Product Description
It is March 1987. There is a flu bug doing the rounds in Edinburgh, which floors Lynn Michell and her two sons. Instead of pulling out of their ill and exhausted state, none of them gets better. It takes three years for Lynn's elder son to recover. She and her younger son are still ill 16 years later. This account of life with M.E., an unpredictable and devastating chronic fatigue illness that is still widely misunderstood and undiagnosed, is an emotionally intelligent, compassionate and often angry tour de force. Offering a personal insight into life as an M.E. sufferer, "Shattered" should be of help to sufferers in their fight for recognition and a comfort in their hour of need. While the first person snapshots of sufferers of all ages, describing the many different forms this illness can take and the effects it can have, can paint a bleak picture of a "life interrupted" and the lack of support and stigma from the public and the medical professions, readers should be able to draw hope and support from the shared stories. In addition to the stories of living with M.E.,"Shattered" includes: advice on how to deal with social workers, teachers and other professionals; advice on how to deal with relationships; an exploration of life with M.E. from a young person's perspective; an exploration on the effect of M.E. on family life; advice on how to cope if you're a parent of an M.E. sufferer; and recommended complementary therapies and therapists' views on treating M.E. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Great book, very inspiring.
An awesome book, read it at a time when i was very poorly (ME for 5yrs aged 24), this book gave me hope and inspired me when i needed it the most. I would recommend this book to anyone suffering from ME as a powerful and wonderful insight into how recovery is possible.

Thanks,

Simon. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1971 Deric Longden's wife Diana fell ill with themysterious disorder known as ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis). She wasunable to move without a wheelchair, and was in almost constantpain. Equally distressing, perhaps, was the fact that every doctor shesaw was unable to diagnose what was wrong with her. Deric, devotingmore and more time to looking after Diana, watched his businessgradually fail, and had to neglect his developing career as abroadcaster. He became house husband, nurse and caretaker of the womanhe loved.

Diana's Story is told by a writer who can transform thebleakest moment with his warmth and wit. It is an extraordinarilyfunny account of a marriage based on love and on an exceptional senseof humour. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

One of the best books i ever read!
Deric Longden's "Diana's Story" must undoutably be one of the best books i ever read. His ability to find humour in day to day life whilst coping with his wifes debilitating illness makes this book an absolute joy to read. I also love this book for it mentions how Deric's mother linked Diana's illness to polio that she had as a little girl. Years ago the link between M.E. and polio was unheard of; it is only in recent years there has been thought to be a link. My advice is just read it!!

No, this is NOT about Princess Diana.
In a later book Longden records that a woman assaulted him at a book-signing for this book, believing that he was James Hewitt, and the book was about the Princess of Wales. It is not. This anecdote highlightsLongden's eye and ear for the small nuances of trivia and life that sooften are forgotten, but which are so true and funny that we ought toremember them more often. When people deride Longden for making comicnovels about his family's sufferings, I cannot but feel sorry for them.Diana's Story is a very warm book, full of the human touch and a greatsense of humour, full of love and soul. It could so easily be an angry andembittered novel which would please the critics and anyone with literarypretensions, a searing attack upon the medical services who failed torecognise his wife's ME, but although it is full of anger and sorrow, it isalso full of humour and love. Diana's refusal to be ground down by herdemeaning and agonising illness is an inspiration to us all. Her warmth andhumour shine through, despite her suffering and agony, as does that of herhusband, who wrote the story. We laugh and cry simultaneously, the wit andthe pathos so exquisitely blended that our feelings are exercised well andtruly. It is a beautiful book, both laugh-out-loud funny, and fantasticallysad, and should be an inspiration to anybody who reads it. Books aboutsickness and death don't have to be morbid and dark. They can be funnywithout compromising their power to move us.

An emotional roller-coaster - excellent reading.
My copy was sent to me by my mother from England, and its already traveled to Mexico and back too.A joy to read.Sometimes I laughed so hard I nearly fell off my chair, other times I cried - something I have never donewith a book before.I got homesick when references were made to some of myfavorite Britsh snacks.I wish every ill person could be blessed withDiana's sense of humor, and the wonderful husband she had.I wishLongden's books were more easily available in Florida. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Is it enough to spend five years on?
This book is well written, comprehensive and actually offers a 'cure' for fatigue related syndromes such as cfs and fibromyalgia. The science is made reasonably understandable and is supported by professional opinion but I would have like to see more evidence based information, even if anecdotal e.g. 'X followed this programme and got better' as really only one person's example is given. Given that the treatment recommended could take as long as five years to complete and includes expensive dental work it would be nice to have a bit more to go on. Oh, and there's a supporting website that is worth a read: [...]

Alison Adams responds to Sick of CFS
First, the detoxification outlined in the book may indeed take as long as five years if you are very toxic and in late middle age but this is to FULLY RECOVER, improvements in your fatigue syndrome will become evident much sooner than this - within months.

Second, the information in the book is based upon the experiences of hundreds of practitioners who have successfully treated tens of thousands of people with all sorts of health problems - including fatigue syndromes. For documentation please refer to 'The Results of Removal of Amalgam Fillings: 60,000 Documented Cases' on the Research page of The Natural Recovery Plan website at [...] ... Read more

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Reviving the Broken Marionette: Treatments for CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia features over 250 medications that can be used to treat these debilitating illnesses, making it the most conclusive book about the subject. This is not a fad book that promises miracle cures, it's all based on science and the experience of prominent CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia experts. It will help both you and your doctor to understand your illness and how it is treated.

The book also contains information about treating many related conditions, such as IBS, TMJ/TMD, multiple chemical sensitivity, Raynaud's phenomenon, PTSD, tinnitus, orthostatic hypotension and other types of dysautonomia, restless legs, myofascial pain, neuropathic pain, migraines, chronic headaches and chronic pain in general. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

If you are involved with these conditions, you should have this book.
It's mostly an exhaustive review of the treatments for CFIDS/ME and Fibro. It's going with me to my CFIDS doctor next time, along with all the PostIts stuck on the treatments I want to ask him about.

A great overview of the potential treatments for CFS/ME and fibromyalgia
I developed CFS and fibromyalgia while living in the midwestern US, and the doctors I spoke with were less than helpful. They had few treatment options (which did not work for me), and threw up their hands saying there was nothing they could do, sending me on my way.

Not only was this a great overview of the many potential treatments out there, but it's empowering to see how much thought and research the author has put into the book. This is a great resource to recommend to doctors (if I could afford it, I'd send a copy of this to every doctor who was less than helpful), and a great springboard for more detailed research yourself about specific treatments you think will work for you.

There's a serious lack of literature about CFS treatments, and a serious focus on antidepressant-only treatments for fibromyalgia (at least where I've lived), and this book fills a void. ... Read more

Product Description
A practical guide to understanding Chronic Fatigue SyndromeM. E., commonly called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is an illness about which very little is understood. Doctors have difficulty identifying it, and then can often offer no solution other than bed rest.Dr Anne Macintyre has suffered from M.E. for over 10 years. But she has used her medical expertise to understand the causes of M.E., to communicate the reality of the disease to her sceptical colleagues and, most importantly, has learned how to recover from it. This revised edition of her much acclaimed book gives clear and comprehensive guidelines on: / exercise, rest and relaxation / nutrition and supplements / coping with a change in lifestyle / managing depression / particular problems for women with M.E. / psychiatric approches to the illness ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good overview for the beginner, but not enough detail
This book is worth buying if you are after a broad look at dealing with CFS, but it does not really explore the causes of CFS widely enough or in enough detail. It focusses too narrowly on dysbiosis as a cause of CFS, and doesn't explore in any detail toxicity and detoxification, mitochondrial problems, nutritional deficiencies and endocrine problems. This book isn't going to help you cure your CFS, but it has a few interesting chapters. Try Jacob Teitelbaum's book From Fatigued To Fantastic, although this doesn't really mention toxicity at all either. A good overview of toxicity can be found at health-spy dot com. ... Read more

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An examination of the illness known variously as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), epidemic neuromyasthesia and post-viral fatigue syndrome. Aspects covered include history and epidemiology, the host response and clinical assessment and diagnosis. ... Read more

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ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) is a controversial condition once known as "yuppie flu" and often confused with chronic fatigue sydrome. Focusing on the emotions sufferers experience, this book offers guidance on coping with the stages of the disease: denial, anger, depression and acceptance. ... Read more

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It is estimated that there are over 100, 000 people suffering from M. E. in Britain today. Although not a new disease, M. E. (also known as 'yuppie flu') is at last being recognised and taken seriously, M. E. is short for MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYSELITIS, a term which relates to the parts of the body affected: MYALGIC, the muscles; ENCEPHALO, the brain; and MYSELITIS, the nerves. Until recently, many people suffering from M. E. had great difficulty in finding a diagnosis and a way of dealing effectively with the disease. Now fully updated, this comprehensive guide provides much-needed information about M. E. It describes the symptoms, what triggers it and who can get it and also discusses additional problems such as disordered sleep, depression, pain in the joints and difficulties with the eyes, ears and balance. A well-researched, up-to-date guide, LIVING WITH M. E. is THE book to buy for any sufferer who wants information not speculation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Don't bother! Very little real info and lots of bad stuff!
Thare are so many other, better, books out there about ME. This book seems really to be describing post viral fatigue rather than M.E.

I bought this book and read it all the way through once. It was hardgoing to get through, didn't add anything I hadn't heard before and I have never looked at it again since.

Terrible!

Verillo & Gellman's CFS: A Treatment Guide, for example, is 100 times better in every way not to mention Hyde's brilliant M.E. textbook. Both are essential and so much better than this one! ... Read more

Product Description
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) is a controversial andpoorly understood illness. Sufferers often have to deal withskepticism from their families and employers. Even doctors and otherhealth care professionals may sometimes appear not to believe orunderstand. The vast amount of often conflicting advice published todate has lead to even more confusion.

"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME): The Facts" offerssufferers, their families, and friends a compassionate but practicalguide to this illness based on the best available scientificevidence. It is unique in being jointly written by a sufferer and aphysician, both of whom have had extensive experience of talking toand helping patients. The book guides the reader through all aspectsof the illness including symptoms and diagnosis, the nature of andcauses of CFS/ME, available treatments, and relevant research. Asubstantial section on self-help is included.Guidance is alsooffered on how to choose therapies and therapists, the role ofcognitive behavior therapy for CFS/ME, and how best to manage theillness in children.

This book will be invaluable for sufferers from CFS/ME, their familiesand friends, as well as for all health professionals who come intocontact with people suffering from this illness. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

CFS (the BS)
This propaganda piece does have some more accurate facts than some of the more atrociously unscientific publications on ME, so I was considering giving it 2 stars, but then I thought this was akin to "letting the terrorists win." And let's be clear, terrorists like Michael Sharpe, Simon Wesseley, Bill Reeves, etc., have caused much more suffering than the 9/11 terrorists.They need to be immediately put out on the street, have the embarassingly inaccurate UK, Oxford and Reeves definitions burned and all governments and researchers adopt the Canadian ME definition and have research funding increased 100 - 1,000 fold and have it put toward actual science, not the current garbage supported by the US and UK governments.
For the real story on ME, read the amazing Osler's Web: Inside the Labyrinth of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Epidemic

Completely useless
This is a worthless little book that contains very few facts, in spite of being part of "The Facts" series. While it is imperative that with a disease as complex and poorly understood as CFS, authors muster as much data as possible, the authors of this book appear to have done very little scientific research.The sections on testing, causes, prevalence, and prognosis fail to cite a single study, ignoring the plethora of articles that have appeared in medical journals over the past three decades documenting immune system abnormalities, nervous system defects, cellular dysfunction, viral reactivation and hypoxia. Instead the authors rely on vague generalizations couched in language geared to an eight-year-old. The area of greatest concern to people with CFS--treatments--was positively skeletal, devoting as little as a single sentence to some of the more widely used medications. In sharp contrast, chapter after chapter was devoted to "psychosocial treatments" not one of which has ever been shown effective for treating CFS.

The underlying problem with this book is that the principal author is a psychologist who clearly has little, if any, experience treating CFS outside of recommending that patients avoid "negative thinking." The bulk of this book is comprised of chapters on depression, anxiety, panic attacks, managing relationships, mood, etc. For a person who is too exhausted to lift a hairbrush "managing your thinking" is about as helpful as an exorcism. If you are a person with CFS, there is a good chance that after reading the section about your "happiness diary" you may be tempted to do a little exorcism of your own.

Best CFS/ME book!
This is THE BEST CFS/ME book by far!!! If you have this, or know someone who does, get this book!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Dismissed for years as "yuppie flu", ME is now accepted as a very real, very distressing disease. Its symptoms include sore throats, tiredness, dizziness, headaches, muscle pain, fever and depression. It strikes men and women of all ages, and of all social backgrounds. This work explores ME from all angles. Integrating physiological, emotional, behavioural and social aspects of living with the illness, it offers strategies for coping. It gives detailed advice on topics such as talking to the doctor, dealing with the feelings of rage, helplessness and guilt created by ME, the practicalities of keeping your job, your friends and your partner, the place for complimentary therapies in managing ME and the role of support groups. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Running On Empty
If you think you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also referred to as CFIDS-Chronic Fatigue Immume Disfunction Syndrone, or have been diagnosed with CFIDS, THEN THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU.When I got this book, I said "Hooray, I'm not just lazy and crazy".I cannot begin to say how much better I felt after reading this book.It didn't help my symptoms, but it let me know why I had these symptoms.Chronic Fatigue is such an undiagnosable disease that most physicians think that you are just crazy, a hypochondriac, or they misdiagnose you and put you through hundreds of dollars worth of tests.Even when I was diagnosed with it, my other doctors refused to believe it. It was not until my husband saw an Olympic contestant talk about her battle with CFIDS and how she hoped she had a "good" day on the day of her performance that he then understood what I was going through, and he became my main supporter.

Running On Empty Revised Edition 1995 by Katrina Berne PH.D
This is by far the best book I have read on CFIDS.Would recommend it to everyone.As the other reviewer states, it was written in 1995 but science hasn't brought us a cause or cure since that time, so it is still a very valuable book on ALL aspects of this illness.The author is writing from experience...as she has CFIDS.Book is very informative, she's very relatable, and she shows a deep understanding of the challenge in living with this life changing illness. A truly outstanding book! Read this one.

Great for PWC and their family members!!
This book is not only informative for the patient, but helps family members truly understand this illness. I was touched deeply by this book because I felt the author truly understood me and my illness. It gives great insight for the family members and helps them to understand all the ramifcations of this devastating illness.

Great Book
This book may be getting a bit dated, but it's still among the best resources available on CFIDS. Many CFIDS self help guides read like advertisements for their authors, but not so with "Running onEmpty". I'm hoping that Dr. Berne will offer an updated editionsometime soon. If/when she does, I'll be back to order my copy (to replacethe old, dog-eared one I passed along to someone who needed it more than Idid).

A full approach to living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
I feel this book was full of information; in which helps everyone! It's not always easy to make the right choices, when you're not well. This book's advise (along with my favorite doctor; Daniel L. Peterson, M.D.)gives PWC hope, compassion, and most of all, understanding! ... Read more