From Fatigued to Fantastic

If I have learned nothing else from my experiences with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, I have come to understand the need to educate myself about my health issues. Often health care professionals simply don't have the knowledge of how to help my symptoms. Unless they specialize in these conditions, they simply can't keep up with the bulk of current research. Therefore, the onus is on me, as someone dedicated to my good health, to be part of the solution. For those individuals wanting to educate themselves on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, From Fatigued to Fantastic is a very good resource. It begins with those fundamental questions that we all ask. What are these conditions? What causes them? Why did I get them? The author then takes the reader deeper into his or her own concerns. Each section lays out particular symptoms, the root of these problems, and what can be done to alleviate these specific issues. I really like that the author sets out a variety of different alternatives. Some involve diet and exercise modification while others involve herbal supplements and/or prescription medication.

The second edition of From Fatigued to Fantastic was the best discussion of fibromyalgia treatment, until the current third edition was printed. Please read my review of the second edition of this book, in addition to this review. Even if you have already read the second edition, you will find considerable new information in the latest edition. The third edition contains new sections discussing: increasing energy with Ribose; an enlightening discussion of the dangers of Premarin and progestins, in comparison to bioidentical hormone replacement; new antiviral treatments, including Nexavir and Valcyte; extensive information concerning sleep apnea and CPAP treatment; information explaining how to win a disability claim; a succinct, comprehensible, streamlined explanation of the Shoemaker protocols, for testing and treatment of Lymes Disease and other neurotoxic illnesses, which are often the cause of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Updated information concerning prevalence of Ambien triggered sleepwalking; and using theanine and magnolia extracts to lower anxiety. Some of the treatment protocols have been moved to an appendix, labled "for physicians," which makes the remainder of the book more readable for nonphysicians, but the physician section, is comprehensible to well read laymen. The infectious disease section deals with the causes of fibromyalgia and their treatment. Dr. Teitelbaum observes that Immunoglobin G titers for Epstein Barr Virus frequently decrease with antiviral treatment. Teitelbaum provides an integrated, comprehensive nutritional, hormonal, herbal and pharmaceutical treatment approach to fibromyalgia. He is very aware of the costs of testing, nutrients, herbals, prescription and nonprescription drugs and often suggests less expensive diagnostic and treatment protocols, realizing many fibromyalgia patients have been bankrupted and lost health insurance coverage, due to this illness. Dr. Teitelbaum is quick to credit or acknowlege the contributions and effective testing and treatment protocols of other leading researchers and practitioners, and this book contains contact information for some of them. I have never seen a fibromyalgia patient who did not experience at least some improvement, with at least one of the treatments recommended in this book. Many of these fibromyalgia patients had consulted dozens of practitioners, in an agonizing, frustrating seven or eight year quest for treatment and experienced no improvement, prior to following treatments recommended in this book. Treatment of the thyroid, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone and DHEA hormonal deficiencies often produces rapid relief of some of the fatigue, anxiety, insomnia and pain. Clinical testing of fibromyalgia patients, at Florida Detox, has confirmed many of the hormonal and nutritional deficiencies, hypercoagulopathies, allergies, and infections causing fibromyalgia, including viruses, fungal overgrowths, and Lymes Diseas

This book was great I found it on vacation on FL and could not put it down! Interestingly, on vacation, my symptoms were minimal! I found a GREAT doctor, and this book reinforced what she had told me. I was not crazy! There was something wrong with me, even though I look well to those around me. Following the book's advice and "The Yeast Connection" by Wm Crook, I am feeling better! I still have bad days, but it is usually when I eat something with sugar, milk, yeast, or caffine. A MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE WITH FIBROMYALGIA!

Dr. Teitelbaum has put into one very readable book information that sufferers of fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue have been craving for years. His direct approach and common sense solutions are like a much-needed rain for a parched life. The book was recommended by a doctor specializing in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, and I presented it to my regular doctor so that he could help me with the unique problems FMS and CFS patients face. A friend of mine who also suffers from these syndromes has started implementing Dr. Teitelbaum's suggestions and has had significant improvement of her symptoms. (I am not able to start my treatment until certain testing is complete, for the sake of accuracy.) The doctor also offers himself as a resource if you are unable to get the help you need elsewhere. If you or someone you love has either of these syndromes, this book is a must-read.

If you have Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or suspect that you may have, this book can open medical doors for you. FMS/CFS/CFIDS are illnesses that are very misunderstood by the medical community at large. Normally this disease needs to be diagnosed by a rheumotologist. If you are having unexplained joint pain and unexplainable fatigue, make your doctor read this book. It outlines the illness, symptoms, tests that should be ordered and how to correctly interpret the results. My doctor and I follow Dr. Teitelbaum's program and I am improving. It is the best source of information on Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome available. Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum is very passionate about this illness due to the fact that he has had it and knows what his patients feel. He writes compassionately and in a language that a non-medically trained reader can understand. It is less expensive than a trip to the doctor and you'll definately get more information