
Photo obtained from http://www.fibromanual.com
Title: THE FIBROMANUAL
Subtitle: A Complete Treatment Guide to Fibromyalgia for You … and Your Doctor.
Author: Ginerva Liptan, M.D
Type of Book: Ebook
Length: 384 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction – Medical
Price: $11.99 on Amazon.com
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Publisher: Ballantine Books – An imprint of Random House www.randomhousebooks.com.
ISBN: 978-1-101-96720-1
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
While in medical school, Dr. Ginerva Liptan discovered that she was suffering Fibromyalgia. Of that time, she says: “I finally accepted that I had fibromyalgia. I felt hopeless and helpless. I told myself that it wasn’t fatal – it wasn’t ‘cancer’ – but it still felt like a death sentence.”
This may sound strange, but I was thrilled when I read the above quote. My first thought was that I couldn’t believe that a medical doctor had ever felt the way I seem to feel every day. My second thought was one of hope. “Okay” I said to myself, “Maybe I’ve finally found the perfect book. Maybe this book will contain less theory and more practical advice for living with this horribly debilitating disease.”
I love the fact that when the author was diagnosed, her initial response was the same as mine; to read every relevant book she could find and to try each and every treatment option available.
Ginerva Liptan states that her problems (and her frustration) were compounded by her extreme fatigue and lack of energy. I know EXACTLY what she means since I am currently in the same situation.
Dr. Genevra Liptan does an amazing job of describing fibromyalgia in terms that anyone can understand. She also addresses the fact that some people and even some doctors do not believe in the existence of fibromyalgia. She also points out that the disbelief is rapidly diminishing due to the overwhelming amount of evidence and extensive scientific testing that has taken place in the past few years that conclusively proves that fibromyalgia is all too real. She points out that: “Even at rest, fibromyalgia muscles show a level of lactic acid you would expect in someone who has run a 5K race.” As well as the fact fibromyalgia sufferers experience constant tension in their muscles and that: “Nonstop muscle tension is equivalent to nonstop exercise. No wonder we’re tired and our muscles hurt.”
Once Dr. Ginerva Liptan explains exactly what fibromyalgia is and how it affects the lives of those suffering with it, she then dedicates the rest of the book to helping readers create a personalized plan to alleviate and/or control their symptoms.
The plans are exceptionally detailed and yet easily understandable.
Why would anyone suffering with fibromyalgia not try her ideas?
The fact that Dr. Liptan is also a fibromyalgia sufferer gives her a unique perspective that most doctors cannot and do not have. Also, it gives readers of the book confidence in her advice because she truly understands how it feels to have fibromyalgia.
She has also created worksheets to fill out as well as information sheets that readers can give to the doctor that they are currently using.
To take it an extra step further, she has also created a companion website and has included (in the book) links to many different web resources that readers may find helpful.
As far as I am concerned, this book is now my new bible. I will be following her plans and I will be purchasing a copy of it to give to my family doctor.
This book deserves 10 stars, but since the highest rating I can give is 5 stars, I rate THE FIBROMANUAL as an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For anyone who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, for anyone who deals with patients who have fibromyalgia or for anyone whose loved one has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia or even for anyone who just wants to expand their knowledge about this disease; this is a MUST BUY, MUST READ book.
~ I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Photo obtained from http://www.fibromanual.com
In 2011 Dr. Ginerva Liptan founded the first private practice in the United States dedicated exclusively to Fibromyalgia. It is called the Frida Center for Fibromyalgia and is located at Lake Oswego, Oregon.
HONORS:
Recipient of OHSU Gerlinger Foundation Research Award to support study “Efficacy of myofascial release therapy in reducing symptoms of fibromyalgia.”