Interesting book for Fibro and CFS
 

I picked up this book last week while on vacation. Its very interesting. And helped me with understanding a couple of things I didn't know are part of
Fibro for one thing.

I really am glad to finally have a answer for my shortness of breath.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Other Invisible Illnesses
The Comprehensive Guie

Katrina Berne PH.D.
and Daniel L peterson M.D.

Donna

Invisible illness!
 

Can you tell us what is the date of publication of this book and it's publisher? Thanks!

Publishers is hunter houses. And the date I'm not sure of
But there is a date of 2002 in there somewhere.

Donna

Can I just insert a word of caution here about this now outdated book?
My daughter has severe ME and was so bothered by the lack of medical knowledge and the mis-truths published about the illness, that she made a study of it all, which you can see at her website.
http://www.hfme.org/goodbooksbut.htm#421133432

While there are some good bits in this book, there is more that is not, and it is now outdated.
This is her review:

"CFS, Fibromyalgia and other invisible chronic illnesses, by Katrina Berne, Ph.D.

Like her first book, this book does not distinguish adequately, or at all, between fatiguing illnesses and M.E. or 'CFS.' Ridiculous and unscientific claims are also made about Fibromyalgia being basically the same as 'CFS.' This book also very clearly means well, but is not a good source of reliable medical information.

The poor quality information in this book was a real lost opportunity to do some good.

This type of misinformation and lack of political awareness is a big part of why we have made so very little progress over the last 20 years. I don't understand why some patients still recommend this book to fellow M.E. patients. It's hugely problematic.

Anyone who can't see the huge difference betwen FM and M.E. and between teh definitions of 'CFS' and M.E. - clearly does not understand even the most basic facts about M.E."

Sorry, you disagree. I'm not sure what M.E. is. But this book and my comments have nothing to do with anything but Fibromyalgia. And maybe a little with what I know Chrontic Fatigue to be. I'm not diagnosed with Chronic
fatigue but I know quite a bit about it. I find the book right on about it.

So I still stand by the findings it says. I found it very helpful for my problems.

Donna

Hi Donna, the book's title mentions CFS and Fibromyalgia, so it discusses both.
I appreciate that you're are concerned only with the Fibro, and if you've found it useful then that is a good thing.
On the other hand, my comments were aimed at the CFS side, and that is where the cautionary note comes in.
While well meaning, the info is way out of date and would best be avoided. My daughter said that while there were some good things in it, overall it is not a recommended book for CFS.
Incidentally, CFS is a defunct name that was used when doctors had no idea what was really wrong so invented a syndrome to dump the unknown illnesses into. ME is the preferred name now.
ME refers to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a medically acknowledged illness, with diagnostic tests available.
There is no diagnosis testing for CFS as it is not an illness as such, and use of this name should be discontinued.
A proper doctor should be able to find what is wrong and not use the CFS dumping ground.

Peter
Thank you for giving me the update on the new title for chronic fatigue.
Shows how some area's of the states, sorry I didn't look to see if you are
in the states or over seas, hasn't caught up.

Its still called and considered chronic fatigue in Indiana. And I personally,
will be returning to find this new name when I hear people who need it.

Because its not something that they can do more than say they have right now. But if M.E. can be diagnosed and treated, then some of my friends
and parents of special needs kids need this name. And I'll sure be glad
to pass on the name for them to give it a try. With their professionals.

Hopefully one day Fibro will get so lucky.

Donna

Hi Donna, so good to see your positive attitude and receptive thinking.
The fatigue in 'CFS' was put in to avoid medical and insurance claims, and to give the illness a psychological twist, all of this putting it back on the patient as being self-inflicted. Very nasty.
That is why so many in the medical profession still treat it off-handedly and don't take it seriously.
People die from ME, and in Canada there are more deaths from it than from lung disease or AIDS, I just read.
Yet it gets no funding for research because of that medical confusion and mis-information.
If you'd like to find out more, have a look at my daughter's website, where she tries to unravel the name confusion; lists symptoms and treatments.
http://www.hfme.org/
There is no treatment as such, but lots you can do and try.
If you come across 'CFS' again, you will now be able to straighten them out, and if a sufferer, guide them towards a proper diagnosis.
Sorry to keep on, but it is a VERY important thing to get clarified. You may save someones life.

I'm in Australia, by the way.