Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom from Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain

by Tami Stackelhouse, Ginevra Liptan (Foreword)

Are you tired of feeling like a prisoner in your own body? Do you want to find hope and be free of fibromyalgia symptoms and pain?

As a fibromyalgia patient, Tami Stackelhouse has gone from disabled to having her fibromyalgia in remission. In Take Back Your Life, you will learn how to use the techniques and strategies Tami utilized to get well – the same strategies she teaches her students and clients. More than just a lifestyle or self-management guide, this is a concise reference book woven with Tami’s own story.

This page-by-page survival guide is for action-oriented fibromyalgia patients who want to feel better as quickly as possible. It’s written for the patient overwhelmed with a new fibromyalgia diagnosis and for the fibro-veteran who is stuck and needs new ideas. It is also a great resource for the caring family and support team of anyone suffering with fibromyalgia.

In this guide, Tami discusses what it means to have a fibromyalgia diagnosis, from the perspective of someone who has lived with it daily. She will show you how to:
• Stop the pain
• Increase your energy
• Improve your quality of sleep
• Clear your brain fog
• Work with your doctor
• Help yourself heal
• Bring more joy into your life

If you are ready to take back control of your life and health, begin where countless others have found their key to freedom – in the pages of this book.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Medical

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2015

About the author

Tami Stackelhouse dreams of a day when all fibromyalgia patients have access to the knowledge, care, and support they need to thrive. She is doing all she can to make that dream come true. A fibromyalgia patient herself, Tami has gone from disabled to thriving, with her fibromyalgia now in remission. Her compassion, gentle support, and fun coaching style have helped fibromyalgia patients all over the world take back control of their lives.

Educating and encouraging fibromyalgia patients is Tami’s mission. You’ll find her sharing her knowledge and expertise on her Fibromyalgia Podcast®, Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, and Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® training programs. She is the founder of the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute, the first coaching institute dedicated solely to fibromyalgia, and the Sherri Little Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization providing micro-grants to chronic pain patients with limited resources. Tami is the author of Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom from Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain and The Fibromyalgia Coach: Feel Better, Change Lives, and Find Your Best Job Ever and executive producer of the fibromyalgia documentary "Invisible" (2022).

Tami lives in the suburbs of Seattle with her husband, Scott, and their cats, Sam and Maisey. When it’s raining, you'll find Tami by the fire with Sam in her lap, reading a murder mystery, and enjoying a cup of hot tea. On sunny days, you’ll find her on the back of Scott’s Harley or on her deck overlooking Mt. Rainier.

Reviews

[Carrie Kellenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tami Stackelhouse is well-known for her work as a Fibromyalgia coach. I received this book because she was a lead speaker at the 2016 Fibromyalgia Summit. I was able to listen to her speak for free and I was so impressed with what I learned, I ended up spending an additional $65 to gain access to all the speaker presentations as well as the resources they offered in the summit resource bundle

Stackelhouse has suffered from Fibromyalgia for years. Her recovery was a long, slow journey, but her journey took her from being disabled to being able to manage her condition with success. Take Back Your Life: Find Hope And Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms And Pain provides insight into how you can get your life back by offering simple tips to managing your new normal.

There were so many points in this book that I could relate to. At times, it felt like she was writing about my own story with Fibromyalgia. Although I hate that anyone has to deal with this, I found comfort in knowing that other people have experienced the same crazy symptoms and issues that I have.

Her writing style is simple and easy to understand. The book is laid out well and it is warm, positive, and helpful. It's one of the best Fibromyalgia books I've read in a long time. She also offers a number of downloadable resources in her book through her website. I really liked her worksheet for tracking medications and her idea about keeping track of your pain and handing it into your doctor each visit so that it can be included in your medical records. This helps if you need to file for disability at some point.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who has Fibromyalgia and/or CFIDS.

[Shari Ring Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

No new information

Oh I wish! Fibro is a fickle disorder. Some people do get past it. The symptoms wane, and by living healthy, it's simply a maintenance program and life doesn't have to change much. Fibro exists on a continuum. Some are only lightly affected after an initial flare. Others are bedridden and housebound, and everything in between. I struggled and single-mindedly searched for a cure for 15 years. Since my flares tend to come and go, I often thought of found that elusive cure, and blamed myself every time I had a returning flare: "I'm not doing it right!" I have tried so many protocols and techniques, including everything mentioned in this book-except for the blood test-that I could write a book four times it's size, I am not kidding!! Fibro/ CFS continues to progress in my body, along with other issues.
So after 15 years of spending A LOT of money, and putting life on hold to do the cure, find the cure... Whatever ...I have chosen to live differently. I manage symptoms the best I know how, I stay grateful for a new chapter in life that includes chronic illness, and practice a whole lot of acceptance. Not to say I don't take care of myself or see Drs when I need to, and read the occasional book about fibro-- like this one, to see if anything has changed. I have "my" life back, it's just not the same life I had before I got sick.
No, illness does not define me, but it is a part of who I am. I choose to be happy, even though my physical condition has not improved.
To all who can use the tips on this book or use a health coach and get satisfactory results, I salute and support you.
Personally, I found nothing new or helpful for me in this book.
It is a well written book, and it seems the author has a lot of projects going on. She sounds like a very nice person.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just finished reading Take Back Your Life. As someone who lives with Fibromyalgia, and has read almost everything out there, I found the book to be very positive, motivational, and helpful. I found some great new tips to incorporate into my life with Fibromyalgia, such as keeping a check on my energy levels with my pedometer, how to talk to my doctor about my issues, and a lot of motivation to not give up. I highly recommend this book written by a fellow Fibromyalgia thriver.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

In reading this book, the words that come to mind are… Relatable. This is another great guide from someone who has been there and knows. Accessible and or readable. It’s an easy read that is both informative and enjoyable. Well organized and practical. I loved the organization of the chapters, the questions to answer and apply to your own individual situation, the action steps, and that the book is chock full of usable information, applicable to a fibromyalgia patient's concerns and reality in the areas of work and daily life. An invaluable resource. Both of the author’s books belong on every fibromyalgia patient's book shelf or night stand.

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the fibro books I've browsed, this one surprised me by feeling the most packed with real information, options, suggestions, and truth. By the time I was done reading it was full of post-it tags of information to share with my loved ones on their fibro journeys. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from this little book, and it blew me away.

[Robbin Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good recommendations and reminders

I needed to read this, to remind me I am not my former self. Need to find someone to do the harder stuff and take it easier on myself.
Dog walking, floors, and food prep.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice review of the podcast plus a few extras. Got this from the library, but I might have to purchase it to flip through for reminders later on .

[Biani Ithandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful tool for Fibromyalgia patients

I loved this book! I started listening to the fibromyalgia podcast a little after my diagnosis and got the book almost right away, it has helped me so much already, it also encouraged me to get more involved with fibromyalgia coaching and my symptoms have been improving significantly. The book also helped me talk to my husband and family for helping them to understand better my disease.

I’m so grateful I found this b

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books about fibromyalgia out there. I love that it isn’t an “intro to fibro” book, it assumes that the reader has a basic knowledge as to the “what” is happening, and understands that everyone’s experience is different. It’s open minded in its recommendations and written in a non-judgmental tone, which is really nice to hear. Many books have a concrete “DO THIS” and you will be better platform. The author, a fibro sufferer herself, has taken care to see that all of her readers feel included in this book.

Ms. Stackelhouse went from being on disability to completing a 5K - to say she knows how to coexist with fibromyalgia would be an understatement! I appreciated the candor given when discussing various medications and herbs that can perhaps assist in fibromyalgia, with reasons why they are helpful (i/e the specific issue they assist with). The worksheets the author includes for tracking your meds and supplements are something I put into immediate rotation.

One of the exercises I haven’t dived into yet, but look forward to, is charting my “dream week”, which is essentially charting the times of days you feel good/bad and the activities taking place. Most people with chronic illness have heard of the Spoon Theory, but this is an actual game plan as to how to track your “spoons”, and pay attention to your body, taking into account the glorious fibro fog that can cripple people’s thought process. If it’s written down as its happening, you can see a pattern!

The biggest lightbulb moment I got from reading this book was that I finally connected the “why” of my fibromyalgia to the probable cause - “Don’t treat your body like it’s a donkey.” My type-A personality paired with insane amounts of stress just caused everything to short circuit out. “The fact is, without your body, you really can’t do anything. Your body is more than just part of you; she IS you” (77). I have fought my body for so long, its size, its aches, that I didn’t realize in criticizing it and hating it I was hating myself! Powerful stuff here.

I also plan on getting a pedometer, and tracking how many steps I take in a given day, and finding that "sweet spot" where my activity will stimulate me, and not overwhelm me.

This book is written with an excellent combination of knowledge, warmth, personal anecdotes and humor. I love the way it’s written, in organized chapters where you can quickly get a pep talk and advice on a particular issue that you are having with your fibro when you need it. This is a concise, helpful guide as to how to navigate the often confusing world of fibromyalgia. This is a book I will personally refer to again and again.

[Bonnie L. Boucek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fibromyalgia Coach: Feel Better, Change Lives, and Find Your Best Job Ever by Tami Stackelhouse is by far the best book out there about Fibromyalgia that I have had the pleasure of reading. Why? It boils down to three things. First, Tami, herself, suffers from Fibromyalgia; therefore, she understands what others with the illness suffer. Two, she knows what works for her and what doesn’t work for her and isn’t afraid to share her wealth of knowledge with others. Third, Tami is filled with compassion and is driven with need to help every person who has been given Fibromyalgia as a stumbling stone to find a path that they can once more follow. Hence, her book is one that must be read to help you, as a Fibromyalgia patient, find the courage to find your path and begin walking.

As I read the book, I noticed that she was very forthcoming with her own story. This was refreshing as most books dealing with Fibromyalgia are from doctors and are bogged down with scientific studies and terminology that a medical dictionary is often needed to just make it through a chapter. NOT Tami’s book! She keeps it real for those of us dealing with Fibromyalgia day to day with all the difficulties of “fibro fog” and flare-ups.

Tami also offers access to various worksheets to via her website to help answer questions she raises throughout her book. Nope, not going to give the website – you need the book for that! (***smile***) However, I will let you know that the questions are great, to the point, and extremely helpful to finding you that new path. So please, take advantage of Tami’s generous offer and use those resources.

I believe that my favorite part of the book is when Tami states “I don’t want to just get up, eat, work, eat, sleep, and eventually die. I want to make a difference in the world around me.” I firmly believe that most of us, if not all of us, want to do the same.

[Anne Blunsden · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a useful book for anyone living in the U.K. There are quite significant cultural and language differences. For example, the names of commonly used drugs are different as is the system of health care. I would imagine the cost of a 'healthcare team' would be prohibitive in both countries.

Of course there is useful advice here about managing our day to day lives but nothing here for an old hand. The author is obviously very passionate about her mission to make life more bearable for others but this is more likely to help those living in the U.S.A and/or those new to this miserable illness.

[E. Ardell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well organized, casually delivered information

I read this book because a healthcare professional who interviewed me but did no tests suggested that I might have fibromyalgia. I didn't know what it was and he told me to read up on it. After doing so, I thought he was nuts, but then I read this book to confirm. I learned so much about the condition in an easy to read, very conversational manner. The book is well organised and personable. At its conclusion I also concluded that I do not have fibromyalgia, but learned the ways a doctor can diagnose it that my doctor did not do. I would highly recommend this book to individuals suffering from this illness.

[Glenys Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tami has managed to turn her diagnosis of Fybromyalgia on its head to being a gift for others. I shall certainly be recommending this book to friends who have the same diagnosis but would say that it is a read for everyone to be able to understand Fybromyalgia that much better. It is not a diagnosis that is greatly understood but Tami explains with words of hope rather than self pity. A fabulous read thank you.

[Hannah S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such an encouraging find for those of us who have been living (or 'trying' to live) with chronic pain and fatigue. Tami really understands our multitude of complex challenges and explains them in such clear, easy-to-understand, and creative ways. Not only does she know what's wrong, but she also gives much hope and help along the way.

[Michelle Bibliovino · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author has clearly suffered a great deal and managed to reclaim her life from this soul-sucking disease. However, I was discouraged by how she believed anyone could completely retool their life in response to it. I don't have that luxury, and my guess is few do. The fact that a good portion of her coaching metaphor was perfecting her nightly bath routine felt patronizing.

[Jessie Entwistle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent source

This book is not the first book that I've read on fibro but to me it has been most helpful, with the tips, tricks, and strategies presented in this book. Whether you're newly diagnosed with fibro or a veteran fibro warrior there's something in here for each fibro patient.

[Edi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information.

Good practical information regarding fibromyalgia and managing lifestyle. No information on myocardial pain syndrome included. Links to good information and references. Sometimes felt like a big advertisement for the lifestyle coach program there were so many links back to that entity.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best so far

So far, this is the best book I have read about fibromyalgia. The author has personal experience with it, being a sufferer herself as well as a coach. This book is incredibly informative as it offers a wealth of information and remedies, as well as guidance for assembling your care team.

[Emma Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suffering with fibromyalgia patients can often feel trapped - like a prisoner in their own bodies. With Tami Freedom is within the readers grasp. A delightful author Tami offers the key that unlocks a world of hopefulness that leads them towards regaining control of their destiny.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was informative and inspiring. It's helpful to learn about someone else's struggle and how they learned to cope and get better. She provides some general suggestions and an overall guide for moving forward, without being too preachy or judgmental.

[Kathy Bricco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the new, revised edition released in 2022. The print edition was not even available yet. This edition updates the statistics and studies since the first edition. Also includes a chapter on brain fog that was not in the first edition.

[COURIOUSLY READING · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fibromyagia book

No new info. Average fibromyalgia help book. Easy to Read. The basics! Average fibro book. No new concepts really. Basic

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

She has been there and done that. Good advice and straight forward. Quick read

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

very helpful and offers very good alternatives and methods to help this horrible illness. highly recommend