Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and FibromyalgiaForeword
Perhaps you remember the story of the Holy Grail that was purported to have the miraculous power of restoring health for anyone who found and drank from it. Legend has it that King Arthur sought this divine relic and sent his trusted knights to seek it out. I occasionally lecture on the Holy Grail because the myth parallels what I hear daily in my practice of medicine: patients on a mission to find a miraculous panacea. This is particularly the case for persons with CFS or FM. There are a few souls who do find a panacea of sorts. Like Galahad, they discover that reaching the goal is less important than the journey itself. These souls discover that when they've seen all the doctors, tried all the drugs, and explored all the alternatives, the most effective treatment for CFS and FM comes from within: they learn to deal with the illness. When I first discovered Bruce Campbell's book, I knew that I was close to the Grail. For years I had strived for a cure for CFS/FM, but had come to realize that medically I could only treat the symptoms and optimize my patients' health. Time and nature cured the patient, provided he or she could adapt to a new lifestyle. There are no known prognostic factors for recovery from CFS or FM, but from years of experience I can tell you two things. First, those who do poorly are generally overwhelmed by depression and a lack of support. Second, those who do extremely well all share a positive attitude and willingness to adapt. Most authorities on CFS and FM agree that there are four steps that predictably lead to improvement in CFS and FM. These are:
Your doctors can help with symptom management and counseling. This volume can guide you through the rest. This book offers hope to those with CFS/ME and FM. There may be no known cure for these conditions, but the book in your hands makes it clear that there are many means to improving quality of life. Charles W. Lapp, M.D.
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