Autoimmune News / March 2004 / Autoimmune Disease News -- Graves', Hashimoto's, Thyroid, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Scleroderma, Psoriasis, Sarcoidosis, Adrenal Problems, Raynaud's Phenomenon, Hair Loss, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Other Conditions

THE AUTOIMMUNE REPORT -- March 2004 -- Special Issue
From Patient Advocate Mary Shomon, Author of Living Well With Hypothyroidism, Living Well With Autoimmune Disease, The Thyroid Diet Success Guide, and the Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Success

This newsletter is located online at: http://www.thyroid-info.com/autoimmune/mar2004special.htm

Many people with autoimmune conditions also have symptoms of two other overlooked, underdiagnosed and undertreated conditions: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. With as many as 6 to 12 million people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome -- or CFS -- and Fibromyalgia, a great many undiagnosed, there's a possibility that you or someone you know may have one of these complex conditions.

The most common symptoms: debilitating fatigue in CFS, and chronic body pain and interrupted, unrefreshing sleep, in Fibromyalgia. But crossover in symptoms is common, and there are a variety of other symptoms and markers astute practitioners look for in making a diagnosis. But unfortunately, as you suffer these symptoms, you may face the additional challenge of getting properly diagnosed. Some of the more shortsighted members of the medical profession actually consider CFS and Fibromyalgia to be "fad" diseases or psychosomatic illnesses!

As someone who has experienced bouts of both CFS and Fibromyalgia, I've tackled these issues in my new book, which has just been released, Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know. It's the third book in my best-selling "Living Well..." series. The first two books focused on Hypothyroidism, and Autoimmune Disease.

In this information-packed 416-page book, I've drawn on extensive research, the input of the nation's leading practitioners, and my own battle against Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia to give you the tools you need to create a personalized plan for living well with these illnesses. Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know demystifies these often confusing conditions and arms you with vital information on every important aspect of CFS and Fibromyalgia.

While most books promote one particular theory and treatment approach, Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know looks at the bigger picture, by exploring a myriad of theories and treatment options--from conventional therapies such as medication and vitamins, to alternative approaches including yoga and massage.

The book includes:

A foreword by renowned CFS and Fibromyalgia expert and practitioner (and CFS patient himself) Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, author of the best-sellers From Fatigued to Fantastic, and Three Steps To Happiness - Healing Through Joy
A detailed plan for getting diagnosed, including the tests you might ask for in some cases to aid in diagnosis
Descriptions of risk factors and symptoms, and a detailed checklist you can use to aid in self-evaluation and diagnosis with your physician.
A patient-oriented look at the popular protocols
A look at the roles of hormonal treatments, antibiotic and antifungal treatments, dietary changes, detoxification, allergy treatment, stress reduction, lifestyle, and mind, body, and spirit
Detailed information on how to find and work with the right practitioners
Advice from many people -- including practitioners -- diagnosed with CFS and Fibromyalgia on finding hope while coping with these illnesses
An extensive Resources section, including a list of the nation's best CFS and Fibromyalgia experts, with contact information

See the Table of Contents now online.

DO YOU HAVE CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME OR FIBROMYALGIA?

Are you female? Do you have any personal or family history of thyroid disease, chronic sinus infections or ear infections, autoimmune diseases, mononucleosis/glandular fever/Epstein-Barr Virus? Have you recently had an infection, a physical injury or trauma, do you have a history of severe life stress? These are just a few of the risks for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

Do you have serious fatigue that is not much relieved by sleep or rest, and substantially worse after exercise? Do you have a regular sore throat? Tender armpits or lymph nodes? Muscle and joint pain? Brain fog and difficulty concentrating? Do you wake up frequently, and feel that you are not rested after sleep? So you have specific pain particularly in the area where the neck attaches to the throat, in the shoulders, near the elbows, in your buttocks and hips, above the knees, neck and breastbone area? Do you have headaches, worsening food or chemical sensitivities, mood swings? These are just a few of the symptoms that are frequently seen in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

A first step in assessing your own risk and symptoms is to fill out the Risk Factors and Symptoms checklist online at http://www.cfsfibromyalgia.com/info/checklist.htm.

There's also a downloadable, easily printable PDF version online at http://www.cfsfibromyalgia.com/info/checklist.pdf.

This online tools are summary versions, but the comprehensive, full-length full checklist with all the details is featured in my book Living Well With Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia.

MORE RESOURCES ONLINE

Your next step is to learn more about CFS and Fibromyalgia. I've put together a number of helpful resources, including:

Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Page
CFS/Fibromyalgia Main Bookstore
Additional CFS/Fibromyalgia Books
A Comprehensive List of Vitamins and Supplements for CFS and Fibromyalgia Patients
Online Support Resources for CFS and Fibromyalgia Patients
The Best CFS and Fibromyalgia Resources -- Including web sites, testing resources, patient groups, conferences, ways to find doctors, publications, online newsletters, products, self-help tools, and much more.

MARY SHOMON: MY OWN STORY

My own story, in terms of my experiences with CFS and Fibromyalgia, and how I'm living well now, are featured in a free sample chapter of the book that is online. Read the chapter now at http://www.cfsfibromyalgia.com/book/excerpt.htm.

GET YOUR COPY NOW AT BOOKSTORES

If you want a copy of the book, you can get it now at bookstores everywhere in the U.S. If you live outside the U.S., ask your bookseller to order you a copy:

Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know
by Mary J. Shomon
Published by HarperResource/ HarperCollins
ISBN #: 0060521252
Retail list price: $14.95 US Dollars

ORDER ONLINE FROM IHERB.COM -- $8.00 SALE PRICE

To help make the book available to as many people as possible, Iherb.com, my favorite online retailer of health products and publications, is offering the book at a special discount price of only $8.00 plus shipping. This is $6.95 OFF the regular $14.95 retail price! You will not find a better deal anywhere on a copy of the book, and Iherb ships everywhere, including outside the U.S. You can order online at Iherb.com now at: http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?iherb+jBx8gj+lwfatigue.html

Iherb.com offers excellent service, terrific prices, and is extremely reliable in the 3 years I've been ordering from them personally, so I highly recommend them.

YOU CAN ORDER BY PHONE TOLL-FREE

Iherb.com also takes phone orders! So if you're nervous about ordering online, pick up a phone and give them a call at 888-792-0028 to order your copy of Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING

Mary Shomon is a brilliant and compassionate patient advocate who has written a thorough and balanced book that will teach you how to get well now.

-- Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, CFS/FMS researcher and practitioner and bestselling author of From Fatigued to Fantastic and Three Steps To Happiness - Healing Through Joy, founder of the End Fatigue and Vitality 101web sites.

If you're one of the millions afflicted with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or think you may be, start changing your life for the better now by reading this crucial book. There are very real answers that will help you even more than you dare to hope, and Mary Shomon has done an absolutely masterful job of providing them to you here.

-- Dr. Joseph Mercola, dietary physician, author of the New York Times best-seller The No-Grain Diet and founder of popular natural health website Mercola.com

Read more reviews now, at: http://www.cfsfibromyalgia.com/book/reviews.htm

ORDER ONLINE FROM AMAZON & OTHERS

You can also order online at all the popular online bookstores, including BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com. Amazon has discounted the book 30% and is offering it for $10.47 plus shipping. Here's a handy link that takes you right to the book on Amazon. Order from Amazon.com

I've regularly ordered books on Amazon for more than five years, and have always had excellent service, so I also recommend them.

REQUEST IT AT YOUR LIBRARY

Your library may already have the book, and if not, you can ask at your library that they acquire a copy of the book for their collection. Many libraries try to purchase new books that are requested by patrons. You’ll need to give them the following information:

Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
Author: Mary J. Shomon
Published by HarperResource/ HarperCollins
ISBN #: 0060521252

Subscribe to this Newsletter

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NOTES FROM MARY:

A regular newsletter is coming soon. I've been busy -- as you can see! -- trying to help get the word out about this new book. I'm actually launching the media tour tomorrow, Tue. March 16th, and will be doing a number of live interviews beginning tomorrow and throughout the month. If you're in one of these areas, tune in to the show! And if you have a favorite show or station you'd like to hear me on, drop me a line with the information, at mary@cfsfibromyalgia.com

3/16 9:30 am WKXJ-FM/Chattanooga TN
3/16 10:05 am Accent Radio Network - w/The Right Balance, nationally syndicated
3/16 11:35 am KTSA-AM/San Antonio TX, w/Eliza Sonneland
3/16 2:20 pm WDRC-AM/Hartford CT, with Mary Jones
3/16 3:00 pm WRVC-AM/Charleston W, Viewpoint show
3/22 9:00 am KGAB-AM/Cheyenne-Denver WY, Morning Zone
3/23 11:00 am WBAA-AM/Indiana Public Radio AM920 Magazine
3/26 12:10 pm KSWB-AM/Portland OR, Morning Show, mid-sized AM
3/30 12:40 pm KLPW-AM/St. Louis MO, live w/Greg & Karen

Thanks to everyone who contributed information for this latest book, and to all for your patience, and may you all...

Live well!

-- Mary

The Autoimmune Report is published regularly by Mary Shomon. Please invite your friends to subscribe! Send them a copy with your recommendation. The Autoimmune Report is copyright 1997-2006 by Mary Shomon.

Web: http://www.autoimmunebook.com
Email: autoimmune@thyroid-info.com
Regular mail: Mary Shomon, P.O. Box 565, Kensington, MD 20895-0565
Fax: 425-977-1175

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