The Sjogren's Syndrome Survival Guide

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful
Review: I really enjoyed this book because it deals with the emotional and psychological effects of having a chronic illness. Sometimes when patients are diagnosed with autoimmune diseases they feel very frightened and alone...this book lets people know that others can totally empathize and relate to what they are experiencing. It gives advice on what to look for in a doctor (many are ignorant of autoimmune diseases!), and how to cope with people who just don't understand the debilitating impact of Sjogren's. I recommend this book in conjunction with the New Sjogren's Syndrome Handbook, which maps out the biomedical aspects of the disease.

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful
Review: I really enjoyed this book because it deals with the emotional and psychological effects of having a chronic illness. Sometimes when patients are diagnosed with autoimmune diseases they feel very frightened and alone...this book lets people know that others can totally empathize and relate to what they are experiencing. It gives advice on what to look for in a doctor (many are ignorant of autoimmune diseases!), and how to cope with people who just don't understand the debilitating impact of Sjogren's. I recommend this book in conjunction with the New Sjogren's Syndrome Handbook, which maps out the biomedical aspects of the disease.

Rating:
Summary: Review of Sjogren's Syndrome Survival Guide
Review: The number of books avaiable on Sjogren's Syndrome are very limited, and this book is a welcome addition. I found it to be informative, easy-to-read, and honest. I liked the frankness of this book as it portrayed a realistic picture of what life is like for people who have Sjogren's. This book covers a wide range of topics and does not make light of life with Sjogren's. I could relate to much of what was written. Also, this "survival" guide does not offer easy solutions on how to "conquer" Sjogren's. It recognizes that Sjogren's cannot be conquered but, at the same time, it provides the reader with realistic and helpful suggestions on how to cope with this illness. It also recognizes both the variability of how the illness affects people, as well as the commanalities that we all may share. My thanks to Dr. Rumpf and Ms. Hammitt for taking the time to write The Sjogren's Syndrome Survival Guide.

Rating:
Summary: Review of Sjogren's Syndrome Survival Guide
Review: The number of books avaiable on Sjogren's Syndrome are very limited, and this book is a welcome addition. I found it to be informative, easy-to-read, and honest. I liked the frankness of this book as it portrayed a realistic picture of what life is like for people who have Sjogren's. This book covers a wide range of topics and does not make light of life with Sjogren's. I could relate to much of what was written. Also, this "survival" guide does not offer easy solutions on how to "conquer" Sjogren's. It recognizes that Sjogren's cannot be conquered but, at the same time, it provides the reader with realistic and helpful suggestions on how to cope with this illness. It also recognizes both the variability of how the illness affects people, as well as the commanalities that we all may share. My thanks to Dr. Rumpf and Ms. Hammitt for taking the time to write The Sjogren's Syndrome Survival Guide.

Rating:
Summary: Sjogren's Syndrome Survival Guide
Review: This new book offers a wealth of information on both the medical and psychological aspects of Sjogren's syndrome. It gives the reader a comprehensive, but plain spoken, perspective on living with this complex disease.

Dr. Teri Rumpf is a clinical psychologist and Kathy Hammitt is Past President of the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation. Both authors have Sjogren's Syndrome. Because of their personal and professional qualifications they are able to describe the subjective and objective aspects of the disease.

This book is totally captivating. It reads like a novel. It is guaranteed that the reader will see themselves over and over again throughout the book. The medical section include chapters on how Sjogren's is defined and what makes the diagnosis, as well as chapters on the ways in which Sjogren's affects different parts of the body and the various treatment options available. Chapters on living with the illness include sections on the doctor/patient relationship, relationships with family and friends, and riding the emotional roller coaster with which we can all identify.

Additional chapters discuss adaptation to life with a chronic illness, healing, work, and the hope that research currently offers. There is a section on Resources that is useful to those who are newly diagnosed or to those who have had the disease for many years.

The explanation of all of the abnormal blood work that accompanies Sjogren's, in the chapter entitled "What Makes a Diagnosis," is particularly useful. It answered so many of my questions. The chapter on relationships dealing with family and friends really hit home. Every reader will be able to identify with this section.

The Sjogren's Syndrome Survival Guide offers information in a way that readers without sophisticated medical knowledge or psychological backgrounds can understand, but it does not oversimplify. This is a book that both healthcare professionals and patients will benefit from reading. The authors give a well rounded picture of living with the disease and they do not sugarcoat it. They make it clear that knowledge is power and that is important for patients to be well informed and educated.

This is a welcome addition to the small, but growing, arsenal of books on Sjogren's Syndrome.

One book, even a great one, is not likely to make Sjogren's into a household word, but this one does all it can to explain what it's like to have Sjogren's Syndrome.