The First Year: Multiple Sclerosis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed

by Margaret Blackstone, Margaret Blackstone

One of the most widely recommended guides to living with multiple sclerosis, now completely revised and updated, including the latest research, the most recent information on treatments (including the news on Tysabri®), and new tips for managing MS. Multiple sclerosis is as much a mystery as it is a disease, but this chronic and often disabling condition of the central nervous system affects over 400,000 people nationwide. From the moment of her diagnosis in 2000, Margaret Blackstone took charge and educated herself on every aspect of her condition. Now, as a "patient-expert," she guides those newly diagnosed step-by-step through their first year with MS. She provides crucial information about: The most up-to-date treatment options Effective alternative therapies Choosing the right medical team Discussing your condition with family, friends, and co-workers Current medical research Stress management and exercises Extensive online and community resources Strategies for accomplishing necessary lifestyle changes

Genres: Health

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Sfdreams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from the library when I was still reeling from my diagnosis. I found this very informative and helpful. In fact, I intend to buy this book so that I can fully utilize the information within.

This book takes you through the first year after diagnosis. The first 7 chapters cover the first seven days of diagnosis...the first day is appropriately titled Reeling...with a brief synopsis in a sentence of what was covered at the end of each chapter. Then each week is covered in a single chapter until the end of the first month; and then each month is covered in a single chapter until the end of the first year: each with an ending synopsis, and with periodic milestones along the way.

In the process of reading the book (I read it faster than it should have been read, due to the time constraints of a library book) one learns more about the disease and how to cope, along with information about the drugs used to treat and the strategies for living a "normal" as possible life.

This is one of two books that I have found extremely helpful and I highly recommend it.

[Heather Dugger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The was one of the very first books I picked up to learn more about my condition that I was recently diagnosised with. Has a lot of good information in it and I would suggest it to my family and friends to understand what is going on, if they wanted to. I'm sure I'll refer to it down the line.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this, but it was so good, I lent it to the folks to read, hoping it would calm my mom down. It has a wealth of information, but is now a little out of date (ie the meds).

[Tom]

It's a little late for the "first year" part - I was diagnosed in Oct. 2006. About time I caught up.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it, but there isn't enough information about the main treatments potential side effects and the existence of day-to-day symptoms.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read. Lots of helpful information. Encouraging. I really appreciated the glossary.