Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for Patients and Their Families

I have many Fibro books. This one has given me information that the others have not. Don't get me wrong when you've read one you basically have read them all, but this one has a few new items in it that the others do not.

This is the first book I have purchased since my FMS diagnosis. It explains things very well, and covers a wide array of treatment options and loads of study information ranging from physical therapies, to medicines, and even to alternative treatment options such as herbal tinctures. After reading this book, I was able to express to my family, especially my daughter, what I was going thru, how it felt, and identify my needs more accurately for a more engaged lifestyle. I realized I was not a lost cause, that the syndrome was not all in my head, and there are proactive measures I can take to improve my life. Anyone who is serious about really wanting to understand the mechanics of the syndrome, co-existing and similar illnesses which are easier to explain to others, and have a need to understand the syndrome itself should read this book. Finishing this book reassured me that there is hope if you are willing to accept pacing yourself with realistic goals to improve your life. Despite my excellent medical care, I previously felt more as if I had "whining female syndrome" rather than something real which can be and needs to be treated. It does get technical in parts of the book, but was well within my ease of understanding all of the author's information, and left me with a feeling of hope and positive well being I have not experienced in years.

I loved this book. As a FMS sufferer of 2 years now I'm still at times struggling to cope and understand and accept this illness. This book was great, it was written in such a clear consise manner that didn't talk down to me! This book is wonderful also for sharing with family and friends when they have questions. It doesn't overwhelm you with tons of overly detailed information. If you want that you can get "Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual" (2nd Edition) by Devin J. Starlanyl which is the bible on FMS. I love Devin's books too, but they can be quite mind boggling reading for a friend or relative who wants to know more about the illness without overexposure! *LOL* As a former librarian and researcher by nature (I had to quit my beloved job due to the severity of FMS along with arthritis, migraines, PCOS, etc) I have read more than twenty some books on FMS/CFIDS, living with chronic illnesses, etc and this book along with Cladia Craig Marek's "Fibromyalgia the First Year" has become one of my two favorites! The writing is so easy to understand and I even found out new information that I hadn't come across before on medications, symptoms and new theories on what's behind the cause of FMS. Do make this book part of your personal library on FMS. It is qutie definetly worth the cost!

This is an excellent book. Don't be intimidated by the science. It's good as a reference for the fibro patient. I have fibro myself and it helped me to understand the disease and how to help myself.