Customer Reviews

Your Symptoms Are Real: What to Do When Your Doctor Says Nothing Is Wrong

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Dr. Natelson has done a real service for all those with "invisible illnesses" like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and IBS, as well as those with undiagnosed symptoms. In the book, he explains why a disconnect exists between patients with these disorders and their doctors and how to overcome it. Then he provides a practical approach to dealing with symptoms, including specific treatments that are backed up by research and experiential data. Complementary treatments are included as well, with practical, real-life strategies that will help you feel better and improve functioning. There may be no cure for many of the illnesses he addresses, but if you are looking for a concise, sensible handbook to help in dealing with the various symptoms, this is it. I've had CFS and Fibromyalgia for 14 years, and oh, how I wish I had had this book years ago to help manage my illness.

This is not a book for someone who wants to learn about how to fight chronic fatigue syndrome using all sorts of alternative therapies. It's clear Dr. Natelson is not a fan of much of what is promoted as treatment for ME/CFS. But that's of little matter. Dr. Natelson is a thorough, professional and highly compassionate physician/researcher who has obviously thought about this subject deeply.

First he takes the reader on a fascinating journey into the realm of a doctor encountering this mysterious and frustrating disease. As he winds his way through the possible causes and treatments for FM and ME/CFS he carefully explains why he does and does not use embrace one treatment or another. An engaging writer, he draws us skillfully and painlessly into the complex world of ME/CFS research. A prolific researcher, towards the end of the book we gain some intriguing insights into his latest findings and some new therapies I haven't seen discussed before.

Dr. Natelson's views may not fit everyone (not unusual in this field!) but when physician of his experience speaks (and he speaks very well) everyone should give him a listen. All in all a thoroughly engaging and above all educational book by one of our foremost researchers and physicians.

I found this book to be a welcome new addition to the many that I have read in the past decade covering neuro/immune/ muscular type illnesses. It addresses issues that relate to those initially dealing with symptoms,to those diagnosed who struggle to cope with adapting to the many changes that occur and the management of ongoing symptoms. Being diagnosed over ten years ago after a long frustrating path of disabling illness, I wish that I had this book when few if any were available on M.E.,CFIDS/FM,etc..
Dr. Natelson imparts a hopeful and optimistic attitude to the patient who is weary of dealing with a skeptical medical field. Particuarly, the chapters which outline options for those wanting to exercise to maintain their independence and abilities; he is measured and practical keeping in mind the fear of flares or relapse potential if pushed beyond one's limitations. This book is filled with a blend of past and present treatments and research information. It is a rational, measured approach by one who has listened. observed and studied this area for many years. It is definitely well worth one's time and energy. Sue
( New Jersey)

Dr. Natelson has written a much needed book on unexplained illnesses. The book empowers both the patient and the doctor. He helps the patient to determine if their current doctor is the right match for them, and he explains the qualities a patient should look for in a doctor. He explains his step-by-step diagnosis procedure and enumerates medications that might help symptoms, all supported by research. He discusses complimentary medicine that might help, and the pitfalls that vulnerable patients might fall into with ads of "miracle cures". He even helps the patient to be pro-active by improving their symptoms through diet and through a very graduated exercise program. At the end, he discusses latest research findings.

Even though Dr. Natelson's book is helpful for doctors, it is written in a way that is also very easy for patients to understand. If he needs to bring up something in one part of his book, such as problems with sleep, in reference to the current topic, but the detailed discussion of that topic comes later in the book, he tells the reader that he will go into it in detail in a specific subsequent chapter. At the end of each chapter, he includes a very helpful summary, and tells the reader what he will discuss next. These writing techniques make the book easy to understand (especially for those of us with CFS "brain fog"), and also provides a reference book of information at our fingertips.

This book is EXCELLENT! It is written by a medical doctor who has done a great deal of research in the area he is writing about. And HE CARES! I am an RN with a Bachelor's degree in science. Everything in this book makes sense to me. It is not the usual questionable information I often have found in books about CFS, FMS. This is a book you can hand to your doctor and say I want these tests.....It is very easy to read for the regular person and it is written with compassion. This is a doctor who actually believes he needs to LISTEN to his patients. The blood work, X-rays, etc. are all important, but if they say there is nothing wrong-it doesn't mean that your symptoms aren't real. What a wonderful concept. I think this book should be required for every medical student, resident out there. Who knows, doctors might start listening again to their patients!

I have struggled with chronic fatigue for 6 or 7 years and I am so frustrated with doctors that just tell me there is no cure so just live with it. This book does outline my symptoms and gives me a game plan for moving forward. I get hope from someone who has spent years researching chronic fatigue and related diseases.

This is a helpful book for those suffering from undiagnosed illnesses, such as fibromyalgia. It is especially good in the early section on the doctor's initial observations of the patient and what the doctor looks for in blood-testing. Rarely have I seen this explained so well. The medical profession's insistence on objective markers, as opposed to the patient's own observations, can be a real hurdle in diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Natalson seems to have a politically liberal view. That in itself is not an issue, but his bias does not belong in a medical book. For instance, it is very puzzling that Dr. Natalson would tell readers to avoid male doctors and seek out female doctors instead. Is that responsible? Suppose the finest internist in your community is a male? He thinks females listen (and thus diagnose) better, but offers no real evidence for better outcomes. I've never seen significant differences between male and female doctors. Both are lamentably over-scheduled, and most do not listen well to hard-to-diagnose patients. (This I suspect, has more to due with our health care system than any defects in the personalities of male doctors.) In any event, this book is not so comforting to male patients, and the editor should have noticed.

Another problem is that the doctor says nothing about peripheral neuropathy, which can be a major symptom of auto-immune disorders, and for which the patient is offered very little hope of treatment. I understand drugs like Cymbalta are now being tried. I'd like to have known more here.

The book's promise seems to fizzle out about halfway through. Dr. Natalson's views on patient rest and diet seem sound, but offer little new to those who have read broadly. I think the really good book on these puzzling diseases is yet to be written.

This is a very well written book, about health issues that are commonly swept under the rug, or over looked by some heath care providers! I have both Fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and this book has been very helpful to me in many ways! I have been to see Dr. Natelson (the author of this book)at his practice in N.Y.C. and he is a very caring doctor, that really wants to help his patients feel better, and live better lives! I recommend this book to anyone suffering from Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia or the like. This book will help you understand your illness better, and give you some tools to help you get your energy back and start feeling better!

Dr. Natelson is a physician and researcher in the fields of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He gives hope to those suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Often the patient's physician is baffled by fibromyalgia symptoms or is uncomfortable treating fibromyalgia. Through this book, Dr. Natelson advises an evidenced based, sound treatment program. I have had the honor of being one of Dr. Natelson's patients. I have seen firsthand how Dr. Natelson lives and breathes the mystery of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is a caring physician who truly listens to patients and wants to help.

This book is essential for anyone with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue. It gives a lifeline for sufferers of chronic pain, fog, and extreme fatigue. If you have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue, do not give up. There is hope and there are treatments that can work.

Dr. Natelson is one of the nation's leading experts on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia, and other illnesses that tend to baffle many doctors and patients. If you've been from one doctor to another, and have been told "it's in your head," but then you are sent to a psychiatrist who says, "No, it's not in your head," and then back and forth until you feel humiliated by your insistence that doctors take you seriously, then this book is for you.

Dr. Natelson's writing style is notable for its clarity, and his voice is one of respect for the reader, as he understands that by the time you've picked up his book you've often been patronized and made to feel like an annoyance by many doctors. Often one has to concurrently contend with a lengthy battle with disability insurance companies, with whom you have to battle to get them to understand that you aren't a "malingerer," because of the difficulty of finding what is believed to be "objective" evaluations of your illness.

His easily understood approach to helping you find the appropriate treatment for your condition begins with finding the right doctor for you. (In fact, I wish his section on finding the right doctor were required reading for med school students).

Dr. Natelson's program for finding the right treatment is comprehensive in its discussion of the relationship of depression and chronic illness, and his exploration of various treatments that have found to be effective in patients with these symptoms. And he uses solid research when evaluating various courses of treatment, whereas unfortunately there are far too many books on the shelves about CFS/FM that offer only anecdotal evidence at best.

Highly recommended.