 15 years, presents an authoritative, reliable, up-to-date overview of this disease and its treatment. He discusses technical information in an understandable style; for instance, when describing the nervous system, he writes, Think of billions of interconnected electrical wires creating a system of linkages of unimaginable complexity. The human nervous system is exactly that. Besides being very readable, the book is up-to-date regarding the newest therapies (including alternative treatments) used to treat MS. OConnor explains how to cope with its symptoms (fatigue, numbness, shaking, tremors) and includes a drug chart, a glossary of terms, and a list of support organizations. Other titles on the topic, such as David Carroll and Jon Dudley Dormans Living Well with MS (LJ 5/15/93), are helpful but somewhat dated. OConnors is the ideal book for the newly diagnosed MS patient, family members, and other interested readers. Highly recommended for all general collections.Mary J. Nickum, Bozeman, MT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

STARRED REVIEW: Well-conceived and -written volume... with great sensitivity to the realities of dealing with MS. (Jeffrey S. Fedan Science Books and Films )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books; Later Printing edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552093670
• ISBN-13: 978-1552093672
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,770,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent current information! Clear and easy to read., July 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Multiple Sclerosis: The Facts You Need (Your Personal Health) (Paperback)

Since my diagnosis with MS only a few weeks ago I searched for current information regarding this disease. I was pleased to find this book. It is extremely informative and answered many of my questions. To help you decide for yourself I have listed the table of contents.

Acknowledgments, Chapter 1: What is MS? Chapter 2: What Causes MS? Chapter 3: How Does MS Affect You? Chapter 4: How Is MS Diagnosed? Chapter 5: Managing MS Symptoms Chapter 6: Treating the Disease: Present & Future Chapter 7: Social Aspects of MS Chapter 8: A Final Word Table of Drug Names, Glossary, Further Resources, Index

Again, I appreciated the quick reading of the book, the fact that the information is so current, the clarity of topics and all of the information given. This is a great resource to have and I have already referred back to it a few times.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific resource, October 2, 2001

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Multiple Sclerosis: The Facts You Need (Your Personal Health) (Paperback)

I bought this book two days after being diagnosed - it was so helpful in understanding what was going on, how to deal with specific symptoms, what to watch out for, etc. It also explained the treatments - from the steroids to the ABC drugs. I sent sopies to my mom and dad because they were freaking out over the whole diagnosis and I didn;t have enough strength for all of us. Knowledge is power and this one gives really good, up to date info - something critical in managing this disease.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great resource, September 5, 2001

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Multiple Sclerosis: The Facts You Need (Your Personal Health) (Paperback)

i was diagnosed w/ MS last friday and my doctor basically spent 20 minutes total with me - that included looking at my final mris, doing a reflex test, throwing 4 perscriptions at me and saying yes, you have MS, go talk to the nurse to get IV steroids started. it was a terrible experience but i gladly had already ordered this book and a few others from Amazon and this one in particular i read from cover to cover to try to understand what was happening and what the next steps are. it gives a good overview of what ms is, how its diagnosed, what the causes are thought to be, managing and treating the disease according to symptoms as well as the interferon drugs, and it ends on a hopeful note which i needed at the time. this disease stinks but knowldge really helps you feel a sense of being in control rather than a victim. after reading it i sent copies to my parents to help them understand more too.