Product Description

From the author of Living Well With Hypothyroidism, a comprehensive guide to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia--vital help for the millions of people suffering from pain, fatigue, and sleep problems.

Recent studies indicate that 3 to 6 million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia--a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. This terrible condition is often accompanied by chronic fatigue syndrome, a persistent and debilitating sense of exhaustion that is estimated to affect 800,000 Americans--twice the number of people with multiple sclerosis. Yet there are no official blood tests of diagnostic procedures that can confirm that yes, you definitely have these conditions, and in fact, a whole segment of the medical world doesn't even believe these two diseases actually exist. In addition, the few books that are on the market tend to focus on single solutions or eschew conventional and pharmaceutical approaches, which could alienate readers who use conventional medicine in whole or part. In her trademark accessible, easy-to-follow style, patient advocate Mary J. Shomon integrates the latest findings regarding these misunderstood conditions. Highlighting the pros and cons of the antibiotic, metabolic/endocrine, hormonal, musculoskeletal, and many other approaches to treatment, Shomon explores the fads and viable alternatives--both conventional and alternative--and provides helpful, clear solutions to help sufferers of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

At various points since 1995, Mary J. Shomon has been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Since then, she has transformed her health challenges into a mission as a nationally-known patient advocate. She has worked for more than 20 years in writing, advertising, public relations, and communications and is the founder and editor-in-chief of several thyroid, autoimmune, and nutrition newsletters, as well as the internet's most popular thyroid disease website, www.thyroid-info.com.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #186884 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03
• Released on: 2004-03-02
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, CFS/FMS researcher/practitioner and author of
"...a thorough and balanced book that will teach you how to get well now."

Dr. Joseph Mercola, author of
"...start changing your life for the better now by reading this crucial book."

Marie Savard, MD, author of
"…[sheds] an incredible light on what matters - from how to get an accurate diagnosis to finding the best treatment."

Customer Reviews

Too complicated
The book is extremely well written. However, I had a hard time understanding everything because of the medical words being used.

not helpful
I don't believe in writing negative reviews unless they're really useful. I ordered this book based on all the good things I'd read about it. As I read it I wondered if these reviewers had read the same book! It's a dense and not terribly readable listing of all the readily researched material on CFS and fibromyalgia. Nothing in it is helpful.

Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
This was the first book I read when I became ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Sept. 2004, and it provided me with eye-opening insights into my disorder as well as sobering, but realistic expectations of the difficulties involved in the healing process. Additionally, it outlines the dysfunctions involved in this disorder as well as how to treat and cope with these.
Overall, I found the book to be a rich and helpful source of information for anyone suffering from this condition.
I would suggest complementing this book with others, however, as it isn't an all-inclusive source of information on CFIDS. Additionally, research has taught me that CFIDS/Fibromyalgia aren't conditions in and of themselves, but often manifestations of other illnesses, including Lyme Disease. For treatment of either condition to be effective, possibilities of other illnesses should be investigated and ruled out.
Finally, this book, as most others dealing with CFIDS, did not deal much with past emotional trauma and how this can be stored in the body and manifest as physical illness. For anyone who suspects that this factor has played a role in the development of his/her illness, finding information that deals with this aspect of healing is absolutely vital for recovery.