Editorial Review

This first-person account of Alzheimer's ties several powerful storiestogether. Read more

Reviews (19)

A Courageous Work
How to describe "Losing My Mind." The author, Thomas DeBaggio wrote it as a person making the lonely journey into the opaque fog of dementia. What courage!Dementia is a disease that knows no boundaries. It is blind to the categories in which we usually place our fellow human beings. It can occur at the age of 55 or 85. It can happen to Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, Jews, Christians, Muslims, males and females, rich and poor. It has not spared ex-presidents.Dementia did not spare my mother whose tale is told in my own recently published memoir. I recommend "Losing My Mind" to anyone dealing with this terrible disease either by him or herself or in a loved one.
Pronounced negativism
I agree with a couple of the other reviewers in that it is hard to condemn this book since the author has an incurable disease. However, I find his endless harping on his mental condition and just how black everything is to take away from the other excellent material in the book - quotes from various other sources about the disease and its ramifications.
Terrifying Insight
This book recounts the downward decline of the mental state of an Alzheimer's sufferer.At the age of 57, DeBaggio was a successful businessman who ran a plant nursery out of his home.Some annoying problems recalling scientific details of his plants led him to ask his doctor if there might be something wrong with his brain.He consulted with a neurologist who subjected him to a battery of tests, which all pointed to early onset Alzheimer's.In this book, DeBaggio describes his diagnosis, treatment, and losses of mental acuity.One aspect of Alzheimer's is that memories from childhood return with new vividness, so interwoven in this story are the memoirs of DeBaggio's life, from the meeting of his parents to his birth, childhood, and earlier career as a journalist.Juxtaposed with these details are descriptions of his present mental state, his meetings with doctors and struggles with daily tasks, as well as lengthy informative quotations about Alzheimer's research.
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Subjects:  1. 1942-    2. Alzheimer's Disease    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. DeBaggio, Thomas,    8. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    9. Literary    10. Medical - General    11. Patients    12. Specific Groups - Special Needs    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Coping with illness    15. DeBaggio, Thomas    16. Mental health   

Reviews (2)

Finally, a comprehensive discussion of RA we can understand.
This discussion on RA is the most comprehensive available in layman's terms.This disease process is so complicated and the research on treatment so varied, trying to keep up on journal articles or short publications is almost impossible. This book puts more useable information between the two covers than you will find anywhere. Unlike medical journals, the disease process explanations are concise and understandable.Although the explanations are detailed and scientific and may take more than one reading to get your brain around the complex concepts, it nicely falls somewhere in between the very oversimplified information found in "arthritis" books available at bookstores and over-complicated and hard-to-read medical book information. Truly helpful is the detail about how clinical trials are conducted and the complicated sequence of events that occur in treatment research. It makes the waiting for decades for new treatments a little easier to understand. Also helpful are the briefs on current research (now a bit out of date-some of the "in trials" treatments in the book have been approved and are available) that is ongoing along with web sites so individuals can follow trials, results, research progress, etc. and even contains information on joining in some of the clinical trials. The description of the immune processes is very helpful. Not only does it help the reader understand the immune system as a whole, and the effect of this disease on the immune system, it also gives a good picture of how HIV and AIDS compares on the opposite end of the immunity spectrum (overactive vs. underactive immune system). Best of all, this book arms RA sufferers with good information to be able to take a more active role in their own treatment. Buy it for a friend who has RA or buy it for yourself. You will want to reread it several times.

Best Gift for someone with rheumatoid arthritis!
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, or if a friend or loved one has been diagnosed with this disease I highly recommend this book as an invaluable source of information.Not only is it packed with facts on rheumatoid arthritis ranging from details of exactly what is happening in the joints and the immune system to useful Web sites to keep up on the latest details on new medications and treatment approaches, it is also clearly and beautifully written.It really is a handbook to help readers make informed decisions with their physcians.Included as well are fascinating insights into possible future treatments now in the research stage - from the use of stem cells to gene therapy.Read more

Subjects:  1. Diseases - Musculoskeletal    2. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    3. General    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Physical Impairments    8. Popular works    9. Rheumatoid arthritis    10. Popular medicine   

Reviews (8)

Excellent Sourcebook
This is an excellent book if you're looking for something like an Autism encyclopedia.This isn't really one of those books that gets into too much personal detail about experiences with Autism, it's more of a guidebook and a reference manual for parents or ABA therapists.It has a plethora of information from diagnosis to dietary intervention.It covers all the bases and leaves you with plenty of hope for your child.Definitely a worthy buy for parents, teachers, or anyone else interested in learning more about Autism and how to intervene.

A Good Start for Newly Diagnosed
I wish this book had been around five years ago when my son was diagnosed. This is a great start, but ONLY a start. I feel there needs to be much more on sensory integration. My son is also PDD and ABA did nothing for his flapping and spinning. Newly diagnosed parents must remember that Autism isn't curable but treatable. With therapies, diet, and a good special ed teacher their child can live in our world very well. My son is now eight and looks, acts, talks like a typical boy. Certain social still cause stimming and behavior problems but all in all he's doing excellent. Again, this book is a great start.

Don't bother -- Save your money
Save your money ... this book is misleading, nothing new, and for anyone to claim that they have written a book that is "everything you need to know" about helping your child with Autism is, in itself, ludicrous.
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Subjects:  1. Autism    2. Autism in children    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Diagnosis    5. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Medical - General    10. Popular works    11. Treatment    12. Abnormal psychology    13. Coping with illness    14. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)    15. Popular medicine   

Reviews (6)

Inside the mind of autism
My son has autism and uses a high-tech communication device.This book challenged me to look at the world from my son's perspective and helped me better understand this disorder.It also proves that individuals without verbal communication can still have a lot "to say".

Interesting insight into Autism
I've only read one other book about Autism.That was "Speed of Dark", which was fiction from the point of view of an autistic.It provided fascinating insight into the viewpoint of an autistic, but again it was fiction.It is worth noting that the author was the mother of an Autistic.
Extremly touching
I loved Tito every moment I read the book and have immense respect for the dedication, persistence and effort of his mother Soma. She seems to be a very strong woman to handle it all alone. But I have to mention this that I hated the part where Tito writes he was hit hard until he paid attention. I have seen and heard of many successful people who cannot ever forget their childhood abuse by their parents even though they were for good reasons.This is a very wrong concept used earlier and is not encouraged any more by many many people these days. Even though hitting might prove right for some reason it does a permanent damage to one's inner self. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Autism    2. Autistic children    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Children's writings, American    5. Creative Ability    6. Developmental - Child    7. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    8. Juvenile Literature    9. Literary collections    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Personal narratives    12. Psychology    13. Specific Groups - Special Needs    14. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (1)

complete waste of money
This book was a complete waste of 19.95. It was filled with personal information about the authors and creators of "prolotherapy" and was just like a big advertisement for them. I got no true information or helpful suggestions at all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health Care Issues    7. Health/Fitness    8. Pain Management    9. Coping with illness   

Reviews (8)

If you have MS this book is for you!
It is a well writen book detailing how hard it is to get movement
God sends us people like Mary!
Reading Mary's book is like having a cup of coffee in a good friend's kitchen. You can't put it down. I've always been optimistic that we are very close to solving autoimmune diseases- so much so, that one of my specialists feels that I may be in denial, and keeps reminding me there IS NO CURE! But, like Mary, I am cautiously optimistic, and refuse to just lie down and let this disease envelope me. LDN offers hope for those of us who are looking for a tool to help us fight our diseases, and take back our quality of life.
Inspiring, engaging, andtimely story of overcoming auto-immune illness
Mary Bradley tells her engaging story of discovering the drug low dose naltrexone (LDN). LDN can arrest the progression of autoimmune diseases and unlike other pharmaceutical options, is inexpensive, orally administered and almost free of adverse side-effects. Reading of the impact that this drug had on Mary's family, I understand her profound motivation to 'spread the word'. Besides being well written and enjoyable, this book lit a fire in me and I have shared the book with many family and friends.
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Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    3. General    4. Healing    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Family & Relationships / General    8. Popular medicine   

Reviews (1)

300 Great Tips from a Stroke Survivor
"After a Stroke: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier" is just what the title suggests. Cleo Hutton,a 12 year stroke survivor, shares what she has learned during the course of her own stroke recovery. This is not a book written by someone looking from the outside, but rather contains learnings from the inside, from the perspective of a stroke survivor.
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Subjects:  1. Cerebrovascular Diseases    2. Cerebrovascular disease    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Diseases - Heart    6. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    7. Healing    8. Health & Fitness    9. Health/Fitness    10. Neurologic Nursing    11. Nursing - General    12. Popular works    13. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Heart    14. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology   

Reviews (1)

Great book
What a great book!Easy to read and understand....very informative and jam packed with great info on how to avoid a stroke and live a healthy life!!Even if you've never had a stroke, this book is worthwhile. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cerebrovascular disease    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - General    5. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    6. Gerontology    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Healthy Living    10. Patients    11. Popular works    12. Prevention    13. Public Health    14. Rehabilitation    15. Literary Criticism & Collections / Theory    16. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology   

Reviews (7)

This book 'suceeds' with me
Even though I don't have Asperger Syndrome, the text within this book described many challenges I and friends had faced. University administrators and some faculty attempted to talk down to and ignore us only because we were people with disabilities.
Great guide!
This book addresses the social needs of Asperger young adults at a very basic, practical level.At the same time it acknowledges the academic brilliance of these young adults, and how they can use their strengths in intelligence to help accommodate for their social shortcomings.

A very handy book
I found this book to be an extremely practical book regarding the survival of Asperger's Sydnrome sufferers in college. Given that the majority of young AS people would end up at college, this book is essential reading.
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Subjects:  1. Asperger's syndrome    2. Autistic children    3. College student orientation    4. Consumer Health    5. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    6. Education    7. Education (Higher)    8. General    9. Health Care Issues    10. Higher    11. Patients    12. Special Education - General    13. Students & Student Life    14. Coping with disability    15. Higher & further education   

Reviews (8)

An Amazing Year for One with ALS
An inspiring book for anyone facing disability or a terminal illness.Actually there's a lot that any of us can discover from reading about someone with Wakefield's spirit and attitude.
thank you, Darcy
I went to Smith with Darcy.I loved this book -- it inspired me to actually do something I have been talking about doing for many years (take up horseback riding -- not running!).I'm deeply grateful to have known Darcy and read this book.

Touching and thoughtful
This book provides a source of strength and humor for anyone, not only those facing a terrible disease.Her easy and accessible style give the reader a clear picture of her daily struggles and triumphs.I have recommended it to my friends as a book about appreciating life, both the peaks and the valleys. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1969-    2. 1969-2005    3. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Diseases - General    9. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    10. Health    11. Motivational & Inspirational    12. Patients    13. Personal Memoirs    14. Specific Groups - Special Needs    15. Wakefield, Darcy,    16. Body, Mind & Spirit / Personal Transformation   

Subjects:  1. Arthritis    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Diet therapy    5. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    6. General    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health & Healing - General    9. Health/Fitness    10. Osteoarthritis    11. Recipes    12. Health & Fitness / General    13. Health & wholefood cookery    14. Health   

Reviews (5)

A pamphlet length introduction to epilepsy
I recommend this book as a place to get started in learning about epilepsy. Although it is not very scientific, there are no outlandish claims. It presents a realistic picture of epilepsy and a reasonable approach to dealing with it.
Encouraging, Informative
This is a must read for anyone who has epilepsy or dealing with someone who has epilepsy.There are many facts and suggestions that are common sense and is very informative and encouraging!

Outstanding Information
I highly recommend The Challenge of Epilepsy by Sally Fletcher to anyone who is dealing with epilepsy or has a loved one with epilepsy.Lots of very good information!Many varied and outstanding suggestions!!
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Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness    2. Health & Fitness / Alternative Therapies    3. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)    4. Health/Fitness    5. Reference    6. Biofeedback    7. Epilepsy    8. Epileptics    9. Family relationships    10. Patients    11. Psychological aspects    12. Seizures    13. Social aspects   

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   

Reviews (7)

Must Read for parents who adopt and for professionals who work with kids
This book is fantastic! It explains Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects, and gives the reader understanding and tools to use to work with people who have FAS/E and also how to love and accept them and appreciate them as they are. I have an adopted son with FAE and when I first realized he had this I was very discouraged because all I had heard about FAS/E was so negative. I didn't know if I would be successful being the mom he needed me to be. This book gave me such insight. It also showed me that some of what I have dealt with with my son is normal and it is okay. It is a book that celebrates life in all its forms -- even the challenging form FAS/E creates. Thank you to Liz and Jodee Kulp for sharing their life with us.

Taking Hope
Sometimes just being able to take hope that the one we love so dearly will "have a chance" is the greatest gift that can be given.That's where this story told by a mom and her daughter strikes home.It's a short book for a great story.There are no miracles except those that come from hardwork and the grace of life.But that grace is there.The mom give us good links; the daughter gives us insight -- both are invaluable.It's an inspiring story of the good that can be worked by effort and self understanding.The barriers of biology cannot be made to go away -- but they can be climbed over.

Invaluable tool for practioners working with FASD children
This is a well written account from a child and parent regarding the reality of living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects. Not only is this an important internalization for the practitioner but an important tool for parents and family to work through the acceptance of the profound life altering condition this birth defect manifests.Regardless of your level of education this is an important publication for a devastating condition for parent and child.
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Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 4-6    2. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)    3. Alcohol Abuse    4. Brain Injuries    5. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    6. Fetal alcohol syndrome    7. Health & Fitness    8. Mentally handicapped    9. Teenage girls   

Reviews (14)

Comprehensive study
This is a well written,easy to understand book. Senneff goes to great length to detail information on the subject of peripheral neuropathy.This book is very helpful for anyone looking to understand and seeking relief for this problem.

Anodyne Therapy....GREAT for Neuropathy
I recently was diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy by my Podiatrist. He sent me to therapy for a new treatment called Anodyne Light Therapy.I have had 3 treatments and it seems to be helping.I think this is fairly new to Our disease.
Disappointing
I bought this book thinking I might learn something new.It is expensive for a paperback, but its 280-odd pages are in a very large typeface, so its cover leads you to expect more to read than there is.There are numerous anecdotes from people who had struggled with diagnosis of this disease - are doctors really so incompetent?Unfortunately, I did not find many of these to be helpful.The book covers quite a lot of treatment possibilities, many of which are not much use, or not available at present anyway.I did not learn anything new from the book, in spite of my hopes from reading other reviews.I had learned from excellent web sites (neuropathy-trust.org) and other books, and as a patient not afraid to ask questions of my doctors, nor intimidated by them, I found that the book did not give me any new knowledge.It is markedly unhelpful with practical solutions - shoes, socks, etc., that are important for day to day living.A big disappointment after the other rave reviews. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diabetic neuropathies    3. Diseases    4. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    5. General    6. Medical    7. Nerves, Peripheral   

Reviews (1)

Smart Nutrients Especially Niacin
I purchased this book because of my interest as an Alzheimer's caregiver. The stories told of Dr. Hofer's experiences with the cureative aspects of Niacin were a revelation to me even though I have been searching the Internet for answer's to the progression of my wife's diaganosis of Alzheimer's symptoms.
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Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Malnutrition    6. Nootropic agents    7. Nutrition    8. Nutritional aspects    9. Prevention    10. Senile dementia    11. Fitness & diet    12. Popular medicine   

Reviews (8)

Old Information
This book was written before the new drugs for MS.The info in it is dated with some advice that could be harmful if using one of the new drugs such as rebif, avonex, etc.You do not want to rev up your immune system.It is already working overtime destroying your myelin.Try one of the newer books like MS - The First Year by Margaret Blackstone.Also, Teri Garrs book and Fall Down Laughing are good.

Because Doctors Won't or Can't Tell You Everything
This highly readable, well-organized book covers the essential alternative approaches for those dealing with relapsing-remitting MS.It focuses on the best accepted research studies and wellness management (as opposed to symptom management).For example, there is a lot on diet, with great explanations of why it works, but nothing on bee venom therapy (which only temporarily can address symptoms).It's so well written, you can get the essence of the whole thing in a less than an hour, and then drill into the parts as appropriate.

Outstanding!
I have had MS for eight years.I found this book extremely informative. The author discusses information that I have not found anywhere else.Herapproach to disease management through vitamin and mineral suppliments aswell as the importance of identifying food allergies has given me renewedhope.I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Diet therapy    4. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Multiple sclerosis    8. Reference    9. Self-care, Health    10. Treatment    11. Health & Fitness / Alternative Therapies   

Reviews (33)

Not for ladies only?
OK, I'm humble enough to admit I was wrong. When one of my best friends, a Volvo-driving soccer mom if there ever was one, suggested that I read and PURCHASE "Into The Blue", I was skeptical at best. Scenario: author and sister rehabilitate stroke-afflicted father so he can - *gag* - fly again. Yet another "chick" book. Ho-hum.
A fascinating story
This book is the fascinating story of two sisters and their dad who was suffering froma stroke.The sisters are determined to get him back to his airplane.In this book the author underlines the support a patient needs from his doctor for a fast and safe recovery.This book will definitely be a welcome read to any one suffered from a stroke.
Exhilarating Read!
I loved this book! The writing was so sharp and funny, and the story is heartwarming and hilarious, without being overly sentimental.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Cardiovascular Diseases    4. Caregiving    5. Cerebrovascular disease    6. Diseases - Heart    7. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    8. Edsall, Wayne    9. Family & Relationships    10. Family Relationships    11. Family/Marriage    12. Health    13. Medical - General    14. Montana    15. Patients    16. Social Institutions    17. Family & Relationships / Family Relationships   

Subjects:  1. Alternative treatment    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - General    5. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    6. General    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Holism    10. Parkinson's disease    11. Popular works    12. Coping with illness    13. Popular medicine   

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