Revised and expanded, this edition offers the latest findings on chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and overlapping diseases such as Gulf War Syndrome. It includes new information on the interaction of the brain, emotions, and immune system as well.

Symptom checklist included in appendix A.

Newly Diagnosed? Long Time Sufferer? You are NOT alone! You CAN change your life and REVERSE this highly frustrating, emotionally confusing, very often unrecognized invisible illness. Too many fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome patients find themselves suffering in pain, depressed, and alone. Abandoned and misunderstood by their families, the medical community, and society in general, they retreat to their medicine cabinets full of prescription drugs and supplementsmere bandagesthat wont reverse their condition. Chantals story removes the bandages and offers these patients real hope and help. Part memoir/part self-help, Chantal chronicles the steps she took to reclaim her life while following the Guaifenesin Treatment Protocol. Join Chantal in her journey. A must-read, Chantals book will bring you HOPE, INSIGHTFUL tips and POSITIVE results. Th is AMAZING book has changed my Fibromyalgia life. Kris Bruinsma, FMS survivor I am so proud to read this book written by my friend, Chantal. Her articles have graced many publications including my own and I am thrilled that she has taken the time to make her story public. I know firsthand the power of shared experiences on recovery and know her book will make a difference to so many. Claudia Marek, co-author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Fibromyalgia Th is is a story of hope and determination written by an individual who has been a patient in my integrative medical practice for the past eight years. She is an outspoken advocate and our resident expert in the protocol of R. Paul St. Amand, MD. She has graced us with her knowledge and exuberant energy at our clinics monthly fibromyalgia support group meetings. She is the consummate teacher and is always available to help our other fibromyalgia patients working through the subtleties of the Guaifenesin Protocol. A must-read for anyone lost in the abyss of fibromyalgia with seemingly no apparent way out." Thaddeus P. Srutwa, MD, Spring Lake, MI

"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.

Lifestyle Balance Program for Less Pain and More Energy If you're struggling with fibromyalgia or CFS, this book can help you. It offers an evidence-based improvement program that can help you achieve a healthy balance between activity, rest, and leisure-a balance that can significantly reduce pain and fatigue and increase your energy. In this book, author Fred Friedberg, a clinical psychologist and a leading researcher in chronic fatigue, first explains how lifestyle impacts the severity and persistence of fibromyalgia and CFS. He then goes on to show how the seven step lifestyle balance program can help you to function and feel better. In step one, you'll learn how to use active relaxation techniques to lessen ongoing stress. Better sleep, anger management, and activity pacing make up steps two, three, and four. Step five focuses on overcoming worry and guilt, and you'll learn how low-effort pleasurable activities can ease pain and fatigue in step six. Finally, in step seven, the importance of finding and maintaining personal support is covered. This effective lifestyle-focused program has brought relief to many others like you who have struggled with these misunderstood illnesses-illnesses that modern medicine cannot cure. You can start on the path to a better quality of life today!

Much of the current literature describes fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and other related syndromes in terms of anecdotes and sales pitches without benefit of medical fact. Dr. Duclos is a practicing internal medicine physician who treats patients with these conditions every day and has found striking similarities among these conditions. He uses the latest scientific research to support his theory that the problem common to these disorders lies in the central nervous system. He describes the underlying disease process in clear terms for non-medical professionals and offers hope for treatment. "For years," Dr. Duclos says, "patients have been told that their symptoms are all psychological. Now we know better."

Embark on a Journey to Reclaim Your Vitality Imagine a life where your chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia are no longer invisible shackles hindering every move; a life where wellness is within reach and vigor is restored. "Undefeated: Navigating Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia to Wellness" opens the door to this reality, guiding you through the labyrinth of symptoms, treatments, and personal triumphs associated with these complex conditions. In this transformative volume, delve into the essence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FM), uncovering not only the scientific facts and history behind these conditions but also the deeply human stories of struggle and success. Uncover the interconnected challenges of CFS and FM, discerning why these often-misunderstood illnesses require a tailored approach to healing. Fortify your body with knowledge as you explore innovative chapters on nutrition and diet, specifically designed with the essential supplements and anti-inflammatory foods vital for your journey to wellness. Pain and fatigue management take center stage, offering you an array of strategies, from pharmaceutical to natural remedies and pacing techniques, empowering you to reclaim your life's rhythm. Pore over the personal accounts of resilience that form the heart of Chapter 3. These narratives shift perspectives from despair to hope, proving that recovery, while challenging, is attainable. Also, discover the remarkable role of sleep, exercising, and mindfulness, as well as complementary therapies such as acupuncture and herbal supplements that can significantly ease your daily struggles. Navigate your personal relationships with newfound confidence and read expert advice on building effective support systems and community connections. Learn to advocate for yourself in medical settings with the aid of Chapter 11, ensuring that your voice is heard, and your needs are met. This comprehensive guide not only serves as a beacon of information but also as a companion for those yearning to live fully once more. Take the first step on the path to reclaiming your life; let "Undefeated" inspire and equip you to embrace that bright, hopeful horizon.

While news stories tout the successes of molecular science, gene mapping, and high-tech interventions to treat disease, there’s another, untold story within today’s medical landscape. It is the story of the growing number of chronic, controversial illnesses--chronic fatigue syndrome, Gulf War syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity--poorly served by today’s biomedical, pathogen-oriented approach to disease. With a lyric, incisive voice, Dorothy Wall blends the personal story of her struggles with CFS with a graphic sketch of the CFS terrain: the woeful federal response, patient advocacy politics, medical debates, environmental questions. Eighteen chapters explore a spectrum of issues. "Listening” conveys the impact on a patient when medical practitioners are deaf to her story, and posits listening as a moral act. "That Name” leaps into the minefield of controversy between and among patient advocacy groups, researchers, and the medical establishment over the power to define, name, and legitimize disease. "The Erotics of Illness” pulls readers to the intimate core of illness, with its upheavals, pain, and tenuous pleasure. "Staying Home” explores the meanings of enclosure for women and the struggle to find purpose and meaning in a reduced, homebound life. Personal drama merges with literary reflection, reportage, and medical history. An important investigation of what many are calling "postmodern” illness, Encounters with the Invisible offers a thought-provoking look at a controversial illness and the challenge to biomedicine it presents.