Fibro Book Review: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia: The Revolutionary Treatment That Can Reverse the Disease

Over a decade ago, Dr. R. Paul St. Amand, an experienced endocrinologist and UCLA assistant clinical professor, published his protocol for reversing fibromyalgia based on nearly half a century of research. 

This book - What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia: The Revolutionary Treatment That Can Reverse the Disease - explains Dr. St. Amand's latest research on guaifenesin. He describes it as an inexpensive, safe, an increasingly available medication that can help reverse Fibromyalgia.

This is a controversial book - it divides people.  

The authors say they have seen symptoms eliminated and normal quality of life restored in an astonishing 90 percent of patients they've treated with guaifenesin.

In reviewing this book I am not endorsing this treatment, I personally have not tried the treatment though have previously written about it in 2009. I think it is valuable to educate yourself about conditions that you have and to know what is available - especially in the way of causes and treatments. Also Dr Amand is a clinical professor with many years research into Fibromyalgia so I am quite prepared to investigate his ideas in this book.

This book,  What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia, is updated and revised with more patient anecdotes and a deeper understanding of symptoms, treatments, and results.

There is: 

--information about the current treatment of fibromyalgia and what causes it
--new results from Dr. St. Amand's studies about the efficacy of guafenesin treatment
--changes in this disease protocol
--discussion of pharmaceuticals in treatment

About the Authors 
Dr. St. Amand is a professor of endocrinology and has been in private practice for over 40 years. 
Claudia Marek is his medical assistant and researcher, she counsels patients on how to use the treatment and as a former sufferer is a leading patient advocate.

Get the book here or read reviews of the book.

I am not endorsing this book but just providing you with information about what Fibromyalgia books are available. If you purchase the book through the link provided I receive a small percentage of the profit and no extra expense to you. 

Read what I wrote more recently about the Guaifenesin protocol.

Get a free copy of "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia"

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Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome (Book Review)

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome : A Survival Manual by Mary Ellen Copeland & Devin Starlanyl.

If you can only buy one book on fibromyalgia, you have found it. Look no further!
When I got my copy, I stayed up all night until I had read the whole thing (not recommended by the authors, by the way.) This and 170 other reader reviews of this book and I think only 1 negative review at Amazon.

This book was written by two Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) sufferers, one an M.D. and the other a psychologist. It covers both the technical medical theories and treatment approaches and the coping aspects in a readable and lively format. 

A whole section on coping strategies useful in one's relationships with family, friends, workplace and doctors is included. Other chapters deal with meditation, the body-mind connection, and how to cope with the cognitive dysfunction familiar to CFIDS patients, termed "fibrofog". The personal experiences of the authors are included in boxes along the margins of this large soft-cover book.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome is discussed in detail in this book. 

Myofascia provide a tough film of connective tissue that surround muscle fibers and hold them in place. At the ends of the muscles, the myofascia band together to form the tendons and ligaments. The system of myofascia connect muscle groups, so that pressing on a sore area, called a trigger point, causes referred pain in another muscle trigger point. Fibromyalgia experts disagree as to the relationship between FMS and MPS, but it is clear that they often occur together in the same patient.

 Reading Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Survival Manual felt like sitting down with two people who truly understood what I was going through — not just the pain, but the confusion, the exhaustion, the emotional toll. I devoured it in one night (not recommended, but I couldn’t put it down), and I kept thinking, “Finally, someone gets it.” The way Copeland and Starlanyl weave together medical insight with lived experience is rare and deeply validating. Their honesty, clarity, and compassion made me feel less alone and more equipped to advocate for myself. If you’re looking for a guide that speaks to both your body and your spirit, this book is it. It’s not just informative — it’s empowering.

Have you read Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Survival Manual too? I’d love to hear what stood out for you — whether it was a moment of recognition, a practical tip, or simply the comfort of being understood. As Copeland and Starlanyl write: “You are not crazy. You are not lazy. You are not imagining things.” That kind of validation can be life-changing. Let’s keep sharing what helps — because healing is never just medical and we can help each other. 

Read more reviews.

You can buy this book for as little as $7.49 (second hand)

This book review is linked up at The Book Nook and Read With Me and Booknificent Thursdays

Books on Fibromyalgia proliferate

Here you will find a list of over 25 Fibromyalgia books. 

Come on now, how many of these books listed have you read? Any? Oh, at least we can not complain about a lack of information.

On the flip side if you know of any extras that you would like to recommend please post them in comments. Also if you have read any of these books I would love to hear if they were beneficial to you.

Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Approach What You Can Do About Chronic Pain and Fatigue by Williamson, Miryam Ehrlich Published in 1996, it was the first book on the disorder for people who have it. It is still an excellent introduction for people newly diagnosed.

The FibroManual A Complete Fibromyalgia Treatment Guide for You and Your Doctor by Ginevra Liptan.

CFS Unravelled: Get Well By Treating The Cause Not Just The Symptoms Of CFS, Fibromyalgia, POTS And Related Syndromes by Dan Nueffer. 

Fibromyalgia Controversy by M. Clement Hall.

The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia by William S. Wilke.

Figuring out Fibromyalgia: Current science and the most effective treatments by Ginerva Liptan, MD.

The Complete Guide to Healing Fibromyalgia: How to Conquer Pain, Fatigue, and Other Symptoms - And Live Your Life to the Fullest by Deborah Mitchell.

The First Year: Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Claudia Craig Marek

Reversing Fibromyalgia: The Whole-Health Approach to Overcoming Fibromyalgia Through Nutrition, Exercise by Joe M. Elrod

The Chronic Fatigue Healing Diet  (Overcoming Common Problems) by Christine Craggs-Hinton

The Fibromyalgia Healing Diet  by Christine Craggs-Hinton

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual by Mary Ellen Copeland and Devin Starlanyl

The Fibromyalgia Help Book: Practical Guide to Living Better with Fibromyalgia by Jenny Fransen

What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Fibromyalgia by Dr. R. Paul St. Amand, M.D.

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Pediatric Fibromyalgia - A Safe New Treatment Plan For Children by Dr. R. Paul St. Amand and Claudia Craig Marek

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia Fatigue The Powerful Program That Helps You Boost Your Energy and Reclaim Your Life by R. Paul St. Amand, M.D. and Claudia Craig Marek, published by Warner Books.

The Fibromyalgia Cure by Dr. David Dryland.

From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.

Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know by Mary J. Shomon.

Pain Free 1-2-3: A Proven Program for Eliminating Chronic Pain Now by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.

The Fibromyalgia Relief Book: 213 Ideas to Improve Your Quality of Life by Miryam Ehrlich Williamson.

Fibromyalgia: The Cause and The Cure by Annesse Brockley and Annesse Brockley. 

Cure Your Fibromyalgia without Medication: Fibromyalgia Treatment and Pain Relief with Diet and Exercises by Jeff Robson.

Foods that Fight Fibromyalgia: Nutrient-Packed Meals That Increase Energy, Ease Pain, and Move You Towards Recovery by Deirdre Rawlings. 

Exercises for Fibromyalgia: The Complete Exercise Guide for Managing and Lessening Fibromyalgia Symptoms. 

Fibromyalgia: Hope Beyond The Pain: by Kelly Hemingway who is both a nurse and a fibromyalgia patient.

Fibromyalgia for Families and Friends by Janet Black who is both a nurse and a patient. 

Treating Fibromyalgia: What You Can Do When Your Doctor Doesn't Know What Else to Do.by Janet Black who is both a nurse and a patient. 

You may also be interested in visiting OUR FIBRO PRODUCT SHOP.

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Groundbreaking study widens treatment options for fibromyalgia

Have you heard about fascia, myofascial release therapy and how it helps fibromyalgia?

If you have not then you need to read more here...

In 2011 a European study, including myofascial release treatments, found significant reduction in fibromyalgia pain even weeks after the treatments had finished. So, long lasting pain relief!

Effects of myofascial release techniques on pain, physical function, and postural stability in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial. 

Eighty-six patients with fibromyalgia syndrome were enrolled in the study. 

Outcome measures were assessed before and immediately after, at six months and one year after the last session of the corresponding intervention.

RESULTS:

After 20 weeks of myofascial therapy, the group showed a significant improvement in painful tender points, McGill Pain Score, physical function, and clinical severity. 

At six months after the trial had finished, there was a significantly lower number of painful points, pain score, physical function and clinical severity. 

Myofascial release therapy is a combination of manual traction and prolonged assisted stretching manoeuvers to break up fascial adhesions.

Fascia could be the answer to a lot of questions
about structure, movement, stability, pain and healing. Deep Recovery

What Is Fascia?

In the broadest sense, fascia, is a thin layer of connective tissue that surrounds every muscle in your body. It is the area targeted in myofascial release therapy.

Why is muscle fascia important?

You could refer to fascia as the connection component of the body. Fascia is, after all, another way to refer to connective tissue. Fascia is the tissue that connects everything into one big interconnected whole. With this in mind then, you could imagine that tension or length experienced in the muscle is in a relationship with the tension or length in the fascia. Fascia is an important component of maintaining the tensional patterns of the body and can be a part of allowing or restricting movements.

 “Figuring out Fibromyalgia: Current science and the most effective treatments” is a book by Dr Ginevra Liptan, that helps us understand fascia in fibromyalgia muscle pain and therefore treatment of muscle pain.

So it seems, because of the scientific evidence in this book, treating the fascia will be the way forward in resolving fibromyalgia muscle pain.

Dr Liptan believes that fascia is the missing link in our understanding of fibromyalgia.  She is a graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine, and is board-certified in internal medicine. After developing fibromyalgia as a medical student, she spent many years using herself as a guinea pig in a search for effective treatments. She is one of the few clinical specialists in the world to focus solely on fibromyalgia, and directs The Frida Center for Fibromyalgia in Portland, Oregon. She also serves as medical advisor to the Fibromyalgia Information Foundation and is on the board for the non-profit Mastering Pain Institute.

She is the author of "The FibroManual: A Complete Fibromyalgia Treatment Guide for You and Your Doctor" and "Figuring out Fibromyalgia: Current Science and the Most Effective Treatments."

Practitioner doing myofascial release.

Other books by Dr Liptan

Myofascial Release Therapy has developed over many years from a combination of Rolfing, Yoga and Joint Mobilisation. More about Myofascial Release Therapy.

Find out more about fascia.

You can find a therapist who does myofascial release therapy HERE

LINKED UP At Fibro Friday No 259

Nutrition-Based Approach to helping relieve symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Dr Oz, who was seen often on the Oprah Show and is a well known television celebrity in his own right, recommends Dr Jacob Teitelbaum's supplement regimen to relieve fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Dr Jacob Teitelbaum's website has a free FMS Symptom Analysis Program to create a natural remedy treatment plan tailored to your specific symptoms.
Dr Teitelbaum has suffered from these conditions himself and has written books and articles about them. He is the lead author of four studies on the effective treatment for fibromyalgia.

Here is the link to Dr Oz's article on Fibromyalgia.

Dr Oz's Recommendation: Because Western medicine was slow to accept fibromyalgia, it is behind in its work; this is an area where patients will want to take a serious look at alternative approaches. Energy-based medicine could offer some important advances in treatment over the next decade, but since it has yet to be tested by independent research, I think it's premature to base your therapy solely on this approach. I'm more impressed by Teitelbaum's supplement regimen, and not only because he has tested his theories: I've put patients on this program with very good results. I would add counseling, as it should always be a part of fibromyalgia treatment. If after a couple of months you don't see improvement, talk to your doctor about drug therapy. 

Do you personally take supplements for your fibromyalgia that you feel really give you some benefit? I would love to hear about your experience with supplements.

This is linked up at Fibro Friday on Fibro Blogger Directory