Your Symptoms Are Real: What to Do When Your Doctor Says Nothing Is Wrong

By Benjamin H. Natelson

Praise for
Your Symptoms Are Real

Thank God for this book. It provides the help that millions of Americans with 'silent illnesses' like chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia have been waiting for. Dr. Natelson is a brilliant and compassionate clinician who covers the best treatments that medical science has to offer, along with a thorough consideration of complementary approaches. Short of cloning him, this book offers the specific help you need to work in partnership with your own physician.
--Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of
Minding the Body, Mending the Mind

Natelson is the kind of doctor every patient is looking for: smart, thoughtful, empathetic, and supportive. Reading Your Symptoms Are Real is the next best thing to having a world-renowned specialist managing your case.
--Charles W. Lapp, M.D., Director of the Hunter-Hopkins Center
and Assistant Consulting Professor at Duke University Medical Center

Do not throw up your hands and give up when one doctor after another tells you there is nothing wrong with you--instead, read this book! Benjamin Natelson is the person you have been looking for to guide you on your path to recovery.
--Sandra Blakeslee, coauthor of The Body Has a Mind of Its Own

Natelson superbly incorporates research studies, clinical trials (even on drugs in development), and patient case reports in this book. If you are battling pain and fatigue symptoms but your tests are all normal, you will enjoy reading Natelson's pro-patient approach to explaining the real nature of your illness, his recommended treatment approaches, and how to cope with everything that is going on in your life.
--Kristin Thorson, editor of the Fibromyalgia Network and President of the American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471740284
• ISBN13: 9780471740285
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Trade Paper Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

best book

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK WRITEEN CURRENTLY FOR THOSE WITH FIBRO, IT IS EASY TO FOLOW AND EXPLAIN THE PROBLEMS WELL BUY IT

LOVE THIS BOOK!

This book is EXCELLENT! It is written by a medical doctor who has done a great deal of research in the area he is writing about. And HE CARES! I am an RN with a Bachelor's degree in science. Everything in this book makes sense to me. It is not the usual questionable information I often have found in books about CFS, FMS. This is a book you can hand to your doctor and say I want these tests.....It is very easy to read for the regular person and it is written with compassion. This is a doctor who actually believes he needs to LISTEN to his patients. The blood work, X-rays, etc. are all important, but if they say there is nothing wrong-it doesn't mean that your symptoms aren't real. What a wonderful concept. I think this book should be required for every medical student, resident out there. Who knows, doctors might start listening again to their patients!

An empowering book

Dr. Natelson has written a much needed book on unexplained illnesses. The book empowers both the patient and the doctor. He helps the patient to determine if their current doctor is the right match for them, and he explains the qualities a patient should look for in a doctor. He explains his step-by-step diagnosis procedure and enumerates medications that might help symptoms, all supported by research. He discusses complimentary medicine that might help, and the pitfalls that vulnerable patients might fall into with ads of "miracle cures". He even helps the patient to be pro-active by improving their symptoms through diet and through a very graduated exercise program. At the end, he discusses latest research findings. Even though Dr. Natelson's book is helpful for doctors, it is written in a way that is also very easy for patients to understand. If he needs to bring up something in one part of his book, such as problems with sleep, in reference to the current topic, but the detailed discussion of that topic comes later in the book, he tells the reader that he will go into it in detail in a specific subsequent chapter. At the end of each chapter, he includes a very helpful summary, and tells the reader what he will discuss next. These writing techniques make the book easy to understand (especially for those of us with CFS "brain fog"), and also provides a reference book of information at our fingertips.

Excellent

I found this book to be a welcome new addition to the many that I have read in the past decade covering neuro/immune/ muscular type illnesses. It addresses issues that relate to those initially dealing with symptoms,to those diagnosed who struggle to cope with adapting to the many changes that occur and the management of ongoing symptoms. Being diagnosed over ten years ago after a long frustrating path of disabling illness, I wish that I had this book when few if any were available on M.E.,CFIDS/FM,etc.. Dr. Natelson imparts a hopeful and optimistic attitude to the patient who is weary of dealing with a skeptical medical field. Particuarly, the chapters which outline options for those wanting to exercise to maintain their independence and abilities; he is measured and practical keeping in mind the fear of flares or relapse potential if pushed beyond one's limitations. This book is filled with a blend of past and present treatments and research information. It is a rational, measured approach by one who has listened. observed and studied this area for many years. It is definitely well worth one's time and energy. Sue ( New Jersey)

Excellent Book

Dr. Natelson has done a real service for all those with "invisible illnesses" like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and IBS, as well as those with undiagnosed symptoms. In the book, he explains why a disconnect exists between patients with these disorders and their doctors and how to overcome it. Then he provides a practical approach to dealing with symptoms, including specific treatments that are backed up by research and experiential data. Complementary treatments are included as well, with practical, real-life strategies that will help you feel better and improve functioning. There may be no cure for many of the illnesses he addresses, but if you are looking for a concise, sensible handbook to help in dealing with the various symptoms, this is it. I've had CFS and Fibromyalgia for 14 years, and oh, how I wish I had had this book years ago to help manage my illness.