Defeat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: You Don't Have to Live with It -- An Eight Step Protocol

by Martha E. Kilcoyne

An Eight Step Protocol - Developed by the author which enabled her to fully recover from CFS - When I was three months pregnant with my second child, I caught a flu virus that changed my life. For the next four years I lived in the clutches of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. When I realized that most of the medical profession considered my illness to be "in my head", I felt so isolated, struggling to understand what was wrong with me knowing that it was a real physical illness. CFS shut down my life as I knew it and forced me to become a recluse spending most of my time in bed between short lived efforts to have a "normal" life. But slowly, through much trial and error, I began to understand the patterns and the cruelty of CFS. In the end, I defeated Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and now live a full and healthy life - totally free of CFS. This book shares in detail the eight step protocol that I developed and followed as I slowly and steadily regained my health. It s written in a clear, concise format, understanding the struggle that CFS sufferers have with memory and concentration. By consistently following these steps, I hope that you too can defeat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. You don t have to live with it! My motivation for writing this book is to bring a new voice to the Chronic Fatigue dialogue - contrary to the message of a permanently compromised lifestyle which is prevalent in the medical and patient communities, there are many former CFS patients who are fully recovered. I'm one of them! My message to patients, medical practitioners and care givers is that despite the unknowns of CFS, you CAN manage those aspects of CFS that you ARE in control of. My protocol is a proactive, self-management approach implemented 24-7. Decide to defeat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!

Genres: Health

110 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2007

Reviews

[Martha Kilcoyne]

I wrote this book in 2007 after fully recovering from ME/CFS. It wasn't my intention to write a book about my illness but I came to realize, after several conversations with people who had been sick for a long time, that the information about how to recover was spotty and mostly focused on buying a service or supplement. So here is my protocol for how I got well. Nothing to purchase from me but the book.
Be Well Again, Martha

This book isn't listed on my Author page because at the time, I only used my middle initial for my name. Goodreads doesn't allow authors to combine their books into one listing if the authors name isn't exactly the same.

[Barbara Kennedy]

Help for CFS/ME

I like the protocol she followed. There were definite helpful ideas presented. I question the concept of curing CFS/ME. I think she put it in remission. I highly recommend this book to everyone effected by CFS/ME in any way. All can benefit from her experience.

[Kate]

After 8 years of 'doctor-shopping' and trying way too many things that didn't work, I was a little hesitant to buy yet another book. But I'm not sorry I added it to my next Amazon order!

I recognized an awful lot in the author's story. Which in general is to be expected, but to me the specifics really stood out (could have been my medical record, minus the pregnancy.)

The book is the author's story, mixed in with an 8 step protocol (and a good explanation of why to follow it) with which she made a full recovery. Something to really look forward to!

This are the steps, obviously explained in detail in the book:

1. Understand your version of CFS.
-- Keep a daily short log of activities/rest periods, sleep, symptoms, meds
2. Find a doctor who will work with you.
3. Break the cycle of fatigue
-- Strict rule: Sleep at least 10 hours a night! And apparently after a few months of keeping a log you will notice a pattern, and know what is `too much' - that way you can avoid the `major crash after'.
4. Build a support network
5. Be sick! Be a patient!
-- aka: ignore what others think of you and don't feel guilty for taking care of yourself.
6. Fuel your wellness
-- General health info, with the addition of vitamin/supplement recommendations
7. Maintain an optimal blood pressure.
-- Mine, like the authors, turned out to be constantly low (105/65) -> fixable!
8. Manage your stages of recovery.

I wish there was one extra part explaining a little more about 'finding the pattern' for step 3. (Just an example of hers would be good).
I guess I'll figure it out in a few months, or let someone more awake look at it.

I've been following the steps for only a week now, but I hope to report results in a few months (will be in the comments).
Four stars for now, for a clear and easy-to-read book.
Might change to five - I certainly hope so.

[Reanna Fraser]

After being diagnosed I was researching like crazy. This is a great first book to help explain it all and what to expect. It was simple and to the point. Really easy to comprehend even in a fibro fog.