First Year: Fibromyalgia

by Claudia Craig Marek, R. Paul St. Armand (Foreword)

Fibromyalgia affects between three and six million Americans -- 80 percent of whom are women -- yet remains one of the most difficult conditions to identify and diagnose. In the tradition of the other titles in the First Year series, The First Fibromyalgia uses a unique approach -- guiding readers through their first seven days following diagnosis, then the next three weeks of their first month, and finally the next eleven months of their first year -- to provide answers and advice that will help everyone newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia come to terms with their condition and the lifestyle changes that accompany it. Starting with the day of diagnosis, patient-experts Florence and Marek provide vital information about the nature of fibromyalgia, choosing the right doctors, treatment options, psychological issues, holistic alternatives, self-management strategies, illustrative charts and tables, and much more. The First Fibromyalgia will be a supportive and educational resource for everyone who wants to take an active role in the management of their condition.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Medical, Disability, Reference

369 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2003

Reviews

[Rah~ri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books on F.M.S.
seem as though they are trying to sell you on something,
A Doctor, A Drug, A Technique.
One of the Very Few books on F.M.S.
I would actually recommend.
Actually,
I tend to recommend it for the first 5 years.

[Krysta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look at me, taking care of my health all responsible-like. Also, the first half of the book made me feel relief, seeing my symptoms and experiences shared with another person. The last half was all resources, redundant for an obsessive Google-searcher like myself but beneficial for those who aren't as enchanted by search engines.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was by far the best book that I've read on Fibromyalgia. It went in to different aspects that are not normally talked about such as travel, pregnancy, etc.

[Tisha]

just starting!!

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

More harm than good. It has a lot of information compiled if you are willing to sift through her judgemental, harmful, and generally bad takes.

[Lyndsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it's written by a woman who suffers from fibro. It's very different than reading someone whose medical specialty is fibro but they don't have it. Also, women's experiences, particularly with getting doctors to take them seriously, are different than men's.

What I don't like about this book is that she's also employed in the health care industry by a doctor whose speciality is fibro. He uses a particular protocol to treat it, but it hasn't been verified by research. Her slant toward that treatment is a little off-putting.

All in all though, not a bad read for people who have fibro.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of a mixed bag. Parts of it were really outdated (chapters on how to use a computer and a search engine?), but parts were helpful and something I haven't seen in a lot of other fibro books (the psychological/emotional impact, helping other people understand, etc.). I could have done without the 3+ chapters proselytizing "low carb" diets as if that's the only food/diet information to consider - there's nothing here about how artificial sweeteners and chemical additives can trigger symptoms, how food sensitivities or allergies OTHER THAN "carbs" can play a role, etc.

[Carol Mann Agency]

Fibromyalgia affects between three and six million Americans—80 percent of whom are women—yet remains one of the most difficult conditions to identify and diagnose. In the tradition of the other titles in the First Year series, The First Year—Fibromyalgia uses a unique approach—guiding readers through their first seven days following diagnosis, then the next three weeks of their first month, and finally the next eleven months of their first year—to provide answers and advice that will help everyone newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia come to terms with their condition and the lifestyle changes that accompany it. Starting with the day of diagnosis, patient-experts Florence and Marek provide vital information about the nature of fibromyalgia, choosing the right doctors, treatment options, psychological issues, holistic alternatives, self-management strategies, illustrative charts and tables, and much more. The First Year—Fibromyalgia will be a supportive and educational resource for everyone who wants to take an active role in the management of their condition.

[Cat Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book to a friend newly diagnosed with FMS it has a lot of info for those just starting out and for me it was a lot of I already know that since I received "official" diagnoises over 3 yrs ago but have faced issues for about 15 yrs now without a name for them.

Its a good one to go back and look at when you need a reminder that you need to keep a journal because you just cant remember a thing that happened on monday sometimes and that when pain levels are high its hard to remember if they went down in the afternoon or not and was it in the joints or was it only in the muscles on tuesday because now its thursday and its gotten so bad and hurts all over...

[Heidi Clifton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy to read book esp. for someone who's newly diagnosed or someone who has a family member or friend with fibromyalgia. I didn't give it a 5, because I thought it lacked some details. I might be a bit biased as my first read on the subject (about 3 years ago) was more technical and detailed ("Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain" by Davin Starlanyl & Mary Ellen Copeland)and I'm a details girl.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview and game plan - the parts about nutrition (advocate of low carb/glycemic) were particularly helpful. This is a "no excuses, just do it to feel better" approach, some tough love, which I related to well. I just haven't focused on the diet change yet, but will reread that chapter when I'm ready for it.

[Tracy Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts are extremely helpful but others talk as if you are exhausted 24/7 and are helpless. I am still fairly active and have fibro plus AI disease. I think the mind is a very powerful ally in overcoming obstacles. I do have crash days, but am rarely bedridden continuously as this book suggests many are. Does it make my pain less real? No.

[Glenda]

I'm learning sooo much. I actually got to meet her when I went to my appt. with Dr. St. Amand. Good book for anyone's library. You'll refer to it again and again.

[Relaynie]

fibromyalgia

[dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best Fibro book I've read. It has a good mix of advice and info. It discusses the research and history of the disease and helps you find your way through fog and dr.s

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book so far! Answers a lot of questions about recently being diagnosed.

[Reighnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers many topics and is easy and straightforward to read. Really put fibro into perspective for me.

[RaLea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the best fibromyalgia book I've read- informative, easy to understand, and comprehensive.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book pretty useful although I disliked the uncomfortable/inappropriate gender stereotyping/assumptions which cropped up throughout.

[Clara McKoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent information source. She has a simple and effortless narrative, not using that "for doctors only" style. It was fundamental to answer most of the 1000000 questions I had - A lifesaver.