Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Treatment Guide, 2nd Edition

I had never given ME/CFS a great deal of thought until my youngest daughter (31) was diagnosed with it. It is a crippling condition which affects the sufferer and their family profoundly. Treatment is very hit and miss and you are fortunate to find a specialist who is proactive in looking after you.

This book was a revelation! It is set out so clearly, walking the reader through from diagnosis to hopeful recovery. The author discusses various treatments, supplements, pros and cons of these, diet, exercise etc. In the absence of useful therapy for my daughter, we are now armed with far more information than we were 18 months ago when she was diagnosed. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel has not happened up to now.....with this book show more we feel empowered and armed to face ME and obtain the correct treatment where possible. Making subtle changes with supplements and self help have made all the difference already.

I can't think of any better reading material to unravel some of the mysteries which surround this condition and urge anyone who suffers from it or is close to a person with ME/CFS to obtain this book by any means possible.

Thank you Erica. show less

An incredibly complete and up-to-date encyclopedia of information for CFS/ME patients and those who want to understand and help them. Includes everything from the latest research to analysis of treatments to tips for daily living.

For the past dozen years I have struggled with CFS/ME. During that time I tried various doctors and practices, and followed various online sources for new information. I remain severely limited, particularly by my inability to sustain energy. I requested this book, curious but skeptic of finding anything new and helpful. I found it to be the best single source on CFS/ME.

Erica Verrillo gives up all you ever wanted to know about chronic fatigue, or rather everything that is known today about this confusing show more condition. Although she cannot eliminate all the confusion and uncertainty, she explains debated issues well, using simple scientific language. There is no known cause or reliable cure, but as she points out, there is abundant information which enables many sufferers to obtain relief and sometimes an end for their suffering. Even its name is contested: Americans calling it Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and researchers elsewhere naming it Myalgia Encephalomyelitis. Despite a core group of symptoms, not all patients respond identically to CFS or to potential medicines and protocols. Part of the problem, Verrillo says, is that CFS affects multiple organs and multiple body systems. Its multifunctional and varied nature does not fit into the medical establishment’s areas of specialization. This book is her attempt to bring scattered CFS/ME information into a conceptual framework so that patients and doctors can better understand its symptoms and use a wide variety of tested possibilities to lessen its impact.

Read more:http://wp.me/24OK2 show less

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Treatment Guide, 2nd Edition by Erica Verrillo is a comprehensive and practical resource for those navigating the complex world of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME). The book provides a thorough overview of the condition, including its symptoms, diagnosis challenges, and the latest treatment strategies. Verrillo’s guidance is grounded in research but presented in an accessible, patient-centered manner. Readers will find actionable advice on lifestyle management, dietary adjustments, and integrative therapies, making it a valuable companion for both patients and caregivers. This second edition expands on the first, incorporating recent medical developments and offering more structured treatment plans.

If you have CFS or experience it with a loved one, then this book is a must. Verrillo has exhaustively researched this illness and it is a book that will be dipped in regularly. The History of CFS is something that I have not found in other books, and I found it fascinating. The authors provide many links to more information and are generous with references. I reviewed the kindle edition, which is easy to navigate and search. Not only have I found it helpful, but my husband has and my mother picked up her own copy. Thanks to the authors for their attention and advocacy, and promoting that in this reader.

Received this book as a member giveaway from early reviewers. A little bit of background about why I was so pleased to see this book: I am a librarian in a hospital, so this book would be something we'd consider putting in our collection if it was good. In short: the book is not that good. I don't understand the organization of sections; the wordiness of each entry under the headings distracts rather than helps understanding each defined element, and last, at 700 pages this tome is, well, useless. It is not clear as to where the author was going with this book, and it does not come off as a benefit to readers at all.

I was excited to have a chance to review this book. I've suspected that I might suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome for awhile now, but after reading this book, I realized that I most likely do not have it (gotta add the disclaimer that any book should not be used in place of a medical professional to provide diagnoses). I appreciated the easy-to-read format of this book. The author writes in a way that is understandable, and she includes both recommended reading and reference lists throughout the book. It is apparent that the author is well-versed on this subject and I hope that many people will benefit from this book.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review via a LibraryThing member giveaway.

Erica Verillo presents here a comprehensive, authoritative and exhaustive review of chronic fatigue syndrome/ME. It begins with a history of the acceptance of this condition as a syndrome, the difficulties of both defining and diagnosing it. It explores the frequent co-morbidities of the syndrome: many sufferers are managing other conditions, both physical and mental, along with their chronic fatigue. It sets out a wide range of treatment options, from medical management of the condition to alternative therapies.

It is not a book to read through in a sitting, and certainly not a book most sufferers of chronic fatigue are likely to read every word of. It's an encyclopedic reference book, and is best used in this way by dipping into the show more information about a particular issue or treatment covered in the book.

A member of my family and a friend have this diagnosis: this book improved my understanding of their condition and will help me encourage them to pursue appropriate treatments. show less