Customer Reviews

You Don't Have to Live with Cystitis

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I suffered from recurrent bladder infections and the excrutiating symptoms even without the presence of bacterial infection for many years. I had massive long term antibiotic therapy, surgical procedures and saw several urologists - all without relief. My mother gave me this book in 1988 and I am so grateful to her and to Dr. Gillespie. This book changed my life! I now understand my condition and can manage it. Many doctors are unaware of IC or believe it to be very rare (it's not as rare as they think!). I still get 1-2 infections a year, but that is heaven compared to what I used to suffer. I can't recommed this book highly enough!

I am the medical author of a book on kidney stones. Often, patients with cystitis can end up with struvite (or infection) kidney stones from frequent bladder infections resulting in kidney infections. These types of kidney stones have caused patients to die! Struvite stones can fill the entire kidney cavity. Dr. Larrian Gillespie's book is The #1 Resource for Women who want a better quality of life...and who want to separate fact from myth. If you are serious about preventing the continuation of this painful condition, then this book is for you! Dr. Gillespie is an outspoken advocate on women's health issues. Her understanding of the way women's bodies function, and the relationship of disease to nutrition makes this book a important addition to the intelligent woman's home library bookshelf. Also highly recommended for cnsumer medical libraries. I found the chapters and information on an anti-cystitis diet, an explanation of how anti-oxidants can help and a special chapter on how antibiotic treatment can affect your hormones outstanding. The book is also useful for understanding cystitis in children, during pregnancy and menopause. Dr. Gillespie's compassion for women, her wonderful sense of humor, and ability to teach patients in consumer-friendly language (not Dr. Speak!) make this THE book on cystitis!

While I would not seek out Dr. Gillespie as my physician, having read the previous review, I still think this book is invaluable. So, find a competant physician specializing in female urinary problems and schedule the appointment, but go ahead and buy this book while you are waiting. Its explanation of normal and abnormal bladder function, explanation of various treatment/diagnostic options -- some horrible ones I wish I had refused, and some fabulous ones I would never had known to ask for had I not read this book -- and its discussion of foods and beverages that can lead to pain make this book invaluable. Its instructions on what to do with baking soda were well worth many times the price. If you get repeated UTI's or have chronic IC... you need to own this book.

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I'm not aware of any IC support group leaders who currently suggest this book to newly diagnosed patients simply because it is older, out of date and provides information which, today, would be considered controversial. Spinal surgery, for example, is rarely considered today for interstitial cystitis and, of course, only for patients who have a proven spinal defect that could be influencing their bladder function. Rather, the most common therapies are non-surgical, such as the use rescue instillations, antihistamines, etc. etc.

The author certainly deserves credit for bringing the importance of diet to the forefront. She brought attention and publicity to the IC movement and helped to build awareness for IC.

For newly diagnosed patients looking for up to date information on IC, I strongly suggest the book "The IC Survival Guide" by Robert Moldwin MD (New Harbinger Publications), as a much better choice. It is written by a well respected doctor by both patients and the medical field. He is known world wide as a leader in the IC research movement and his book is the #1 recommended resource today by patient groups around the world.

As a medical student with bladder symptoms suggestive of interstitial cystitis, finding Dr. Gillespie's book was the best thing that has happened to me in the three years since i've had my symptoms! The information is accurate, up to date, and truly empowers patients with chronic illnesses to take control of their lives and break the vicious cycles of bladder problems that control so many women's lives. I use this book as a resource and guide book to living well with my disease and am now starting to employ her techniques with the help of my personal doctor who also praises her book for its accurate, common-sense, up to the minute information. The answers i could not find anywhere else are in this book. Reading it has changed my life!

This is a ground-breaking book written by a doctor who truly understands both bacterial and interstitial cystitis. Before the 1st edition of this book, the medical world was virtually silent on the subject, telling women it was all in their heads! Dr. Gillespie shows a deep understanding of the all-too-common and frequently mis-treated and/or over-medicated cystitis (urinary tract infection). Further, Dr. Gillespie virtually forced the medical world to learn about interstitial cystitis (IC) and to begin research into more humane and effective methods of treating it. Dr. G is a personal hero for me. Her book has provided guidance in my dealings with IC,where unfortunately most doctors still don't know what IC is. This book can help the patient to make decisions about treatments that can affect their body for many years to come. This book has helped me to minimize the occurrence of bacterial cystitis. And while my IC is incurable, this book has provided insight and helpful methods to make the condition less debilitating. Thanks for this ground-breaking book!!!

Dr. Gillespie is a pioneer in women's health issues. This book details the miracles that Dr. Gillespie produced in her urological practice. I should know as I am one of the patients she described in the "fictional" narratives in the book based on actual clients and successful treatments. Dr. Gillespie stresses the importance of the patient gaining control of disabling bladder ailments and explains how. She treated her patients as enlightened individuals. In her book, her respect for medecine, appropriate diets, natural treatments, and inner strength underline all of her suggestions on how to live well with a chronic illness.

If you have ever suffered from any type of bladder problems or pain, you won't want to miss this opportuntity to learn more about how to overcome some of the symptoms of the dreaded disease of Interstitial Cystitis. I was diagnosed with this condition in 1988 after four very long years of suffering and going from doctor to doctor. Then I met Larrian Gillespie and found that my symptoms weren't in my head as many of the other doctors had told me, but that indeed IC was my problem. After reading this wonderful book, I was able to put into practice many of the recommendations and lifestyle changes that she suggested. The diet hints were especially helpful, as many of my symptoms worsened when eating the wrong foods. Living with this condition is not easy, but with understanding from a kind and caring physician, making the required changes in your diet and lifestyle, it is a condition that you can live with. As a registered nurse, I appreciated the medical reasoning presented in this book, but even someone with no medical background will enjoy the wit and humor that Larrian has brought to this subject. I've learned to live with my condition and you can too. Don't miss this opportunity to help yourself to better health and less pain as a result of this sometimes debilitating disease. Thank you, Larrian so much for caring for the needs of so many, many suffers from this condition.

As an Interstitial Cystitis sufferer since 1987 I have read numerous books and articles. In my opinion, this is the best guide to better understand and help with a personal plan to battle this disease. I continually use this book as a guide and source of information. Anyone suffering from Interstitial Cystitis should put this on their "must have" list.

I found this book recommended on a site and bought it. I was going to have a hysterectomy but wisely decided against it after reading the information contained in the chapter on incontinence. This book told me what I needed to know to make the right decision for me. I was able to ask my doctor questions that made the surgery unecessary. This book saved me! Every woman with any bladder problems, regardless of age, should read this book. I'm glad I did. Dr Gillespie gives you the information to empower yourself.