Women and Fibromyalgia: Living with an Invisible Dis-ease (Paperback)

by Barbara A Keddy (Author)
Key Phrases: fibromyalgia syndrome, The Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Struggling To Be Believed, Meet the Women (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
“Dr. Keddy captures the patient’s experience of living and coping with suffering in the poignant interviews with twenty women who have fibromyalgia, herself included.”
—Dr. Jock Murray, medical humanities and neurology professor, Dalhousie University Medical School

Fibromyalgia, a musculoskeletal condition characterized by widespread chronic pain and fatigue, specific tender points, and sleep disturbance, is a major medical and social concern for physicians, employers, workers’ compensation boards, and the insurance industry. But what about those who suffer from the condition?

Drawing on her own experiences as well as the stories of twenty other women living with the challenges of fibromyalgia, Barbara A. Keddy, RN, PhD, discusses current theories of causes and types of treatments. She also speculates about why this condition is more prominent among women than men. By sharing these stories, Keddy highlights the invisibility of the daily difficulties fibromyalgia sufferers face.

With its uniquely personal perspective, Women and Fibromyalgia validates Keddy’s experience and offers hope for her and others that they will someday take back control of their bodies.

About the Author
Barbara A. Keddy has been a nurse, medical sociologist, university teacher and researcher, and is currently a professor emeritus. Her research over the past ten years, in addition to living with fibromyalgia, has given insight into this mysterious condition. She lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Please visit www.womenandfibromyalgia.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse-Indigo (July 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595443710
• ISBN-13: 978-0595443710
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #660,499 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Answers at last, November 3, 2008

By	J. Hyde (Brisbane Qld Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have to be honest, I haven't read any books on FM for a few years because as a sufferer I find some of them quite depressing to say the least. Not with this one though. It was easy to understand, and as far as I was concerned Dr. Keddy hit the nail on the head, with her understanding of the condition. Also the feedback from the twenty women she interviewed for the book, made me feel like I wasn't going mad, they were experiencing the same symptoms as me. Other books on the subject are more inclined to tell you all the things you should or shouldn't do, should or shouln't eat etc. which although helpful sometimes make you feel so alienated from everyone else. I really connected with this book. Everything fell into place when I read it, OK I did have tears rolling down my face as I read some parts - looking into the past, my childhood in particular for answers as to why this had happened to me, but as I read I became quite elated because I had always suspected many of these things could have contributed to the condition. Also, I agree with Dr.Keddy that I'm not quite sure if it is hereditory, my father might have had it, he was always very stiff, but being a man of few words and who has now passed away, I'll never know. My daughter does show some symptoms but I don't want to wish it on her!
I'd say to anyone who has FM this is an excellent book, which doesn't preach, but will help you to come to an understanding of the condition and also how to deal with adversity that may come upon you especially in the workforce. As many employers are very ignorant about FM and are not really interested in finding out this is a very important book too. It really empowers you to know how to deal with these problems. 10 out of 10 to Dr.Keddy.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book, November 23, 2008

By	Deborah D. Hill-gossett - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia Fatigue: The Powerful Program That Helps You Boost Your Energy and Reclaim Your Life