Posted 3/18/2015 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have been making my way through the "for Dummies" book and am about 15% in.
Initial Criticisms:
It becomes annoying from a reading perspective that he has so much cross referencing in the book. it is well indexed, so the constant comments explaining how the book is laid out and having every subject he discusses annotated at the end with "for more about this see the chapter on ....".
From a personal standpoint, I am disappointed that while he covers many of the connected conditions (Lupus, IBS, Interstitial Cystitis, etc), he does not mention CRPS. Many people have CRPS and many doctors don't believe in it (like Fibro). It would have been nice to see a discussion on the relation between them. Of course, it may show up later, but since he has already told us multiple times what is being covered in later chapters, I don't believe so.
Initial Positives
The information presented is easy to read and some of it is very interesting. He has interspersed his discussions of issues with examples of people he has worked with. He has some sections you can skip if you desire because he has labeled them as more "technical", but I found them clear enough to understand and appreciated the information.
I am intrigued by some of the items he mentions as being in the blood for most or all Fibro patients and am wondering why we aren't tested for them. Even if it isn't perfect, it can help narrow the focus for a doctor and might provide the information needed for those doctors who don't believe to see something tangible. Two of the items mentioned, BDNF & Substance P, are explained as being able to be tested for and are strong indicators for Fibro. No one knows why they are, but more widespread testing would also provide more statistical data for research.
Cartoons - I typically enjoy the cartoons in the for Dummies books. There has only been one so far, but it was amusing. I would like to see more of these. I think the FMS humor is something anyone reading the book could appreciate. We were able to come up with a significant number of humorous bits and I think they would make great cartoons (in my next life, I will have some artistic skill ..... it's my turn, lol).
Other than that, I hold to my original idea. I would like to see pamphlets for all of the invisible diseases and one central pamphlet that explains what invisible diseases are and why the fact that they are invisible is significant.
Maybe we need a parade ......