The Scleroderma Book: A Guide for Patients and Families (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "This book will tell you a lot about scleroderma..." (more)
Key Phrases: derma patients, malignant phase hypertension, scar tissue buildup, United States, Systemic Scleroderma-Limited (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Scleroderma is a rare, incurable autoimmune disease that strikes between 4000 and 8000 people annually, though estimates are sketchy owing to variable presentation. Few books on the disease have been published. A rheumatologist and professor of internal medicine, Mayes has been treating scleroderma patients for over 20 years. She gives a thorough overview of the processes that lead to such complications as Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal reflux, hypertension, and skin changes in both the localized and systemic forms of the disease. Chapters on the main organ systems that can be involved (respiratory, cardiac, gastrointestinal, and renal) cover diagnosis and specialists. Also included are chapters on sexuality, pregnancy, and coping. Mayes emphasizes the variable nature of the disease, which requires an individualized approach to treatment. The tone of the book is empathetic and nonalarmist. Suprisingly, no comment is made on the media-hyped "cure" minocycline. Appendixes include criteria for diagnosis, support groups, resources, and a glossary of terms. Recommended for public libraries and hospital consumer health collections. (Index not seen.)ALisa McCormick, Jewish Hosp., Cincinnati
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Mayes has been treating scleroderma patients for almost 20 years and combines her clinical experience and medical knowledge in an informative, accessible book. Neither the cause nor the cure of the autoimmune connective tissue disease is known. She describes the two main types of scleroderma; discusses who is likely to get the malady, which affects the whole body, as well as sexuality and pregnancy; and zeroes in on such organs as the kidneys, GI tract, lungs, heart, joints, tendons, muscles, and nerves. Frequently scleroderma and Sjogren's syndrome go together. Good symptomatic treatments are available, but they need the context of a first-rate doctor-patient relationship to be really effective. Mayes gives practical suggestions for coping with the rarely fatal, though discomforting and frustrating, disease, and she debunks three harmful myths often thrown at scleroderma patients by others or themselves. Appendixes list sources of additional information and include a well-chosen glossary. William Beatty

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 182 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (July 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195115074
• ISBN-13: 978-0195115079
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,107,509 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended Reading For Scleroderma Patients, November 21, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Providence, Rhode Island) - See all my reviews

This is a balanced and informative book, so much so that I am passing it on to my doctor with the recommendation that he tell all his scleroderma patients about it. I've learned a lot through the internet and by careful observation of what's going on with subtle physical changes we experience with scleroderma. This book does a great job of tying it all together in an easily understood presentation that's helpful as well for family and support groups.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highest Endorsement from International Scleroderma Network, March 14, 2001

By	Shelley L. Ensz (Edina, MN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As President of the International Scleroderma Network (www.sclero.org), this is one of my favorite books to recommend for all scleroderma patients and their family and friends.

Dr. Mayes is a world leader in the field of scleroderma and her clinic is a member of the international Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium (SCTC).

Moreover, Dr. Mayes is an extremely popular speaker at scleroderma events, due to her clear, friendly, and down-to-earth style. I have met her, and I have also heard from a great many of her patients, all of whom have spoken very highly of her.

If your life has been affected by scleroderma, GET THIS BOOK NOW. You'll be happy you did!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have Scleraderma, November 6, 2000

By	SuzinML (Chicago,IL.) - See all my reviews

Being diagnosed with this disease was overwhelming for myself and my family. There were so many questions. Where were the answers? I was being treated by a doctor specializing in rheumatoid arthritis. I hit the internet and found a "specialist" in my metro. area. I am now under the care of Dr. Maureen Mayes. At this time her book had not yet been released. I feel lucky that I have her knowledge in treating scleraderma and in her book she can share that expertise with others. The book has been extemely helpful in explaining to family and friends what scleraderma is and how it can be treated.