The FibroManual: A Complete Fibromyalgia Treatment Guide for You and Your Doctor

by Ginevra Liptan

The most up-to-date, comprehensive treatment guide to fibromyalgia, by a renowned physician who herself has the condition
 
If you suffer from fibromyalgia and are struggling to get help from your doctor, you’re far from alone. Ten million Americans experience the widespread muscle pain, profound fatigue, and fuzzy brain (“fibrofog”) that have long frustrated both patients and doctors. In this unique resource, Ginevra Liptan, M.D., shares a cutting-edge new approach that goes far beyond mainstream medical knowledge to produce dramatic symptom improvement.
 
Dr. Liptan’s program incorporates clinically proven therapies from both alternative and conventional medicine, along with the latest research on experimental options like medical marijuana. Since many health care providers have limited fibromyalgia expertise, The FibroManual includes a thoroughly sourced “health care provider guide” that enables readers to help their doctors help them.
 
Alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms in four simple steps (Rest, Repair, Rebalance, and Reduce) and you will
 
• restore deep, restful sleep
• achieve long-lasting pain relief
• optimize hormone and energy balance
• reduce fatigue
 
This accessible and empowering resource provides essential information about understanding and treating fibromyalgia from a physician who, as both patient and provider, understands the illness from the inside.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Medical, Self Help, Reference, Disability, Science

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2016

About the author

Ginevra Liptan, M.D. is a graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine, board-certified in internal medicine, and trained in functional medicine, a holistic approach that blends both western and alternative medicine. After developing fibromyalgia as a medical student, Dr. Liptan spent many years using herself as guinea pig to find successful treatments, and has fine-tuned her approach by treating thousands of patients.

She is one of the few clinical specialists in the world to focus solely on fibromyalgia, and directs The Frida Center for Fibromyalgia in Portland, Oregon. She also serves as medical advisor to the Fibromyalgia Information Foundation and is on the board for the non-profit Mastering Pain Institute.

She is the author of The FibroManual: A Complete Fibromyalgia Treatment Guide for You and Your Doctor and Figuring out Fibromyalgia: Current Science and the Most Effective Treatments.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a lot out of The FibroManual and so did a family member who borrowed the book. Great resource on fibromyalgia with both natural treatments and traditional medicine-based treatments. Lots of resources on diet, exercise, allergen testing, various drugs and therapies and other treatment options.

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

While in medical school, Dr. Ginerva Liptan discovered that she was suffering Fibromyalgia. Of that time, she says: "I finally accepted that I had fibromyalgia. I felt hopeless and helpless. I told myself that it wasn't fatal - it wasn't 'cancer' - but it still felt like a death sentence."

This may sound strange, but I was thrilled when I read the above quote. My first thought was that I couldn't believe that a medical doctor had ever felt the way I seem to feel every day. My second thought was one of hope. "Okay" I said to myself, "Maybe I've finally found the perfect book. Maybe this book will contain less theory and more practical advice for living with this horribly debilitating disease."

I love the fact that when the author was diagnosed, her initial response was the same as mine; to read every relevant book she could find and to try each and every treatment option available.

Ginerva Liptan states that her problems (and her frustration) were compounded by her extreme fatigue and lack of energy. I know EXACTLY what she means since I am currently in the same situation.

Dr. Genevra Liptan does an amazing job of describing fibromyalgia in terms that anyone can understand. She also addresses the fact that some people and even some doctors do not believe in the existence of fibromyalgia. She also points out that the disbelief is rapidly diminishing due to the overwhelming amount of evidence and extensive scientific testing that has taken place in the past few years that conclusively proves that fibromyalgia is all too real. She points out that: "Even at rest, fibromyalgia muscles show a level of lactic acid you would expect in someone who has run a 5K race." As well as the fact fibromyalgia sufferers experience constant tension in their muscles and that: "Nonstop muscle tension is equivalent to nonstop exercise. No wonder we're tired and our muscles hurt."

Once Dr. Ginerva Liptan explains exactly what fibromyalgia is and how it affects the lives of those suffering with it, she then dedicates the rest of the book to helping readers create a personalized plan to alleviate and/or control their symptoms.

The plans are exceptionally detailed and yet easily understandable.

Why would anyone suffering with fibromyalgia not try her ideas?

The fact that Dr. Liptan is also a fibromyalgia sufferer gives her a unique perspective that most doctors cannot and do not have. Also, it gives readers of the book confidence in her advice because she truly understands how it feels to have fibromyalgia.

She has also created worksheets to fill out as well as information sheets that readers can give to the doctor that they are currently using.

To take it an extra step further, she has also created a companion website and has included (in the book) links to many different web resources that readers may find helpful.

As far as I am concerned, this book is now my new bible. I will be following her plans and as soon as the book is available to buy, I will be purchasing a copy of it to give to my family doctor.

This book deserves 10 stars, but since the highest rating I can give is 5 stars, I rate THE FIBROMANUAL as an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For anyone who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, for anyone who deals with patients who have fibromyalgia or for anyone whose loved one has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia or even for anyone who just wants to expand their knowledge about this disease; this is a MUST BUY, MUST READ book.

~ I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Read more of my reviews on my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com

[Mary (literary_bear) · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some aspects of this book that felt really validating and helped put into perspective a lot of seemingly random symptoms. I had not seen fibromyalgia described as a hyperactive stress response before and that has really changed my understanding of the condition. This perspective helps inform why fibromyalgia affects so many women who’ve experienced trauma. It also explains why fibro patients don’t feel rested, even after having been asleep for a full 8+ hours. It’s described in the book as “sleeping with one eye open” and that rings really true for me.

Unfortunately, these medically-based realizations are only about a third of the book. A lot of the treatments seem to be focused in homeopathic or alternative medicines. I’m okay with hearing about possible supplements, but the author lost me with energy healing (yes, really). It is really difficult to have an illness that can’t be diagnosed through regular tests and it makes you really start second-guessing yourself and what you’re feeling. Suggestions to treat that illness with questionable methods makes me feel even more confused about the validity of the sensations that I experience. I found several sections really exasperating and disappointing because of the largely unfounded treatments suggested.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The FibroManual is the only book I've looked at that clearly and intelligently puts all the medical evidence for treating fibro in one place.

I was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and the lack of answers about its nature/features left me feeling like there wasn't much I could do to fix things. The other books that I'd flipped through were vague and unhelpful. However, Liptan offers a highly researched guide to a ton of possible treatments. Honestly, my whole life has been put into perspective by this book. Liptan's characterization of the syndrome made sense in every possible way, and she's backed up her hypothesis with years of studies and research.

Please, if you have fibro, read this book. Finding answers shouldn't be as difficult as it is, but until we all have doctors who know all this information and can apply it, we have to bring the information to them.

[Nikki Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am grateful for this book and have begun working through the steps with my health care provider. That said I don’t feel good about the endless string of pharmaceuticals discussed. I personally prefer a more natural approach but she’s a doctor recommending medical solutions. I still give it 4 stars as if is well written with a clearly defined plan despite the overwhelming complexity of it all.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this book had existed when I first got diagnosed fifteen years ago! Very thorough overview, lots of reassurance to help cut down on overwhelm, and I still learned a few things even as an 'expert patient'.

[Syl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn’t wish fibro on anyone, but I am grateful Dr. Ginerva shared her personal experience, when most times doctors don’t believe us fibromyalgia patients are actually suffering. what a refreshing perspective on fibromyalgia and the turmoil it can come with!!!

I especially appreciated the tips on how to stay active/exercise in ways that are safe for fibro patients. so often we hear “just move around, it helps!” but people without fibro don’t realize how much that can harm us. the tips have definitely helped on the days I can move.

I also appreciate how everything is laid out in simple, to-the-point explanations, definitions, etc. It doesn’t feel like you’re being talked down to by a medical professional as you read. It feels like fibromyalgia patients are finally being heard by a doctor for once.

highly recommend even skimming through, or keeping on hand to read over time, if you struggle with fibromyalgia. I bring it with me to my PCP visits now, and that has helped too.

everyone’s experience with fibro and the treatments available are different, and not a “one size fits all”, but if anything this is worth a try if you’re looking for ways to realistically treat your pain, both physical and mental.

[Kelly Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me a while to get through because it's a lot to digest- especially with fibro fog (almost a year). Incredibly informative and truly a little medical guide in a book; like a fibromyalgia bible. Some information is outdated (that's science baby) and obviously you should consult with a doctor but there's even a guide in there for doctors. It also lists out all of the studies it references in the back. Everything is super well organized. If you can't afford to consistently see a doctor this book could be a life safer. Keeping this one around in my house so I can have informed conversations about my health with my HCP.

[Hkitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is interesting and does have some useful tips and information. I was disappointed by how American the advice was, and a lot of it was not relevant to UK treatment. I purchased this book as many reviews named it as the best resource, which I do not agree with. Somewhat useful but not brilliant.

[Carrie Kellenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're going to read one book about fibromyalgia, then this is the book you MUST read!

[Nicole C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A definite tick in the pro column is that this was written by a doctor WITH the condition, so who better to understand how her patients feel? It's easy to read and reiterates action items at the end, so if you're enveloped in a current bout of fibro fog, you can still get a lot out of it. In addition, I think there's a good balance between otc supplements and pharmaceuticals.

Cons are that it hasn't been updated in some years, so would have appreciated updated studies. Also, while I feel sometimes pharmaceutical intervention gets pushed over everything else, there are also some items leaning towards "woo." Like energy healing.

There were a few new items I hadn't considered for myself, so I'll be looking further into those.

[Jules (Never enough time to read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and packed full of useful and interesting information.

It is definitely helping me with getting my head around a fibromyalgia diagnosis. I will be following up and re-reading large parts of the book.

Recommended.

[Kelly H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book for anyone who has fibromyalgia.

[Clyde Macalister · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's recommendable as a supplement, and even a major supplement, to research for self-treatment but not sufficient as a standalone book.

I think I will start with the downsides before the upsides: Lipton seems motivated and competent at what she does, and I think if I were able to have her as a doctor and specialist for my fibromyalgia in person, I would jump at the opportunity without a second thought. However, the quality of a doctor is often not the same as the quality of her book: although the book is worthwhile on the whole, I feel it exhibits several problems.

Among them is that she doesn't at all even mention, let alone discuss, the issue of facial numbness and tension that fibromyalgia has foisted upon me in addition to the other symptoms.

Many of the non-Rx treatments she recommends have absolutely no science to validate them (the citations she uses for this I assume use bad methodology, though I didn't check them correctly since I have already read the science behind these particular subjects in depth). To give an example, she recommends brain training programs like Lumosity: I used that for years (before my fibromyalgia) and can tell you anecdotally that all that does is use up one's spare cognitive resources for the day; I saw no benefit over time. To give non-anecdotal evidence, the science backs up my finding that its benefits after correcting for the placebo effect are modest in the best of cases, and such benefits aid mostly in things like slowing brain deterioration with aid. Things like (for example) IQ are effected not a damn by brain training. But a person with brain fog will only make their problems worse because it tires the brain out. A problem that is biochemical and physiological in origin simply cannot be improved by CBT-like approaches like brain training apps.

It would also have been nice if she had given more details on how to self-administer myofascial release. I don't have the money to see a specialist because of my pervasively disabling chronic health problems, but I tried it on myself with a device from Amazon ostensibly devoted to myofascial release, but all it did was make my flu-like aching even worse.

The upside of the book is that she does a great deal to illustrate that chronic bad sleep is the cornerstone of all of fibromyalgia and methods of improving your sleep (which require more than what is recommended in the book, since the cause of sleep problems varies considerably from one person to the next).

On the whole, I think the failings of the book must not be blamed on the author, who I am willing to grant as done her best and has even done well compared to other doctors who would be doing their best, but instead on the various socialist interventions in medicine in the United States that artificially restrict the supply of medicine. For example, grown adults morally speaking have zero obligation to get permission from bureaucrats at the FDA to use medicines they need to treat their health problems, and all prescription drug laws do is restrict the supply of medicine and lower their quality. The limitations of the abilities of doctors are more often than not not the fault of the doctors but the massive restrictions imposed by medical socialism. (If you think the United States does not already have socialist medicine, it makes it far more difficult for someone like you to explain Medicare, Medicaid, the government regulated, controlled, restricted, protected, and subsidized medical insurance industry, the FDA, the CDC, "certificate of need" laws in 35 states, the government monopoly on licensure, ad nauseum).

As of the post, I have not yet read doctor Rodger Murphree's book on fibromyalgia, which just arrived yesterday, but I take it that the two together should be far more helpful than either of them individually.

[Joseph Inzirillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic resource for sufferers of fibromyalgia who are recently diagnosed.

Going into this, I had ideas of what I thought this disease was, only to learn more in the first few chapters than I ever really knew. (I was diagnosed back in April but have assumed this was what I had for a few years.)

Learning the facts about sleep, the random pains and especially about the fight or flight response was eye opening for me. I have learned ways to help mitigate the issues while also understanding what is happening.

I have learned that as a genetically predisposed male (family history of fibromyalgia), that I was a perfect storm waiting for trauma to trigger the disease…. Enter the Army and Iraq.

This book helped me to make sense of a disease that doesn’t typically happen in males and helped me understand why.

If you just got diagnosed or have had this terrible disease for years, this book is full of great information and is written by someone who not dedicated her life to understanding it but also suffers along side us.

[Mona Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read The FibroManual by Ginerva Liptan, M.D. because my daughter has had fibromyalgia for three years. It is a condition with severe muscle pain, profound fatigue, and fuzzy brain (“fibrofog”) that frustrates both patients and doctors. As a parent, I wanted to understand more about this condition. The tagline of the book, A Complete Treatment Guide, and the fact that the writer is a medical doctor( graduate of Tufts University) got my attention.

This is a difficult condition for others to understand but Dr. Liptan described the symptoms, possible causes, and treatment in layperson's terms. She herself has fibromyalgia, which interrupted her medical education until she found how to manage the condition.

The chapters are well written in non-medical jargon, highlighted in important areas, and reinforced by summarizing the main points. What I liked about the book was the ability to pinpoint information and treatment options that one could discuss with their physician. There is an extensive section on references and resources in the back of the book.

I have spoken with my daughter about the findings and although she discovered a few items on her own to help her condition (no artificial sweeteners, Epson salt baths, and melatonin supplements) there is far more she can do to minimize her pain. She is hopeful that treatment will significantly help her and I'm thankful for this book.

I did chose this ebook to review from Netgalley and have given an honest review.

[Carrie Kellenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and it absolutely should be on your top five lists if you suffer from fibromyalgia or know someone who suffers from fibromyalgia. It's full of fantastic information that you can refer back to.

First of all, I always appreciate when doctors write about their conditions. Dr. Liptan also has fibromyalgia and she is a renowned physician who I started following at my first fibromyalgia summit many years ago. She has updated her book several times and she has also continued to present at these summits and just recently presented at Fibro Summit 2022 organized by Dr. Rodger Murphree.

Dr. Liptan's book breaks clinically proven therapies into conventional medicine treatments as well as alternative treatments, and she covers a wide variety of topics from covering everything from your adrenals to a thorough explanation of muscles, fascia, and your CNS. She also focuses on techniques that you can use to help alleviate your fibromyalgia symptoms in four simple steps: Rest, Repair, Rebalance, and Reduce.

There's more! Dr. Liptan covers deep sleep and offers sleep facts for fibromyalgia patients. (I recognized myself in her descriptions. She offers ideas for achieving long-lasting pain relief, optimizing hormones and energy, reducing fatigue and more. There's a reason why this is called The Fibro Bible. I absolutely recommend reading it and I know I'll be referring back to it for information!

[Cranky Commentary (Melinda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely impressed with this book. No fads, no quirky ideas, no impossible to follow diets or exercise routines to stop someone before they even start. The author is a young woman who was bedridden at one time with fibromyalgia. She completely understands the pain, and disability it causes. She knows what it’s like to be misunderstood by the health profession, and is a health care professional.

The thing I loved most was the thorough explanation of fibromyalgia causes. I worked in health care over 40 years, and “they” told us fibromyalgia was “not real”, a “fad” diagnosis, and a hypochondriac’s dream. Imagine what a b***** karma has been for me!

The gentle warm ups contained in this book are easy and relaxing. Patients are told every day by their health care providers, “you need to exercise”. If you tell them exercise hurts, even with traditional stretches, you are seen as a complainer. Once again, it is all your fault that you are sick.

There is so much good information here, one cannot possibly retain all the knowledge the first time through. I will be referring back to this manual over and over. There is advice for everything you can think of.

Does it work? I just read the book, soooo.... But everything I read makes perfect sense to me, and I will feel less ashamed and more motivated to once again try to tackle this very painful condition.

[Simonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is simply the best resource on fibromyalgia I have come across, and is probably the last book on the topic I'll ever need. Dr. Liptan, a physician with fibromyalgia, throughly covers what fibromyalgia is - and isn't - and provides research-backed treatment options. The best feature of this book is that she breaks things down into what you can do on your own, and what to take to your health care provider. I'll certainly be revisiting certain chapters as I implement her suggestions. If you or a loved one have fibromyalgia, you need to read this book.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rheumatologist who diagnosed me with fibromyalgia in June 2023 recommended this book in the after visit summary I was given. It was on a list with a couple of podcasts that are no longer recording, and a resource website that is gone.

While I’ve appreciated some of the insights, there’s also some stuff that’s right out of the wellness-to-woo pipeline. The author gives attention to “leaky gut”, something that only applies to people diagnosed as celiac. She then advocates for energy healing alongside pharmaceutical interventions.

[Kurisu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read this book over some of the other books on fibromyalgia because a it's written by a doctor and b it's full of references to medical journals and provides an evidence-based background to her ideas. I also liked some of the small suggestions that have helped me to track my pain and fatigue as well as other symptoms that might be involved. I work at a library so I don't often buy books but this is one but I'm going to buy because I use it almost everyday.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dont think this was the best place for me to start my fibromyalgia reading journal, despite it being so many people's top pick; I feel very overwhelmed with a lot of information about a bunch of different medications that I probably won't ever take. I'd like to revisit this book in a few years time once I have more experience with this condition under my belt as I feel it's probably very helpful, I just don't know how to use the information right now.

[Jill Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really easy to read and comprehensive guide to treatments. It's especially helpful because each chapter is summarized at the end with things you can do on your own, and things you may want to discuss with your healthcare provider. I would recommend this to anyone suffering from fibromyalgia.

[Monique Woolacott-Kalmokoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loads of good info but almost overwhelming after first being diagnosed. Highly recommended. But this would not be the only source of information I would use since it gives a lot of pharmaceutical advice which I'm not willing to do. It did help me get started on the road to recovery and helped me identify what all the main fibro symptoms were.

[mecalers New Xx]

A new lease of life

I carnt recommend this book enough it's been life changing for me i didn't believe there was help for fibro
I was ask to read this by my gp
I now understand so much on how to help my self

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a 3 because I've read way too many books trying to figure my health out and there was nothing new here. That said, the author organized her thoughts and content in a way that it is truly a manual that can be used for reference.

[Luke O'Neill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could do with a British version

[Lisa Eirene · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. It was very heavy on medications and pain pill for management. There were some tidbits in there that were like "oh! That's why I experience X,YZ" but overall not that helpful for me.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was overwhelmed to get the diagnosis: fibromyalgia. I had only heard of it in passing and I had the impression that it's a sort of victorian ladies' complaint: general malaise and weakness and unwellness, possibly psychosomatic, but definitely a failure of personality rather than body. I had just picked up on the cultural feelings about fibro-- sort of a fake diagnosis, a mixed plate of "you're unwell but there's no reason why, here's a word."

So when I went to my doctor with toe to hairline pain and all the tests came back normal, she kindly said, "it's fibromyalgia."
Huh. Okay? I thought. What does that mean.....? Does that mean I'm a hypochondriac? Does that mean I'm chronically ill? Does that mean it's all in my head and I need to toughen up??? Does that mean I have a serious illness and I need to rethink what my goals and future look like?

I had no clue. I hit, predictably, the books.

This book is one of the first that pops up when you search for fibromyalgia. And overall I found it useful. Dr. Liptan frames her work in her own experience of the disease, her experiences dealing with and then treating patients with fibromyalgia, and the medical, anecdotal, and alternative treatments that get a lot of airtime in the fibro-verse.

The take-aways are interesting:
-Fibromyalgia is not a fake disease or hypochondria. There are real bodily processes that are happening in a specific way that are causing real widespread pain in multiple connective tissue areas.
-The root cause is that the nervous system is stuck in a chronic stress response-- the sympathetic nervous system is constantly prepared for action.
-There is a genetic predisposition for fibro, and then the disease is triggered by trauma-- injury, infection, or a traumatic event.
-There is no cure, just management. The management is essentially: fixing sleep issues to produce adequate growth hormones for body repair, calming the stress response, fixing digestive issues by identifying food sensitivities and aiding absorption of nutrients. Address muscle pain by relaxing fascia (the connective tissue that encases muscles). Once the essential problems of poor sleep and constant stress and gut problems are on their way to repair, you deal with pain, mood, fog and fatigue issues.

The author combines a wide range of supportive treatment: conventional sleep aids and EMDR and energy work and supplements and diet and anti-depressants and pain management-- but always with studies and additional information to back up her suggestions.

I came away from this book basically determined to be more diligent about sleep hygiene, allow myself to have low-impact workouts more frequently instead of high intensity battle royale workouts that knock me out for a week, and diet changes to identify the food sensitivities that I have been dancing around for years.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has become my bible! After 17 years of having this condition, I have decided to admit to myself that I do in fact have Fibromyalgia, and am addressing a lot of issues (finally!) with the help of this book. This book was written about me!! (Or that’s what I feel like when I’m reading it.) I haven’t read it in order but I also got the diet book that Dr. Liptan wrote with a colleague. Since reading that at the end of April, I first went gluten free. I was amazed what it did for my pain and then, unexpectedly, for my menopause symptoms. Next, my daughter came back from her first year at college as a vegan. So now we are all doing it, and I feel even better! Even though that’s not part of the plan, you cannot eat a vegan diet and eat all the terrible things that are also pain triggers. Also I started taking 3-4 supplements that are recommended. It has all helped and I feel healthy for the first time in a long long while. If only my insurance would cover massage therapy, then it would all be perfect! Oh! I have registered with the medical marijuana program and am using CBD which helps a lot as well. This was all inspired my this book which was not written for medical people, but for actual people, like me, who had tried and failed to navigate fibromyalgia with only western medicine. I wish I had found this book sooner but I am grateful that I have it now!! Thank you Dr. Liptan!!!