Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know

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Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know

3.61 of 5 stars 3.61 · rating details · 31 ratings · 6 reviews

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 musculoske...more 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.(less)

Paperback, 416 pages

Published March 2nd 2004 by William Morrow Paperbacks (first published 2004)

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Jan 31, 2013 Erica Verrillo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia is a good basic introduction that covers a lot of ground without losing coherence. Written in an accessible style and well organized, Shomon's book is probably the best place to start if you haven't already done a lot of reading on the subject.

The strongest parts of this book are the chapters that explain the "nitty gritty" of CFS/ME: etiology, how the immune system works, and the origins of various symptoms. Shomon manages these complex...more Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia is a good basic introduction that covers a lot of ground without losing coherence. Written in an accessible style and well organized, Shomon's book is probably the best place to start if you haven't already done a lot of reading on the subject.

The strongest parts of this book are the chapters that explain the "nitty gritty" of CFS/ME: etiology, how the immune system works, and the origins of various symptoms. Shomon manages these complex topics competently, without devolving into excessive technical jargon.

Shomon's discussion of causes covers all the "usual suspects" - bacterial infections (mycoplasma, chlamydia and tick-borne infections), viruses (HHV-6, Q fever, and stealth viruses), and candidiasis. But Shomon really shines when she discusses the effects of CFS/ME: immune system dysfunction (autoimmunity, low NK cell function and the Th1/Th2 shift), endocrine disorders (hypoadrenalism, hypothyroidism, and human growth hormone deficiency), central nervous system dysfunction, allergies and chemical sensitivities. These are the aspects of CFS/ME in which Shomon shows the greatest interest and expertise (undoubtedly due to the extensive research on all these areas).

There are weaknesses inherent in a broad survey of this type. The first is that Shomon, like Dr. Teitelbaum (who wrote the Forward) lumps CFS/ME and fibromyalgia together as CFS/Fibromyalgia. This is a mistake. Although there may be a great deal of overlap in symptoms, CFS/ME and fibromyalgia are not the same illness. (This distinction is borne out by research studies which show different results for the two groups.)

Many people with CFS/ME do not experience fibromyalgia pain. More significantly, people with fibromyalgia tend to improve with exercise while those with CFS/ME suffer a decline. (Exercise intolerance is the hallmark symptom of CFS/ME.) What's more, while I have met many people with CFS/ME who have fibromyalgia as a secondary diagnosis, I have yet to meet a single person with fibromyalgia who has CFS/ME as a secondary diagnosis. CFS/ME is clearly the heavyweight here.

The second weakness in this book is that Shomon's discussions of treatments are cursory at best. At times she only devotes a sentence or two to treatments which have been utilized for decades and omits others entirely. In this regard, "what your doctor doesn't tell you" is a misleading subtitle for this book. If you see a CFS/ME specialist, chances are that he or she will tell you a great deal more about treatments than Shomon does.

Aside from these two admittedly serious faults, the book stands up well as an initial introduction. However, I would advise anyone with either CFS/ME or fibromyalgia to continue reading. There are a number of other books that discuss both illnesses more thoroughly. Comment | Permalink (less)

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Jun 12, 2012 Laura Mackenzie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nice to read something and know all of this isn't just in my head. It exists and is real and I wish it wasn't!

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May 30, 2010 M rated it 4 of 5 stars

had some helpful information, particularly for coping with chronic illness

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Aug 27, 2010 Reanna Fraser rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Just recently being diagnosed myself I was searching for information, treatment and just general understanding. This book did such a great job explaining it all and saving me the time. I could see it being a great tool for someone that is having trouble being diagnosed. It helped me figure out my plan for treating this chronic illness.

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Sep 02, 2008 Tessha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: health

Good reminder of what I was already doing. Nice to know others out there can relate.

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Oct 27, 2008 Jen R aka CraftyMom Jen rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: any one that's fatigued for no reason.

Recommended to Jen R by: Friend Donna who also has it.

It's like this women is taking the words right out of my mouth.

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