The First Year---Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (Paperback)

by Jill Sklar (Author), Manuel Sklar (Foreword) "MAYBE YOU were on the gurney in the recovery room after a colonoscopy, still reeling from the medication and desperately trying to keep your eyelids..." (more)
Key Phrases: colonoscopy prep, ankylosing spondilitis, ostomy surgery, Colitis Foundation of America, United States, Social Security (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
When Jill Sklar was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 1989, she quickly discovered the knowledge she sought—accessibly written medical information and guidance on practical, everyday coping skills—wasn’t available. Since then Sklar has educated herself on every aspect of the management and treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—by reading medical and scientific books and journals, talking with doctors, and networking with other people who have Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. She now shares her experience and knowledge with everyone who has been newly diagnosed. As a "patient-expert," Sklar walks you step-by-step through everything you need to do and learn each day of your first week after diagnosis, each subsequent week of the first month, and the following eleven months of the crucial first year.

In clear, concise, accessible language, Sklar covers a wide range of practical, medical, and lifestyle issues, beginning with coming to terms with the diagnosis and then moving on to subjects including:

§ Strategies for accomplishing necessary lifestyle changes

§ Guidelines and tips for modifying your diet

§ Surgical options and tips for coping with surgery and hospital stays

§ Choosing the right medical team

§ Discussing your condition with family, friends, and co-workers

§ Current medical research and medications

§ The special needs of children

§ Effective alternative therapies

§ Support group resources

By providing reliable, useful, empathetic, and up-to-date information you need to know when you most need to know it, The First Year™—Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis is an insightful guide for everyone seeking gain back control over their IBD and their lives.

About the Author
JILL SKLAR is an award-winning writer who specializes in medical writing. Her articles, on subjects ranging from heart transplantation to digestive diseases, have appeared in the New York Times, Style Magazine, Digestive Health & Nutrition Magazine, and other newspapers and magazines. She is the vice president of the Michigan chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and the community leader for the Crohn’s disease board on iVillage.com. She and her family live in Huntington Woods, Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: Marlowe & Company; 1st edition (June 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569245320
• ISBN-13: 978-1569245323
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #530,767 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 3 in The First Year Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Crohn's Book Available, May 21, 2003

By A Customer

I have a small library of books on Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis, and this one by far offers the most updated and helpful information. Whenever I have a question about my diet, or my medication, or a new symptom, this is the first book I pull off the shelf. The book is also extremely well-written, with clear explanations of all of the medical information, and some nice personal perspectives from the author, who has Crohn's disease. If you--or a loved one--have recently been diagnosed, do yourself a favor and buy this book. When you close it, you will be a wiser and more prepared patient or caregiver than you were before you opened it.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was newly diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, June 13, 2003

By A Customer

In January 2003, at age 40, after years of living with what I thought were my severe food allergies reactions, I was diagnosed with accute, universal, UC. I did not know where to turn for accurate, complete and honest information. I felt my doctor could only offer an overview of the disease. This was one of the first books that I read and I would strongly recommend it. Until I met fellow suffers through CCFA, I felt very alone with this disease. This book gave me a clear indication of what I have and what to expect with UC. I highly recommend this for the newly diagnosed - it was incredibily informative.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, very complete, May 23, 2003

By	A. B Hawley "cowboyal" (Mid-south, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An excellent overview of the disease and the most up-to-date and complete listing of current treatment options. I have had Crohn's disease for ten years and am very well researched on the disease and still found this book helpful. The title would imply it's a "starter" book, but it's also an excellent reference for veterans of the disease like me. The one negative review that claimed the author was "jaded" is a rather poorly thought out comment. When you write a book about the disease, you talk about the disease and it's complications. While it might be uplifting to read about all the people living comfortably with the disease, it doesn't help you take an active role in determining your treatment. This book does. All of us that suffer with the disease need to take the lead in understanding the disease and making sure we have the best medical care. So do your work! Read this book and others and support the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Here's to hoping you feel better soon!