Living with Fibromyalgia NE

by Christine Craggs-Hinton

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition characterized by pain in the muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Other symptoms include fatigue, sleep problems, allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, stiffness, anxiety, depression and problems with short-term memory and concentration. Living with Fibromyalgia offers tried-and-tested advice on how to reduce pain, boost energy levels and live more comfortably. In line with the latest thinking of fibromyalgia as a disorder of the CNS (central nervous system), this third edition looks at how an over-sensitised system may amplify pain messages and trigger the symptoms of fibromyalgia. It also looks at research into the link between poor sleep and the disorder. Other topics include: a physical cause? - the evidence for fine nerve damage in fibromyalgia sleep problems and management the benefits of yoga and music therapy updated recommendations on diet and supplements the importance of posture and exercise pain and stress management complementary therapies

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Self Help

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Raakel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short summary/overview of the condition with a holistic and emotionally validating approach. The book even has sections about dealing with people who minimise your invisible pain.

However, whilst I appreciated the validation, the author’s overall tone still often rubbed me the wrong way as it felt a bit infantilising sometimes. There were also many suggestions and pieces of advice that didn’t seem to have any proper medical sources backing them.

[Lauren Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the illness. Includes suggestions for lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, managing stress, etc.) and options for traditional and holistic treatment approaches.

[Stephanie Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to meet Christine in Tenerife and she has great understanding of this debilitating condition which is much maligned. A¬s a sufferer myself I found the tips in this book invaluable. A must for any sufferer's of a chronic pain and fatigue condition.

[Tria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only really worth reading if fibromyalgia is your primary illness. If you have it secondary to something else, even if fibro affects your life just as much as the primary, this book is almost useless.

I have fibromyalgia secondary to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type III (a.k.a. hypermobility syndrome), and a fair chunk of the ideas in this book would cause me more harm than good.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly stuff I already knew, but I came away with a couple new strategies.

[Rebecca Goldthorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful! My husband and I believe I've had fibromyalgia for decades but I've been experiencing a huge increase in issues for the past eleven years - since cancer was diagnosed. And even though I've now finished all treatments for the cancer, my ailments have continued. I have been physically disabled for those weekend years now and have lot both job and all income besides my PIP benefit. I can tick every common and less common affliction covered in this book, (and on our NHS website), and it's finally given me the confidence to approach my GP with questions about these ongoing, debilitating health issues I have. I went with my husband - as he helps me with both my physical and cognitive needs and the GP responses so positively. I had memory tests and blood tests arranged the same day and am now on my third batch of blood tests due to some results being abnormal and passing my memory test as expected. I feel I've been taken seriously and and so pleased my friend - who's a diagnosed fibromite, recommended and lent me. I was so taken by the content of this book I've now bought my own copy and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting answers as a sufferer of the condition of a supporter who wants to understand more.

[Rachel Bonnington · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful introduction to fibromyalgia, with a range of information on some of the theories of what causes this condition, medications, exercise, pain and stress management and alternative therapies.
I found the chapter on posture and exercise particularly useful.
My main criticism would be that almost no references are provided for the evidence behind these recommendations, and I was left wondering whether many of the 'essential' supplements and dietary changes Christine recommends are really as necessary as she makes out.
As a scientist, it also bothered me slightly that apparently equal importance was given to alternative therapies with very minimal evidence such as reflexology, reiki or the use of emu oil, as to therapies such as mindfulness, gentle exercise or talking therapies that have a much stronger evidence base in chronic pain.
Overall, a great primer to the condition - but maybe take some of the recommendations with a pinch of salt.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of helpful information for those who have been recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative. I have been struggling with fibromyalgia for so long, with the help of this book I am finally learning how to live with it.

[Hazel Louise Asiaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good resourcefull book. I will be returning to this often.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

this would be a great read for people newly diagnosed

[Geraldine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Warning: contains quackery and unevidenced pseudo-cures.

Overpriced for an out-of-date book of 128 pages. I started reading it more in hope than expectation, that it would contain insights not available from eg Adrienne Dellwo's awesome webpages, perhaps a specifically UK perspective.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/bio/A...

I read about quarter of the book, bland listing of symptoms, (some) possible causes. And then I looked at the possible treatments suggested. Herbs, cranial osteopathy and WOO...homeopathy. There is no evidence that any of these 'treatments' have any greater effect than placebo. In other words, some patients feel better after such treatments. This is due to either - it's nice to have a bit of one-on-one TLC or we seek treatments when we're at our lowest ebb: when we subsequently feel somewhat improved we put it down to a specific treatment rather than the oscillations of the syndrome.

These treatments may be harmful - inasmuch as they delay seeking proper evidence based medical advice for symptoms. At best, they're almost certainly more expensive than other ways to 'feel better' eg from a beauty salon, through socialising, or some form of 'retail therapy'.

I have returned this book to Amazon for a refund. I would strongly advise you not to read this. Someone who can claim that homeopathy has beneficial effects cannot be trusted to give any sort of quasi-medical advice and may be harmful.

I don't see any evidence of this having been reviewed by a doctor. This is not a good book.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Friendly but flawed

I was hoping for practical advice for symptom management. The dietary advice was all based on fallacious but popular food intolerance myths. I was concerned to see St John's Wort promoted as purely beneficial when it can be dangerous with other everyday medication and health contraindications. Stating chiropractic as 'non invasive' ignores the danger of stroke and unnecessary x-rays. I would, at least, prefer to see 'if you consider this, speak to your GP first' reiterations. Surprised to see the term "mental problems" used. Straddling the uneasy position of trying to claim that depression and anxiety in fibromyalgia is of purely physical aetiology yet trying to provide guidance for the stress caused by chronic illness. Maintenance of mental health stigma by the desire not to be dismissed as having a "purely psychological" problem doesn't do anybody any justice. I buy books by this publisher as they are normally good primers often written by professionals and I rank the information as pretty trustworthy. This book fell short of those expectations for me. I enjoyed the writer, I liked her happy, friendly style. She wrote clearly and informatively on one contentious issue and that was done very well. For a book by someone with a lived experience of an illness, a very broad range of topics was covered. I guess I will lose confidence when I see holes in the information I'm familiar with.

[Sybiee Colvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was always a tricky read for me -- a little too close to home in some areas and a little too complex in others. It's a relief to read things I barely acknowledge to myself, to prove I'm not totally alone. It's tricky because it doesn't get better and that relief doesn't fix the inherent pain or damage or endless secondary diagnoses I accumulate.

This is a fantastic book to read, it's full of information - perfect for the family, the person or anyone who fancies learning. But if like me, fixating on it (not just learning because that's different) makes it a little harder to bear and makes the grief of what was, what's lost, what could have been and what will eventually happen worse. Read carefully.

[Rowan Evenstar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Fibro book that I have read (actual paperback, not digital).
It came highly recommended, and I agree.

Nicely set out, easy to follow and quite comprehensive. Can get a little technical, but not overwhelming at all.

A good place for getting a basic understanding of the condition from someone who was a suffer herself.

She wrote and published the first British book on the condition around 1999/2000.

[sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you want to know is in this book. Very well written, factual.

Christine gives a very reliable,truthful insight to fibromyalgia. Not only brilliant for those suferng with the chronic condition but for families and friends to read too
The best love read so far,can't praise it enough

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely important read for friends and families of people with fibromyalgia. It will tell them everything you can't explain.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

honest & open book explaining the condition in detail along with possible associated conditions. a must for recently diagnosed fibromyalgics, their relatives & close friends.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had lots of information to take in which was helpful

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book which I will refer to again and again. Would recommend.