Reviews (2)

Finally, a dialogue aboutthe elephant in the living room
Thank God Mr. Gingold had the courage and generosity to break the silence and call a spade a spade. Reading my story, almost
I do not feel so alone.
I thought my problems with MS were mostly physical and even those were invisible to most people. When I read this book by Jeffrey Gingold I felt sad and relieved at the same time. When I worked at the bank I had a similar experience to his.My customer just stood there as I look perplexed. I forgot how do do something that I had does hundreds of times. I just stood there and asked the person next to me if they could take over because I felt sick.I then disguised my memory problems with different strategies like he did. I have since retired fron the bank at the age of 39. I struggled to keep working with my diagnosis from the age of 31 but at 39 I had to change my priorities. I am going to try and get my family to read this so they can understand the struggle of this unpredictable disease. I highly recommend this book to someone with MS and medical personel that are working with people that have MS . Thank You Mr. Gingold!!!
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    4. General    5. Medical    6. Mental health    7. Multiple sclerosis    8. Neurology - General    9. Patients    10. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)    11. Popular medicine   

Subjects:  1. Medical    2. Medical / Nursing    3. Neurology - General    4. Rheumatology    5. Medical / Neurology    6. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology   

Subjects:  1. Cognition disorders    2. Complications    3. Consumer Health    4. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Multiple sclerosis    8. Neurology - General    9. Popular works    10. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)    11. Popular medicine   

Subjects:  1. Health/Fitness    2. Consumer Health    3. Treatment    4. Multiple sclerosis    5. Diseases - Genetic    6. Health & Fitness / Exercise    7. Health & Fitness / General    8. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    9. Exercise    10. General    11. Popular works    12. Health & Fitness   

Reviews (19)

Lean on Me
This book is most useful for the newly diagnosed.It had some good advice for those who have been living with MS for a long time (for instance the medical card people with MS should carry), but I found a lot of what Ms. Davis advocating not realistic for those of us severely affected by the disease; i.e. in a wheelchair, unable to drive, very dependent on others for most activities.I could go along with her until I got to the part of the book where she doesn't take any of the approved MS medications...I then surmised that she and I do not suffer from the same brand of MS.Positive thinking is important in dealing with any form of this nasty disease, but sometimes it is just not enough.

A Great, Informative Bood
A very informative, much needed book with the baby boomers getting older.We need this information.This is unknown information to the majority of people because we are taking care of our parents and our children. It has information on conventional as well as homeopathic and naturalistic method.I bought three books: one for a cancer patient, one for my sister who is a patient liaison, and one for myself.

Pathways to empowerment for MS and healthier living!
"Lean on Me" had me in tears because when the neurologist instructed Nancy Davis to retire to her bed -- forever -- she disregard his "higher knowledge" and found her own.Nancy really inspired me because of her powerful will to take action and make "roads" where they were few. I was moved to tears by her unwillingness to take to bed and the TV remote but rather get rid of the "congestion" in your life which included divorcing her husband.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Consumer Health    3. Diseases - Immune System    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Motivational & Inspirational    7. Multiple sclerosis    8. Psychological aspects    9. Self-care, Health    10. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Immune System   

Reviews (11)

Good overall book; ideal for newly diagnosed.
I burned through this book in a weekend, so curious to know what was in store for me as a newly diagnosed person. I found it to be comforting (which I needed at the time), but light in some of the issues I have subsequently faced (such as unsympathetic employers, inability to pay for injection medicines). I'd like to see a book on the challenges of everyday life for newly diagnosed...I think I could have benefitted from someone else's experinces.

excellent
being too frugal to purchase the 2004 version, i wanted to see if first i would like it, so i bought the very inexpensive 2002 edition.these comments are focused only on the 2002 edition.blackstone writes in a very easy to understand manner.she talks about things that are most important to the person with m.s.she identifies relevant topics.at times, i wished that she would have gone into more detail on some topics.on the other hand, it is so easy to read and suggestions are very helpful.on the other hand (is that 3 now?) the outline by days and months is not terribly logical and makes it less convenient to reference information.most people with m.s. will devour this book the first weekend.it compares favorably with similar books.it was well worth the purchase price and i would recommend this book.again, i have not looked at the 2004 edition and i can't comment on it.

Must Have Book
This is the best book that I found to update you on the current research and info to help you with your MS.I wouldn't bother reading any other book ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Multiple Sclerosis    6. Popular works   

Reviews (1)

One Heck of an Entertaining Read
Very informative.This man is clearly a genius.Excellent work Dr. Cook.No wonder he's being roasted all over the country. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Multiple Sclerosis    5. Neurology - General    6. Medical / Neurology    7. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology   

Reviews (30)

This book is scientifically based and valid.
Anyone who takes the time to really read and comprehend this book will come away understanding that the restriction of fat in the diet stopped the progression of MS for nearly ALL of the people who strictly followed the diet, and that this is backed by following those hundreds of dieters for 35+ years.There is only one option on the diet, which is lower saturated fat to under 15 grams and unsaturated fat to under 50 grams a day.Any deviations will not succeed and therefore this is not a diet in which you can pick and choose what to follow.I guess if you have that information and follow it, you might not need the book.But, the book is full of substantiating scientific information which supports the restriction of fats, and gives much hope, and it's also full of recipes, so I wouldn't be without it.
The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book
My wife was diagnosed with MS in January, 2006 at the age of 47. This has had a big impact on her in coming to terms with this diagnosis. However, she is determined not to let the illness get her down. She has researched and spoken to people and was put onto the MS Diet book.
MS diet book technical info
I have heard of Dr. Swank's MS diet and wanted to try it, as I cannot afford the Avonex anymore.Even though I found the book very educational and chock full of techinical information, like everything else, there is no cure for MS.I feel losing weight and any low carb diet would work just as well.I did appreciate the kinds of oils to use and controversial subject of mulk and milk products.It as a good read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Cookery    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diet therapy    5. Diets - Special Conditions    6. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    7. General    8. Health/Fitness    9. Low-fat diet    10. Multiple sclerosis    11. Recipes    12. Coping with illness    13. Fitness & diet    14. Health & Fitness / Diets    15. Health & wholefood cookery   

Reviews (10)

Excellent - I love this book!
After purchasing several books regarding MS I finally found this one and thank goodness I did! I was tired of the long-winded explanations and sad stories regarding the disease. I've gotten enough of that from my doctors. What I wanted, this book offered - blunt honesty and easy navigation to the questions I had. I loved it so much that I bought each of my family members a copy and now consider it one of my favorite books - maybe not my favorite topic, but my favorite book. I highly recommend it to other MS'ers!
The BEST MS book for the newly diagnosed
When I was diagnosed with MS almost 3 years ago, I had a hard time finding a book about MS that didn't say that I would end up in a wheel chair so I need to start shopping now, until I found this one.This book is HIGHLY informative, and it has given me a TON of valuable information.I highly recommend this book for anyone newly diagnosed, or knows someone with MS.

Good starter book
I really enjoyed this book.I am newly diagnosed and had alot of unanswered questions that I didn't know who to ask about.I did the main research in the internet, but that just gave me the bascis.This book gave me all the answers to all the questions I had and the questions I didn't even think about.
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Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    3. General    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Multiple Sclerosis    7. Popular works    8. Coping with illness    9. Health & Fitness / Diseases / General   

Features

• Bargain Price

Reviews (48)

Magnificent. Reading just doesn't get better than this!!!
Modern, eloquent, and life-affirming; Jacquelyn Mitchard masters storytelling in such a candid, witty, and sensitive way that you'll get goose bumps in the middle of her sentences.
Good writing but a little slow at times
I loved the way Mitchard started several chapters with excerpts from Julieanne's advice column and I loved the title "Excess Baggage" which I felt was a major theme in the novel. The baggage of the breakup of the family, of Leo's decisions, of MS, of wayward children, of a lover who was a widower at an early age... The marriage of Matt and Julieanne was filled with a cast of characters who were all carrying a load of "Samsonite" of their own.I liked that about the novel, the clear descriptions of the characters and their hurts and losses that they had to bear and the attempt to help one another bear such a load. I think that is reality in each of our lives and Mitchard makes it clear in a vivid and moving way.There were passages of real beauty:
better than most
How many other novels do we know where the middle-aged wife is dumped by her husband for a younger woman and she struggles to raise her kids, then meets another man?I thought this was going to be yet another (yawn) of the same formula.However, this author has a very unique writing style with lots of irony and pointed observations that are very entertaining to read.While the characters are somewhat overblown, they each have their own distinct personalities and you find yourself drawn into their world.The wife also develops MS, which throws a somewhat different angle to the story. I have never read any of Mitchard's books before, but I went out and got a couple more after I read this.She managed to breath new life into a rather tired forumla. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Domestic fiction    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Mother and child    6. Multiple sclerosis    7. Patients    8. Fiction / General    9. Bargain   

Reviews (2)

excellent resource!
like the other reviewer, i've read just about everything on this topic, except a couple of the most expensive medical texts without reviews.this book is very well written.chapter authors read like a who's who in the field and offer, in my mind, a certain degree of instant credibility.topics are fairly thoroughly discussed.not only did i read it the first week i bought it, but i've consulted it at least once or twice a month since then for management suggestions, which probably could be provided in a more practical format for patients or busy physicians.i think that anyone with m.s. who has an interest in the biology behind it would benefit from reading it, although there are times when it put me to sleep with levels of detail that i hadn't had the training to understand (although with a second read i was usually able to figure out those "difficult parts").you can't beat the used price and, frankly, i think it's worth the new price.while another reviewer had expressed disappointment that treatment was divided into relapsing and progressive forms, that really only occurs in 2 of the 36 chapters. two thumbs up! my biggest concern, at this point, is that most of the information is six to seven years old.neuroimaging techniques have advanced, medications have been introduced, removed, and re-introduced into the market, and general management procedures have changed since then.i'd buy an update (hint!).

Great book for those newly-diagnosed with MS
Well, since my MS diagnosis three months ago, I've gone through every book on the subject in my provincial library system.I've not left a page unturned in pamphlets, booklets, newsletters, etc.I'm just so eager for information on the subject, I can't get enough of it. And the best for information advice?No argument, hands down, it's this book.Okay, so it's probably supposedly a medical textbook but it's so darn great for people with MS to read, too.As a matter of fact, I could understand it more readily than some books written for laypeople.It was no-nonsense in its approach to the matter, and certainly not biased one way or the other re treatments, medications, progressions, what-have-you. It's sub-title should've been "Everything you wanted to know about MS - and much much much more".A laywriter writing a book, usually a person with MS, concentrates on his or her own symptoms but this book covers a multitude of them and explains in detail.It's not just mentioned that a person may have (for example) "sensory symptoms".It explains what "sensory symptoms" are to the nth degree.Not many GP's know much about the history, treatments, symptoms, signs of MS.I wish my doctor had this book on his shelf.My first sit-down read of it lasted three hours and I only got quarter-way through - and this without missing out one page.The rest of it I can dip into over time. I felt reassured reading this book, comfortable even.Forewarned is forearmed they say, and this book is forearming me well!!- I'm not (so) scared now. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diseases    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Multiple sclerosis    5. Neurology - General    6. Diseases & disorders    7. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology   

Subjects:  1. Laboratory Medicine    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Neurology - General    5. Medical / Laboratory Medicine    6. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    7. Specific disorders & therapies   

Reviews (4)

Highly recommended.
The Comfort Of Home: An Illustrated Step-By-Step Guide For Multiple Sclerosis Caregivers by co-authors Maria M. Meyer and Paula Derr RN (co-owner of InforMed) is a comprehensive and practical guide written for anyone, especially family members, responsible for the care of someone with MS. No experience or knowledge is presumed of the reader; chapters walk one through everything from basic advice for making one's home safe and comfortable to ensuring a balanced diet and sufficient exercise to avoiding caregiver burnout and much more. Simple black-and-white drawings illustrate key points where a visual aid is valuable in this practical book, which covers matters such as saving money and applying health care effectively as surely as the more labor-intensive aspects of caregiving. Highly recommended.

Welcome Edition
As a carepartner and volunteer for the NMSS this book will always be within reach.This book is not only a great resource for our daily living but also a great reference source for all of the people I visit with.Maybe today I don't need some of the tips offered but who knows what tomorrow will bring.Being able to share what I have learned from this source with other carepartners and their loved ones is important.Living with MS can be a constant challenge and demanding for those around the condition but having a good reference book near by I know that our lives will be simplier since I have a good source of both information and other resources where we can find help.Can never have too much help in making life easier for all of us!

Valued Spot in my Library of Books on Multiple Sclerosis
The collaboration between Maria Meyer and Paula Derr with Kimberly Koch and Diane Afes from the National MS Society in presenting "The Comfort of Home Multiple Sclerosis Edition" is a huge success.The information in this book is presented in a clear, precise manner that is easy to follow.I realize the book is geared towards multiple sclerosis caregivers but it has so much information that is useable for me, a person living with MS, that it will find a valued spot in my library of books on multiple sclerosis.The tips, notes, checklists, resource information, and the publication guides are all great tools.Anyone living with MS, whether patient, family member or caregiver, will find information that they can immediately use in this edition.
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Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)   

Editorial Review

In this moving and engrossing memoir, veteran television news producer Richard Cohen relates a life spent dealing with multiple sclerosis, first diagnosed when he was 25 years old and just getting started in the competitive world of broadcast journalism. As his career progressed, he struggled not only with the disease but the touchy question of how much of the truth about himself to share with colleagues and potential employers. Cohen spent much of his life running from the onset of the disease's symptoms from which his father and grandmother also suffered. Defiantly, he took challenging, sometimes extremely dangerous assignments in Lebanon, Poland, and on the domestic political campaign trail, even as his body deteriorated. But over the course of Read more

Reviews (41)

Thought provoking on disabilities and families.
Compelling read.The reality of a young man blindsided with M.S., later, at mid life, hit twice with colon cancer, was at times hard to read.I found myself literally turning away from the book, turning it over, and having to will myself to return to it.Unfortunately Mr. Cohen and his family don't have that option.I found myself inspired by Cohen's courage and angered by his unwillingness to surrender to the reality of his disease and let his anger go.However, who knows how any of us would feel given the circumstances?Maybe this is as good as it gets when a chronic illness is a part of one's life.Certainly Mr. Cohen is a brave funny man, with a wife and family to match, with an important story to tell.Highly recommend to anyone who has a chronic illness, has someone close who is suffering, or anyone who is having a pity party and wants to move on!

A scary read for MS sufferers
Those of us with MS tend to stick together.Unfortunately, I would not recommend this book to sufferers of this illness.Despite his claims of optimism, the anger and bitterness of Richard Cohen are strong themes in this book.I found myself questioning whether or not I have, or ever will have, a similarly angry, defensive, and demanding effect on myself and my loved ones.
The best description of the dailybattle with the ups and downs of MS.
An excellent read for someone with MS and, maybe, for many friends, relatives and medical persons who interact with folks with MS. This is one of the best descriptions I have ever read of how MS builds fortitude at a cost higher than many would ever pay. The book is bluntly honest without being brutal.It will give humans who read a new perspective on life.The book should be read by employers too. The outside of MS doesn't tell the whole story.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cancer    6. Cohen, Richard M    7. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    8. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    9. Health    10. Medical - General    11. Multiple sclerosis    12. Patients    13. Personal Memoirs    14. Biography & Autobiography / Literary   

Reviews (1)

Excellent resource
When I was diagnosed my doctor threw 4 prescriptions at me for various steriods and other drugs and sent me on my way - wouldn't answer my questions (too busy)So off I went, got the perscriptions filled, had a nurse insert an IV and got busy.Luckily I had ordered this book in anticipation of the diagosis and it arrived as I started treatment.The first chapter is on Treatment for acute eexacerbations and it explained everything!The following chapters are: Treatments that effect long term course of the disease (the interferon drugs used in the US as well as drugs being used in other parts of the world and those under development), Symptomatic treatment of MS (fatigue, bladder issues, cognition, all the basic symptoms), Alternative therapies (some strange things mentioned here but the authors diplomatically describe what they are, id the risks and provide evaluations/conclusions).I really like this book.It helped me when my doctor could not....now I've got a better doctor, one who specializes in MS, but I still use this book to augment my understanding. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diseases    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Multiple Sclerosis    5. Neurology - General    6. Treatment    7. therapy    8. Medical / Diseases    9. Popular medicine   

Reviews (11)

Not very inspired
After reading about half of this book, I had to stop.I am not very inspired.In fact, it had the opposite effect on me.A lot of the stories I read were too much about the hardships and not enough about the positive outcomes that people had.Kind of scared me a bit..is this what I have to look forward to as the years progress?I was more inspired by Montel's book (once I got past the ego part of it).

Unrecommended
I do not recommend this book.I purchased it under the assumption that it would include individual accounts of people dealing with MS.It does, but not in the manner that I presumed it would.The book does offer individual accounts of the struggle with MS, but the stories seem to be incomplete and unorganized.As someone living with MS, I wanted to know about the individual's diagnosis history, symptoms, treatment, etc.Many of the stories never mentioned specifics or they left out important events.The idea of what the individual's have been through does make the stories inspiring, but the lack of content and organization left me feeling frustrated and sad.

Ordinary People living courageous lives
What I liked so much about this book was that ordinary people were depicted in every chapter.And what is ordinary?Is there such a thing?When MS strikes, it isn't choosey.This book strives to take a sampling of the diverse groups that MS strikes and paints a picture.There is the enlisted military man, the single and struggling mother, the artist, the air traffic controller, the poet, the scientist, all of different sex, career, economic status and type of MS.I learned so much from each and every person's story and I applaud them for coming forward and sharing what they've learned.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Diseases - Musculoskeletal    4. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    5. General    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Inspirational - General    9. Motivational & Inspirational    10. Multiple sclerosis    11. Patients    12. Specific Groups - Special Needs    13. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)   

Features

• Bargain Price

Reviews (19)

Entertaining story of "Mr. Mom" star
I read this book because a friend was recently diagnosed with MS. I have always loved Teri Garr's work and wanted to hear how she deals with MS on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately, Teri mainly focuses on her career and only mentions her physical condition here and there along the way. The last few chapters are the most meaningful for those reading it to learn more about MS. Fortunately, though, the rest of the content was fascinating, so I thoroughly enjoyed the book, despite it not being what I expected. I have never read a "Hollywood" autobiography before, and I do recommend this one. Teri's writing is down to earth, humorous, and honest. My only complaint is Teri fails to give her role in Dumb and Dumber a mention!

Frickin' Brilliant
The fact that I co-wrote this book has nothing to do with my review.
A book about maneuvering around life's obstacles and...succeeding!!!!
+++++
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    8. Individual Actors And Actresses    9. Motion picture actors and actresses    10. Multiple sclerosis    11. Patients    12. Personal Memoirs    13. United States    14. Women    15. Family & Relationships / Parenting    16. Bargain   

Reviews (2)

a labor of love
I very strongly suspect that another reviewer of this book is correct in her assertion that there has been another breakthrough in the treatment of some - perhaps most - forms of MS.I cannot speak to other ideas the reviewer entertains.
Good start, but please do further investigation
I gave this book only four stars for a couple of reasons.Despite its profound importance and excellent content on dental amalgam as the underlying cause of a great number of today's illnesses which have mercury as the root etiology, the content is unfortunately not up to date on certain technical issues.For example, he asserts that methylcobalamin will methylate inorganic mercury and is therefore dangerous.While it is true that some bacteria can methylate the mercuronic ion, and that this reaction can be made to occur in a laboratory test tube, this is not what happens in real live human beings or animals when given subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously. This was confirmed to me in personal communication with Boyd Haley, PhD, who has done much work in this field.In addition, please refer to the work done by the Swedish physician, Dr Britt Ahlrot-Westerlund, and her success with treating patients with high doses of injectable methylcobalamin status post amalgam removal for further elucidation on this subject.(One should be cautioned however, not to accept any B-12 injections which contain a preservative, as this can cause problems in a detoxing patient.Also, some people experience angry agitated aggression and can get themselves into trouble even though it is helpful for most.)
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Subjects:  1. Alternative treatment    2. Dental amalgams    3. Fillings (Dentistry)    4. Mercury    5. Multiple sclerosis    6. Toxicology   

Reviews (39)

Great Read
Found the content excellent, and relevant.Found myself laughing at some of the descriptions, especially where I had had similar experiences.
I have MS and found the book boring...
A bunch of "chatter" with little substance...although I am happy for the women in this book who found peace and comfort with each other through "chatting" on-line about their sufferings and living with MS...I found it non-inspiring and non-informative...

A Book for Almost No One
As promised, I've been thinking it over for the last four years, and I still think this is a very narrow, out-of-date book that is relevent for very few women. If you're newly dx'd, forget it. It will depress you, and possibly scare you -- not only because so many of these women are struggling with serious disabilities, but because they have very narrow, tiny lives.No matter how MS treats you, life doesn't have to be like this! I'm glad these women found each other, but it's kind of like hanging out with Donna Reed if she had a serious disability. There really is more to life than this -- and there certainly is more to life with MS! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases    3. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Multiple Sclerosis    8. Neurology - General    9. Popular works    10. Women    11. Women's Health - General    12. Coping with illness    13. Women's health