Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual (2nd Edition)

I am very glad I purchased this book. I am newly diagnosed and this book greatly helped me in understanding the scientific and medical aspects of what is happening to my body with FMS and CMP. I highly recommend this book to others who want to know more about how fibro effects the body at the most basic cellular levels. I'll be honest; I cried alot while reading this book...but they were tears of relief. It was not all in my head! For more than a decade I have suffered with many of the symptoms; the worst being the fatigue, heightened pain sensitivities, migraines, sinusitis, allergies and unexplainable weight gain which no diet would decrease. I went to dozens of dr's and spend untold amounts of money on diagnostic tools (mri's, xrays, cat scans ect)...all of which were wasted because none of these physicians believed in FMS or could put together the huge list of symptoms. Many told me to see a psychologist or therapist; which I did but was then told I never needed. Many just flat out could not help me. Finally a rheumatologist diagnosed me with FMS & CFS. This book brings to light the WHY's of the symptoms FMS, CFS and CMP sufferers endure. It also teaches you how to help yourself and your doctors to optimize your results. It provides invaluable knowledge on the underlying factors that contribute and add to FMS. It breaks down barriers of misconceptions and misunderstandings. It also provides the reader with peace of mind and resources in determining the best work enviroments or what steps to take if disability is an unfortunate option. Thankfully it also addresses the mental, physical and emotional stresses chronic pain causes for both the sufferer and their family. This book imo, is invaluable for the FMS, CFS and CMP sufferer. The only thing I wish it had more of is the dietary steps needed and foods required to cleanse, detox and purify your body...for long term lessening of symptoms and pain. More dr's should read this book.

When I first found out that I had Fibromyalgia, I was lost. Aside from being in severe pain and suffering from a cloying fatigue, I didn't really know very much about the condition. I ended up joining an online support group and nearly everyone in the group recommended a particular book to me. Once I finally broke down and bought the book, my life changed for the better. I still had the condition, but I was armed with excellent information. They don't call this book the "Fibro bible" for nothing. This book is written by a doctor who actually has Fibromyalgia (although for some reason, she's removed the M.D. from her name for this edition...). This book covers everything that you need to know, whether you be a patient or the treating physician. It has a wonderful section that helps you to identify many of the strange and random-seeming symptoms of the syndrome. There are detailed body charts showing likely trigger points throughout the body. Other sections inform you of such aspects as gender, sleep and fatigue, age-related issues, chronic pain and various courses of action toward relief. Once you come to terms with having the disease, there are informative sections on gaining control over parts of your life again. There's a Wellness Recovery Action Plan, sections on mindwork, nutrition, medications, fibrofog, work, ability and disability...it goes on and on. If you only choose one book on Fibromyalgia, this should be the one. This is the second edition and picks up where the first edition left off. Both are excellent and considered necessity if you, or a loved one, have this debilitating condition.

This book is critical to anyone who has been dx with FM. I was at 18 and am now 40. There are two conditions that have been lumped together. Some people have neurological symptoms, the all-over pain. Many do not know the other aspect that is lumped in and most doctors still don’t recognize, understand or treat it properly. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction. This was researched and published decades ago by Dr. Janet Travell, the personal doctor of JFK. Knowing what CMPD is opens a whole other world for treatment and relief. This book allows the patient to learn and recognize trigger points, referred Pain and how to release the culprit taught or balled muscle on their own. It also helps to communicate with your doctor. The difference between FM and CMPD is significant but they often come together. Although this manual may still be hard to understand to a new patient, as the body and concept are complex, finding a doctor that recognizes the difference and is willing to learn or communicate via a guide like this will help many people tremendously, who are not finding relief via current FM treatment protocol. I am not a doctor or even in the medical field. Just a patient, along with family, that has been dealing with this for decades.

If you only have CMP (chronic myofascial pain), and if that CMP is of relatively recent onset and you have the slightest clue as to what set it off, you probably don't need all the information in Starlanyl's book and would do better, presuming limited $$, with a good trigger point manual and a couple of tennis balls. Starlanyl is full of useful information that can help people who have found their conditions overwhelming, as is evidenced by all the ravingly 5-star positive reviews. OTOH, if you have a pretty good grasp of pain management, and maybe dietary adjustments, and possibly even various forms of bodywork, you may find yourself turning pages pretty fast. Then again, it's not that expensive (about the same as a generic pain prescription). I won't be returning it, but I'll be in Clair Davies' book (Trigger Point Therapy Workbook) a whole lot more and I coulda bought half a Theracane with the cost of Starlanyl.

This book is full of helpful information, not only for those who suffer from this syndrome but for their families, friends, and doctors. This is so often misunderstood and the explanations are easy to understand, make sense, and are better info than most doctors have. I recommend it for anyone who is going through this difficult bit of life.

I recommend this to anyone with Fibro! It was very informative and helpful in understanding this mystery illness. I love that it has a chapter on how to talk to your doctor, which is huge when dealing with doctors who don't know enough about it or how to treat it.

This book is amazing! A must if you suffer from any chronic muscle pain.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Survival Manual This book is a really really interesting read. It has cleared up many of the questions that I've have had for many years, I have now found out why so many thing are wrong with me and whilst they cannot be 'cured' knowing really helps. Highly recommended. This is a book to keep handy as it's one I dip into all the time. If you have F MS and Myofascial Pain then this is one for you!

I have bought and read many books on fibromyalgia, usually recycling them before reaching the end. Not this one. I can't say it was cheap to buy but it has proved very good value and you only need buy this book as it is the ultimate source of information. Not a quick read but invaluable in understanding the condition and adjusting your lifestyle accordingly.