SUGGESTED  READING

07/24/2005

The featured book: In the new book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fibromyalgia, (Alpha Books, ISBN: 1-59257-367-3, June 2005) author Lynne Matallana, founder and president of the National Fibromyalgia Association, and medical editors Laurence Bradley, Ph.D., Stuart Silverman, M.D., and Muhammad Yunus, M.D., provides an excellent resource for individuals who've recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia or have decided to explore new ways to actively manage their condition. Cutting through the history and medical jargon found in more exhaustive reference books, the book focuses on the essential information individuals need to know in order to effectively understand and manage the condition. After years of struggling with the condition Matallana herself was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1995, and in 2001 published the first consumer magazine focusing on the illness - Fibromyalgia AWARE.

Please visit the Store at: FMAWARE



"Fibromyalgia Syndrome-An Informational Guide for FMS Patients, Their Families, Friends and Employers": Informational brochure written by Robert Bennett, M.D., regarding symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, support groups, research and information resources. To order send a self addressed, stamped envelope to: National Fibromyalgia Research Association, Inc. P.O. Box 500 Salem, OR 97308. The first copy is free.

"Alternative Medicine Guide to Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia:" Burton Goldberg .  Published 1998

A Companion Volume to Dr. Jay A. Goldstein's Betrayal by the Brain : A Guide
for Patients and Their Physicians Katie Courmel, Jay A. Betrayal by the Brain Goldstein

AHA exercise pamphlet: Low impact & stretching  Call 1-800-AHA-USA1

Betrayal By the Brain: The Neurologic Basis of Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Related Disorders. By Jay Goldstein, M.D.  Available through Haworth Medical Press at 1-800-3-Haworth

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Charting Your Course to Recovery By, Mary O'Brien M.D. She shares her personal and professional fight with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  Available at Anadem Publishing, Inc. 1-800-633-0055 $14.25 plus S&H Anadem.com

"Chronic Illness and Uncertainty: A Personal and Professional Guide to Poorly Understood Symptoms" By Don Goldenberg, MD  Dorset Press, Newton Lower Falls, MA  A physician's guide to coping with FM, fatigue, migraines, insomnia, back pain and depression. One of the first ever Drs. to publish anything about FM in JAMA. Touches on dealing with an illness not widely accepted by the medical community.

Coping with Fibromyalgia:  By Beth Edigar $6.95 LHR Publications, Box 8 Q, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4T 2L7

Coping with Lupus: By Robert Phillip

Dominoes: A Memoir by Kathleen Kerry - What happens when a child grows into middle adulthood unaware that she is abnormal? Here the author chronicles the first half of her life, lived under false assumptions. A medical mystery, "compelling and well written" according to K.D. Robins. Softbound - 208 pages. This book is available for $14 + $2.00 shipping through the publisher: KMK Associates P.O. Box 60246 Palo Alto CA 94306 or Amazon.com

Exercise videos from Myalgia.com including Aerobic Exercise for FM patients, Stretch for Health, and Fibromyalgia Waterwork.

"Fibromyalgia Syndrome-An Informational Guide for FMS Patients, Their Families, Friends and Employers": Informational brochure written by Robert Bennett, M.D., regarding symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, support groups, research and information resources. To order send a self addressed, stamped envelope to: National Fibromyalgia Research Association, Inc. P.O. Box 500 Salem, OR 97308. The first copy is free.

"Facing and Fighting Fatigue" A Practical Approach" By Benjamin Natelson, MD. This book is a little more technical and not geared to the layman. He does touch on the relationship between FM and chronic fatigue. Some info on the use of medicines and the use of supplements.

"From Whiplash to Fibromyalgia: A Painful Beginning That Doesn't End" By Mark Pellegrino M.D. ORC Publishing, 2002. Dr. Pellegrino offers an up-close and careful look at the mechanics of whiplash injuries from the moment of initial impact through the evaluation and treatment of sustained injuries. This discussion is a great boon for the lay reader who would otherwise find wading through the complex scientific and medical articles on the subject very tough going. The latter chapters of the book concentrate on post-traumatic fibromyalgia which Dr. Pellegrino assures us, "is a specific medical condition that exists regardless of individual physicians' beliefs or opinions". We learn how "the road to PTF travels through acute pain and then chronic pain" and about the significant changes which occur in the autonomic nervous system, the spinal cord, and the brain with this condition. If you or a family member has suffered an accident or injury, or if whiplash injuries are a concern, then this small book is loaded with information which will help you better understand the experience you have been through and make meaningful decisions about treatment. Softbound - 130 pages - $20 non-members - $18 members. Available at Fmpartnership.com

"Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Survival Manual" by Devin Starlanyl, MD. and Mary Ellen Copeland, M/A., M.S.  This book was written by people who have FM/MPS, and it is in very easy to understand terms. There are a lot of details given on trigger points, tender points,  medications, nutrition, sleep, medications, alternative therapies, disability and more. ISBN 1-57224-046-6 New Harbinger Publications, 5674 Shattuck Ave. Oakland CA. 94609 1-800-748-6273 *This book is available at most libraries and bookstores. There is a limited edition hardback of the Survival Manual available directly from the publisher at 800-748-6273, for the same price as the soft copy.

"Fibromyalgia and the Chemistry of the MindBodySpirit Connection " Whether you suffer from the painful symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (pain, diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, indigestion) or those of Fibromyalgia (widespread muscular pain, difficulty sleeping, fatigue), Dr. Salt can show you how to feel better and be well. His unique method for healing involves a combination of the best science has to offer and a mind, body, spirit approach. There has been a lot of talk lately about the mind-body connection, but now there is new, scientific data that shows the effect of body/pain on the mind and mind/thoughts on the body. Read this book to learn what you need to know to make the connection work for you. Fibromyalgia and the MindBodySpirit Connection, (co-authored with Dr. Edwin H. Season, a musculoskeletal specialist). For More Information, please visit: PARKVIEWPUB

"Fibromyalgia Advocate": Also by Devin Starlanyl, MD.  Dr. Starlanyl's 2nd book is now available. It contains a lot of new research, advocacy issues pertaining to your doctors, disability and your medications and lots lots more. Highly Recommended.

"Fibromyalgia: A comprehensive approach. What you can do about chronic pain and fatigue": Miryam Ehrlich Williamson. Walker & Co., New York Practical advice and useful information The author also has FM. Includes information on Children, sleep disturbance, sexual activity with FM and work. 1996 ISBN 0-8027-7484-9       1-800-289-2553

" Fibromyalgia Relief Book"  By Miryam Ehrlich Williamson.  Some of the things covered in the new book are, How to take the pain out of household activities, strategies for work, Sleep, Mind and body, good nutrition, standing up for yourself and much, much more.

"Fibromyalgia: managing the Pain" by Mark Pellegrino, MD How to deal with your doctor, flares, legal issues and lifestyle changes. Anadem Publishing, Columbus Ohio Anadem.com

"From Fatigued to Fantastic" A Manual for Moving Beyond Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia" By Jacob Teitelbaum, MD. Discussed is the Autoimmune system and hormone imbalance, Medical and alternative treatments, and supplements such as malic acid and others. It includes a diagnostic questionnaire and recommended tests and medications.  Deva Publishing, Annapolis, Maryland

"Fibromyalgia and Muscle Pain:What Causes it, How it Feels and What to Do About it": By Leon Chaitow, ND, DO. Alive Publications, Burnaby NC Options for self treatment, and explanations of various diseases in the autoimmune categories.

"Fibromyalgia: Fighting Back": By Bev Spencer. $6.95 LHR Publications, Box 8 Station Q, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4T 2L7.

"Fibromyalgia: A Handbook for Self Care and Treatment": By Janet A. Hulme MA. PT. Phoenix Publishing co. Deals with symptoms, diagnosis and causes(possible), medications and alternative medicines, how to work and live and get your family to help you.

"Fibromyalgia Cookbook; A daily guide to becoming healthy again": By Karl Moeller and Mary L. Moeller. Around $15.00. This does not contain "recipes" as you would think, it is information in recipes for health, sleep, pain, exercise and tons more. It includes a 120 step guide to chart what your condition is when you start to where you go with the new changes. It has a place for journaling as well.

"Fibromyalgia: Simple Relief Through Movement": By Stacie Bigelow M.A. $12.00 Paperback - Exercise and physical activity are recognized as the most effective methods to relieve the symptoms, but few people, including medical practitioners, know how to exercise without actually exacerbating the symptoms. Written by a motivational health counselor, this book presents clear and specific advice on how to safely and effectively use movement to ease the pain of FMS. The first book devoted to relieving FMS pain through movement.

"Fibromyalgia Syndrome- Fighting the Devil With the Patience of Job - A Victim's Point of View & Survivor's Guide by Marilyn Sue - The Book you are about to read portrays a determined woman who sought to learn as much as she could about Fibromyalgia syndrome. In her quest, she also came to terms with the fact that knowledge of the syndrome itself was simply not enough to attempt to gain control over her personal situation. So, with a thirst that could not be quenched, she proceeded to seek other information that specifically pertained to learning to live with any type of painful, incurable and chronic illness.

Her book is written in a clear and concise manner that can be easily referred to time and time again, and represents her own personal views and opinions strictly from a patient’s standpoint. She wishes to share her personal experiences and extensive research with others that might benefit from them. Her book is a “must read” for anyone that is afflicted with this disorder and for those in close connection with someone that has it. By Kenneth Williams, D.C

This book is available for $18.69 - paper back at XLIBRIS.com

"Getting the Most Out of Your Medicines": Available from The Fibromyalgia Network P.O. Box 31750 Tuscon AZ USA 85751-1750  $7.00

"How to Heal Depression": BY. Harold H. Bloomfield M.D. and Peter McWilliams You can read excerpts from the book at their website before you decide to buy.  http://www.hypericum.com/dep/deptoc.htm

"Hypothyroidism" By Dr. Broda Barnes For research into whether you have plain fatigue or if it is thyroid. Written by a dr. yet is done with an alternative medicine slant. Has 32 years of research and practical application behind it.

"Inside Fibromyalgia": By Mark Pellegrino, M.D. From the newest medications to alternative therapies and everything in between, Dr Pellegrino helps you develop a plan for healing today and tomorrow. You get the most effective healing resource from Dr. Pellegrino - forward thinking medical expertise combined with empathy and understanding; just like a personal "consultation" with him. Available at Anadem Publishing, Inc. 1-800-633-0055  $24.50 Plus S&H Anadem.com

"Laugh at Your Muscles II": By Mark Pellegrino, M.D. Dr. Mark says FM causes a lot of pain, but sometimes, we just need to take a break from our pain and try to laugh, Laughing is therapeutic ! Available at Anadem Publishing, Inc. 1-800-633-0055  $5.95 Plus S&H

"Laugh at Your Muscles: A Light Look at Fibromyalgia" By Mark Pellegrino, MD. Use Humor to live with FM. Anadem Publishing, Columbus Ohio Anadem.com

Letter from Scott:  Articulates how it feels to have FM. Good for family and friends to read.

Letter to normals: Living with someone who has FMS/MPS A guide for relatives and close friends.

"Living Well with a Hidden Disability" by Stacy Taylor with Robert Epstein There are sections on emotional issues, physical issues, health care provider issues, love and sex, parenting, the workplace, and dealing with the public. The workbook sections are also very helpful

"Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know" by Mary Shomon. She draws on extensive research and her own battle against Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia to give you the tools you need to create a personalized plan for living well with these illnesses. For More Information on CFS and fibromyalgia, including an online "Risks & Symptoms Checklist," a free chapter of the book, and table of contents, please visit: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

"Making Sense of Fibromyalgia": By Daniel J. Wallace & Janice Brock Wallace Jan. 1999 Oxford Univ Press; ISBN: 0195116119  $25.00 retail.  $17.50 Amazon.com a comprehensive guide--for both patients and professionals--to understanding this little-known and poorly understood syndrome.

"MASTERING PAIN":  A Twelve Step Program for Coping with Chronic Pain - Richard Sternbach

"Mastering the Zone" By Barry Sears. The zone diet is favored by some with fm/mps. it consists of 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat. The book has some menus and 150 pages of recipes to mix and match.

"Muscle Pain: Understanding Its Nature, Diagnosis, And Treatment" - by Siegfried Mense, Prof Dr med & David G Simons, M.D., with I. Jon Russell, M.D., PH.D, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, - 400 pages. This is a historical and technical book on muscle pain. Each chapter presents a historical overview which assesses the theories and disagreements concerning muscle pain. New hypotheses are considered along with detailed information on pharmacologic therapies. Hardback $54.95 Available at Lippincott.com

"Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction": The Trigger Point Manual, Vol 1 & 2 By Janet G. Travell, MD and David Simons, MD Williams and wilkins, Baltimore the definitive resource for finding and treating trigger points, Myofascial Pain and the perpetuating factors. This is a pricey book, upwards of 200.00, you may find it at the library first to try out.

"Natural Pain Relief": By Jan Sadler. Self help book for dealing with chronic pain. The author gives specifics about pain relief based on her own pain management program. Published by Element    ISBN 1-85230-924-5  Around $10.00

Pamphlet: Written with input from Dr. Devin Starlanyl MD. and others. It is for information and can be used for handouts at support meetings etc. To view it as a down load or order, go to http://www.cssa-inc.org

"Parting the Fog - The Personal Side of Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". If you have FMS/CFS, you will not only relate to this book on a personal level, others who read it just may gain a clearer understanding of what you are going through. PARTING THE FOG is a candid account dealing with the reality of being an FMS/CFS sufferer. As the author herself has been stricken with this illness, respect is shown for the seriousness of FMS/CFS. Yet, humor is mingled with hardship and the pages are sprinkled with hope. 116 pages. Available at Partingthefog.com

"Pills Aren't Enough": By Cody Wasner, M.D. A special book of fictional stories that help you identify your own emotions, written by a Doctor who himself has had to come to terms with a chronic condition. Available at Anadem Publishing, Inc.  1-800-633-0055  $18.50 plus S&H.

"Prescription for Nutritional Healing" By James F Balch, MD and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.  Talks about remedies and therapy, fasting and supplements.

"Seized" By Eve LaPlante About frontal lobe syndrome, some people are researching this in conjunction with the fibro fog.

"Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired, Living with Invisible Chronic Illness": By Paul J. Donoghue, Ph.D. and Mary Siegel, Ph.D.  1-800-233-4830 $22.95

"Smart But Feeling Dumb": By Dr. Harold Levinson. It deals with inner ear dysfunction as the cause of dyslexia, which is not just a reading disorder, it is about cerebellar-vestibular dysfunction and affects all of your senses. there is a lot of overlap with fM symptoms. Many Drugs used to treat this actually overlap with drugs given for FM.

"SOFT and EASY EXERCISES for EVERYONE": Recommended for Fibromyalgia - Mary Bennet

"Sourcebook on Fibromyalgia": This book has been created for patients who have decided to make education and research an integral part of the treatment process. Although it also gives information useful to doctors, caregivers and other health professionals, it tells patients where and how to look for information covering virtually all topics related to Fibromyalgia, from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. Selected readings from various agencies are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information available to date on Fibromyalgia. Given patients' increasing sophistication in using the Internet, abundant references to reliable Internet-based resources are provided throughout this sourcebook. Where possible, guidance is provided on how to obtain free-of-charge, primary research results as well as more detailed information via the Internet. In addition to extensive references accessible via the Internet, chapters include glossaries of technical or uncommon terms. Available at ICON HEALTH

"Taking Charge" by Irene Pollin, M.S.W., & Susan K Golant learn to cope with long term illness, family and doctor patient relationships. She speaks of what you and your  family members may be thinking and feeling.One part deals with your fears, loss of control, self-image, dependency, stigma, abandonment, isolation, death. This in not written by an FM/MPS patient, but it deals with the issues we all deal with in a nice manner.

"Taking Charge of Fibromyalgia": A Self-Help Management Program: By Julie Kelly , MS RN and Rosalie Devonshire BA. A comprehensive book, covering all aspects of living with FM. Contains charts to monitor your progress, covers the psychological aspects of this disease and stress management. Also contains tons of info on Nutrition, seratonin, therapy, traditional medicine, posture and exercise. 170 page handbook for patient and health care provider. Available at Fibromyalgia Educational Systems, Inc. Phone 612-473-6218 or Write Fibromyalgia Educational Systems, Inc. 500 Bushaway Rd. Wayzata. MN 55391

"The Arthritis Helpbook" : A Tested Self-Management Program for Coping With Arthritis and Fibromyalgia   Kate Lorig, James F. Fries  Published 1995

"The Arthritis Breakthrough": By Henry Scammell and Thomas McPherson. This book presents a theory that all rheumatic/inflammatory conditions, no matter the name, are caused by mycoplasmal infections and can be the cause of a lot of chronic pain and fatigue conditions.

"The Chronic Illness Workbook" - by Patricia A. Fennell , M.S.W., C.S.W.- R, New Harbringer Publications, Inc., 2001, Soft cover, 239 pages. Based on her own research, Patricia Fennell has created a comprehensive long-term coping model that readers can use to navigate the physical, psychological, and social effects of their illness. The author identifies four phases of chronic illness and describes skills to manage each phase. The book offers help for sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Graves' disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Type 1 diabetes, among other disorders. Consumer text/workbook enables the reader to overcome the challenges of chronic illness and learn how to live a life with self-compassion and fulfillment. Provides the reader with an in-depth, practical, and self-explorative way to learn how to live a full life. Softcover - 239 pages - $11.87. Available at Amazon.com

"The Fibromyalgia Survivor" By Mark Pellegrino, MD. The Dr. describes how he manages to cope day to day with FM. He addresses the role of Chiropractic care, and it contains a section that an be useful to your Physical therapists and Occupational Therapists. He has coined "Fibronomics" to help you with the daily activities of living.  Anadem Publishing, Columbus Ohio Anadem.com

"The Fibromyalgia Supporter": By Mark Pellegrino, M.D. A book for the loved ones of FM sufferers. Dr. Pellegrino explains how it feels to have FM, and how to develop a supportive relationship with friends and family. How to express yourself with the right words to explain issues you may need help with. Available at Anadem Publishing Inc.  1-800-633-0050    $15.50 plus S&H Anadem.com

"The Fibromyalgia Handbook" By Harris H. Mclwain, MD and Debra Fulghum Bruce. Owls books, New York  Offers a 7-step program to help beat FM symptoms. Includes exercises to reduce pain, increase energy and strength. He also touches on Acupuncture, nutrition and chiropractic care. Basis of the book is to change our views of this as something disabling to something you "manage"

"The Fibromyalgia Help Book": A Practical Guide to Living Better with Fibromyalgia" By Jenny Fransen, RN and I. Jon Russel, MD. Smith House Press , St. Paul , Minnesota  Research into possible causes, explanations of why people with FM perceive pain differently, sleep management, fatigue, exercise, children with FM, how to recognize and handle flares and much more.

"The Fibromyalgia Recipe Book" by Shelley Ann Velekei - After much research and cooking, it has over 120 easy recipes on foods that are the right things to eat for fibro suffers. It has tips on foods that cause pain and foods that you should eat. $19.95

"The Highly Sensitive Person" By Elaine N. Aron, PhD.  If noise, confusion, smells, colors make you nuts and send you running for cover, this book has some interesting insights.

"The Metabolic Treatment Of Fibromyalgia" - by DR. John C. Lowe - is a textbook-sized book written for practitioners who are in need of a comprehensive text that provides an in-depth look at the diagnosis and "metabolic" treatment of Fibromyalgia. As anyone who has treated Fibromyalgia patients knows, this is a challenging task. Dr. Lowe's clinical experience and research provide the basis for this book, in which he breaks new ground in the treatment of Fibromyalgia. His is a different paradigm than the rheumatological treatment of the past 25-30 years in that he promotes the theory that inadequate thyroid hormone production, and/or inadequate thyroid hormone regulation in the tissues, is the root cause of Fibromyalgia. Hardback - $99.95 + SH - Available at McDowell Publishing

"The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook": Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief" by Clair Davies, recommended by Devin Starlanyl and others. N.C.M.T. Paperback - 267 pages (April 1, 2001). It actually talks about trigger points and puts it all in laymens terms so we can all understand and follow along. It shows you where you feel the pain and where the trigger point that causes the pain is. Easy to read text and diagrams.

"TMJ: It's Many Faces" By Wesley E. Shankland DDS Anadem Publishing, Columbus , Ohio.    Exercises for pain relief, Information on the condition itself, headaches, diet, nutrition options, and much more.

"TOTAL RELAXATION":   Healing Practices for Body, Mind and Spirit (includes a cd) - John Harvey

"Understanding Post-Traumatic Fibromyalgia" By Mark Pellegrino, MD. The emphasis in this book is on fm after a trauma, such as auto accidents, or work accidents. He discusses medical testimony pertaining to insurance and legal matters. He also walks you through history taking, your treatments etc. Anadem Publishing, Columbus, Ohio Anadem.com

"We Laughed, We Cried, Life with Fibromyalgia". An anthology of article, poems drawings and photographs. All profits are donated to FMS research. To order: KMK Associates P.O.Box 60246, Palo Alto, CA    94306  $12.00 plus S&H.

"When Muscle Pain Won't Go Away" By Gail Backstrom and Bernard Rubin MD. Taylor Publishing, Dallas Texas  Starts with a good run down of all the basic symptoms. Touches on non-traditional approaches for treatment and how to make lifestyle adjustments, including personal relationships and sexual activity. It walks you through the grieving process of living with a chronic syndrome.

"You Are Not Your Illness": By Linda Topf. This is not a book about FM/MPS, but was written from the perspective of someone who lives with chronic pain and illness, and I found it to be a very good source of information and advice. Published by simon and Schuster ISBN 0-684-80124-8   $12.00

"Your Personal Guide to Living Well With Fibromyalgia" By the Arthritis Foundation. Usually used with the AF's self help course. Teaches you the knowledge you need to be active in your treatment options. Covers some research and possible causes for FM and some of the better treatment options available.

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