Graves' Disease In Our Own Words (Paperback)

~ Jake George (Author), Nancy Patterson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

I wish I could write a prescription for this book for every woman, man and child diagnosed with Graves' disease. -- Donnica L. Moore, MD; President, DrDonnica.com

It should be required reading for those spouses, family members and health care providers who truly want to understand. -- Arliss Beardmore, President Thyroid Foundation of Canada (1997-2000)

Product Description

"Graves' Disease, In Our Own Words" takes the reader on a unique journey through the disease's many complexities. Personal accounts offer insights into both the physical and emotional sides of Graves'. Both the experts and other Graves' patients try to validate these feelings with articles on diagnosis, treatment, and healthful living with Graves' disease (hyperactive thyroid). Over eighteen top Endocrinologists, pharmacists and other experts on Graves’ disease, make the information in this book, accurate and up to date with the latest information on Graves’ disease and its treatments.

Over seven years of research on common questions asked, and answers provided by the National Graves’ Disease Foundation’s board of medical advisors, trained facilitators, as well as answers from the top Endocrinologists, at the major medical and teaching hospitals, ensures what is provided is medically accurate, and is often done in a layperson’s terms so it is understandable by those with no or little medical understanding.

The authors contacted the medical professionals for a full edit when they wrote the chapters to ensure that the information was correct and current and what was on the cutting edge for treatment of Graves’ disease.

A full bibliography and recommended reading list is provided to help newly diagnosed find accurate information on Graves’ disease. Unfortunately recent studies show that a full 80% of medical related web sites provide wrong or inaccurate information. "Graves’ Disease In Our Own Words", takes the worry out of finding reputable, and medically reliable information.

At the last American Thyroid Association meeting, they provided a lecture on information and misinformation on thyroid disease. The lecture was titled "The Good The Bad And The Ugly" The National Graves’ Disease Foundation was listed as one of the best sources of information for Graves’ disease. The National Graves’ Disease Foundation, and their medical board of advisors fully endorse this book.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Blue Note Pubns (August 26, 2002)
• ISBN-10: 1878398202
• ISBN-13: 978-1878398208
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #626,378 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's fairly obvious, February 20, 2003

By A Customer

That the folks who felt this book was... "inadequate" in addressing all of the issues, opinions, folk-remedies and whatnot regarding Graves' disease share the opinions of the "other" thyroid disease message board. So rather than use this review page as an Us vs. Them battle, I suggest that our fellow reviewers stick to the facts... and perhaps do a little research themselves.

For one: "Spontaneous Remission", a phrase long uttered by fans of Elaine Moore and Mary Shomon, is NOT the expected end result of either treated or untreated Graves' disease. Any Graves' disease patient who expects that their condition will suddenly cure itself or run its course, either through the use of ATMs, bogus herbal remedies or beta blockers, is taking a dangerous health gamble. While some patients do go into "remission" (meaning their Graves' antibodies settle down for a bit, but will likely flare up at a later date) through the use of ATMs, the long-term effects of improperly treated GD are marked: coronary involvement, osteoporosis, significant muscle wasting and possible thyroid storm or death. Any person who suggests that GD patients should try herbal remedies and vitamins alone to control this INCURABLE autoimmune disorder is flying in the face of established medical fact and may be placing other patients in serious medical harm.

So while I applaud any GD patient who has managed to send their disease into "remission" using one or more of the above methods, unfortunately most of the rest of us aren't in any position to gamble with our already failing health. When my blood pressure spiked to 210/115 and my resting heart rate was at 150 bpm on 50mgs of Atenolol b.i.d., waiting for "remission" was a luxury I just didn't have. And due to the severe immune system involvement of my condition, ATMs were also not an option. So I chose RAI, and while many GD patients will attempt to make me and others like me feel guilty for making this choice (and they did, on the "other" message board), I know that I made the best medical decision for me and will support other GD patients in their treatment choices - regardless of what that choice might be, within the realm of common sense.

Which is what 'Graves' Disease In Our Own Words' is all about, and why it is a far superior book to Elaine Moore's (not-so)'Practical Guide'. It offers REAL stories from REAL GD patients who faced tough decisions regarding their treatment. 'In Our Own Words' offers ALL treatment options from an objective point of view, and simply because the authors choose to not denounce RAI as evil spawned from Satan himself does not mean that they are "pushing" that option onto anyone.

In addition to addressing the "technical" side of this illness (done in a very matter-of-fact, cut through the B.S. way that I greatly appreciated), I loved how this book tackled the real-life, emotional issues of GD overlooked in so many other books on the topic: family problems, job-related stress, memory loss, and depression and anxiety to name a few.

'Graves' Disease In Our Own Words' may not be the definitive, encyclopedic tome on treating and managing this chronic condition, but if you want down-to-earth, realistic information on this disease from the people who know it best (fellow GD patients), this is the book for you.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful and informative!, March 13, 2003

By	"francie149" (Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

I have Graves disease. Having said that, I decided to read absolutely everything I could find that has been written about this disease. The other books I read presented the technical and medical information very well. This book presented not only that technical information in a very understandable way, but it also presented information regarding the impact (other than on the body) that this disease can have. This extra information is what sets this book apart. When I told my endocrinologist that someone should write a book solely about Graves disease, he said, "why? It is a very straightforward disease." Wrong! This disease is not straightforward at all! (I am going to send my copy of this book to him!) This book is very very helpful! Thank you!

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Disappointment, March 6, 2004

By A Customer

Graves' Disease In Our Own Words, by Jake George and Nancy Patterson, was a disappointment. I expected a great deal more. I hoped that a book endorsed by a national organization on Graves' disease would provide fairly up-to-date information, but this book has outdated information, and a number of weak and scanty sections.

Overall, it left me with more questions than answers, and even contradicted information I've received from my endocrinologist, who is considered top in his field.

I'd suggest Ridha Arem's Thyroid Solution, Elaine Moore's book on Graves' disease, or Sara Rosenthal's books before I'd recommend this one to others.