Although fibromyalgia is a real neurological condition, it is not uncommon for FM sufferers to be treated as if "it's all in your head." Support, understanding, and even basic information can be hard to come by for coping with the intense pain and fatigue of this debilitating chronic illness, as well as the grief, anger, and isolation that often accompany its onset. Women Living with Fibromyalgia offers insight and practical advice to help sufferers alleviate the symptoms of FM and manage its impact on their lives, relationships, and careers. Woman from all walks of life share their experiences and the lessons they've learned about fibromyalgia, from a single student pondering the impact of FM on her future to the mother trying to find the energy to care for her children. Topics include: Strategies for dealing with pain, fatigue, and "brain fog;" advances in pharmaceutical treatment; results from latest scientific research; exciting new "alternative" treatments; financial issues such as insurance and Social Security benefits; and how an awareness of their rights can help women with FM in dealing with healthcare providers. This book helps its sufferers create new, rewarding lives even as they grieve the loss of the old one.

"Dr. Keddy captures the patient's experience of living and coping with suffering in the poignant interviews with twenty women who have fibromyalgia, herself included." -Dr. Jock Murray, medical humanities and neurology professor, Dalhousie University Medical School Fibromyalgia, a musculoskeletal condition characterized by widespread chronic pain and fatigue, specific tender points, and sleep disturbance, is a major medical and social concern for physicians, employers, workers' compensation boards, and the insurance industry. But what about those who suffer from the condition? Drawing on her own experiences as well as the stories of twenty other women living with the challenges of fibromyalgia, Barbara A. Keddy, RN, PhD, discusses current theories of causes and types of treatments. She also speculates about why this condition is more prominent among women than men. By sharing these stories, Keddy highlights the invisibility of the daily difficulties fibromyalgia sufferers face. With its uniquely personal perspective, Women and Fibromyalgia validates Keddy's experience and offers hope for her and others that they will someday take back control of their bodies.

The first unbiased assessment of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a condition that’s often misunderstood by the general public and doctors alike. This book aims to dispel myths about fibromyalgia and offers practical strategies that can help anyone living with this condition manage it successfully and return to a fulfilling and enjoyable life. Drawing on decades of experience in treating fibromyalgia, Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia offers research-supported, practical strategies that can help anyone with fibromyalgia live their best life now. From personal stories of people living with fibromyalgia to the compassionate expertise of its medical editors, this book seeks to first connect with people who have fibromyalgia in a way that they may not have experienced from loved ones and even doctors. From there, readers will learn about what fibromyalgia is – and isn’t – and find solace in knowing that they’re not alone in the challenges that they face. The half of the book sets the foundation for the second half, which outlines practical strategies shown to be effective in managing fibromyalgia. Along the way, worksheets will help guide readers toward finding the best mix of strategies for managing their symptoms. The entire book comes together in the last part, where readers will put everything they’ve learned into an actionable daily plan that they can start using right away. This book is divided into 4 parts: Part 1 defines fibromyalgia, describes what causes it, and lists the challenges it can pose Part 2 outlines treatment options Part 3 describes strategies for managing fibromyalgia Part 4 outlines steps toward working with your health care team and family and creating a daily action plan for managing symptoms From Publishers Weekly: Coming from one of the most reliable, respected health resources that Americans have, this book is the first one a newly diagnosed patient should consult. (Sept.)

This book focuses on both the management of the pain as well as the pain patient and is formatted as a practical, evidence-based guide to managing chronic pain conditions. It meets the market need for a reference that aides physicians in understanding and improving chronic pain in their patients. Organized across 46 chapters, the book begins with an introduction on chronic pain evaluation, and specifically stresses the importance of complete patient evaluation including social and psychological evaluation. Subsequent chapters then start with an evaluation, medical and interventional options available, how and when to move from one option to another and the level of evidence offered for each intervention. These unique chapter elements provide the reader with a case-based approach to managing their patients. Additionally, a brief discussion of epidemiology and pathophysiology of the disease process is included and the technical aspects of interventional techniques are reviewed. Edited by a leader in the field with international contributing authors across pain medicine, Practical Chronic Pain Management this book is written primarily for anesthesiologists, pain specialists, rheumatologists, and primary care physicians.

Insight and practical advice to help alleviate the symptoms of FM and manage its impact on their lives, relationships and careers. Women from all walks of life share their experiences and the lessons they've learned.

Step-by-step instructions for using effective non-drug treatments, including exercises, yoga, and relaxation techniques.