Fibromyalgia For Dummies

Roland Staud, MD, an experienced rheumatologist, is a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Rheumatology. Christine Adamec has been a freelance medical writer for over 20 years.

• Introduction 1Part I: The What, When, and Why of Fibromyalgia 7Chapter 1: Yes, Fibromyalgia Is Real 9Chapter 2: Recognizing Key Symptoms of Fibromyalgia 21Chapter 3: Understanding Possible Causes of Fibromyalgia 37Chapter 4: Understanding Fibromyalgia Pain 57Part II: Finding Out Whether You Have Fibromyalgia 67Chapter 5: Who Gets Picked to Have Fibromyalgia? 69Chapter 6: Identifying Diseases Often Confused with Fibromyalgia 75Chapter 7: Working with a Good Fibromyalgia Doc: You Need a True Believer 93Chapter 8: Getting Physical: Your Initial Exam and Diagnosis 105Part III: Looking At All Your Treatment Options 119Chapter 9: Medicating the Problem: Over-the-Counter Drugs May Help 121Chapter 10: Prescribing Health with Medications 131Chapter 11: Using Hands-On Therapies 147Chapter 12: Considering Alternative Remedies and Treatments 161Part IV: Modifying Your Lifestyle: Small Changes, Big Results 175Chapter 13: Depressurizing Yourself: Controlling the Stress-Eyed Monster 177Chapter 14: Sweet Dreams! Combating Sleep Disorders 189Chapter 15: Exercising, Losing Weight, and Avoiding Trigger Foods and Drinks 203Chapter 16: Coping with Emotions: Your Own 217Part V: Managing Fibromyalgia at Work and at Home 227Chapter 17: Working with Fibromyalgia — Or Going on Disability 229Chapter 18: Helping Loved Ones Deal with Your Fibromyalgia 243Chapter 19: Helping Someone You Care About Who’s Hurting 257Chapter 20: Parenting a Child or Adolescent with Fibromyalgia 267Part VI: The Part of Tens 279Chapter 21: Ten Alternative Remedies That Help People with Fibromyalgia 281Chapter 22: Ten Mistakes to Avoid When You Have Fibromyalgia 287Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Beat the Effects of Brain Fog 293Chapter 24: Ten Myths about Fibromyalgia 297Part VII: Appendixes 301Appendix A: Glossary 303Appendix B: Fibromyalgia Medications 307Appendix C: Resources and Support 315Index 321