Fibromyalgia: Mysterious condition, debilitating symptoms

These are the opening sentences of “The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to Good Living with Fibromyalgia,” and the author captures the frustration many sufferers describe in their quest for an explanation of their debilitating symptoms.

For those who have not been diagnosed with fibromyalgia but whose symptoms are troublesome, this book might act as a resource to help you talk with your doctor. For those who have received a diagnosis, this book will be a complement to whatever therapy your doctor recommends, and it can even serve as a guide to treating the symptoms that make life so difficult at times.

“The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to Good Living with Fibromyalgia” is an amazingly thorough book that throughout its 14 chapters lays out very clearly what is known about fibromyalgia, what is known about living with the condition, and most importantly how to live well with it.

The book is divided into three parts, each an important component of living with a chronic disease: “Part One: Learn All You Can”; “Part Two: Join Your Health Care Team”; “Part Three: Develop a Good Living Style.” The second part of the book talks about finding a doctor who is knowledgeable about fibromyalgia and even supplies the reader with an 800 number to call for a referral to a specialist in their area. This chapter is important because it also explains how important it is for the patient to prepare for an effective doctor’s visit and then sets out clear guidelines that will help the reader make the most of every appointment they have with their practitioner.

Each section has worksheets to be filled out and these alone are extremely valuable since the history and symptoms are vitally important for the doctor to have in accurate detail, and they will help the patient map out a treatment plan that will be effective.

“The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to Good Living with Fibromyalgia” is a book that has come out of a great deal of research, not only on the disease itself, but on what the most effective treatments and lifestyle changes are that bring about relief in the greatest number of patients. It is in-depth, and specific — the kind of book that will become a great personal resource for those who need it.

The Stanford Health Improvement Program is offering a six week program entitled “Learning to Live With Fibromyalgia” that is designed to help each participant understand more about this disorder and introduce suggestions for help in coping. It is being offered from March 4 through April 8 at the Health Library, and those who are interested, can call the HIP office for information at (650) 723-9649.

Another program that would be useful to fibromyalgia patients is being offered by the Stanford Patient Education Research Center: the “Living Well with Chronic Health Conditions” workshop. This is another six week program, offered in several different community locations and designed to help the participants learn about pain management, problem solving, healthy eating, relaxation techniques and exercise. You can find out about a workshop in your neighborhood by calling (650) 498-4981. To suggest a topic for To Your Health, e-mail The Health Library at nora.cain@medcenter.stanford.edu. The Health Library resources are not intended as a substitute for medical care. The main branch is located at 2-B Stanford Shopping Center. For more information, call 725-8400 or point your Internet browser to http://healthlibrary.stanford.edu. The Health Library is a community service of Stanford Hospital and Clinics.