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Rating: 
Summary: Nice Try, But There Is a Better Theory
Review: After 11 years of battling this illness, 5 surgeries, consultations with doctors from top medical centers in the US, I was fortunate enough to find Dr. Goldstein. Although the book is difficult reading (and reading is not easy for us with this disorder due to cognitive problems), his results are spectacular and he has probably defined a new class of disease: neurosomatic disorders, for which some experts feel he deserves a Nobel Prize. His understanding of the brain and the use of neuropharmacology is unparalleled. Worth the effort to read, the case histories are not at all exaggerated....spend a few days in his waiting room and you will quickly see the results he produces and meet long time patients who are much improved. My only regret is that he is unable to communicate his vast understanding of the brain to the general public. I suggest the companion book to help clarify his methods. The case histories he includes are fascinating and true! My life is certainly different from the pain racked, bedridden one it was before I met him. His unpopular and unconventional ideas are widely misunderstood and we patients suffer unecessarily with clumsy symptom control efforts of the uninformed medical establishment. Every doctor I see I give a copy of this book and many have said what a valuable work it is, albeit difficult to comprehend first time through. Many patients would benefit if more doctors would take the time to understand neurosomatic disorders and realize how quickly and simply they can be treated once they are recognized. Dr. Goldstein is years ahead of his time! In my opinion this book will become a classic.
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Summary: Goldstein is wrong.
Review: He is out to make money on the sick, IMHO.His theory is all hot air. I do not know of one person helped by him. Sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Try, But There Is a Better Theory
Review: I have read different parts of the book. Certainly there is a neurological problem in CFS. But, there is another theory out. A Dr. Poesnecker who wrote Chronic Fatigue Unmasked 2000 is treating and healing patients of CFS or CFIDS left and right. His theory: The adrenals are the origin of the problem. He uses adrenal extract not cortisone to heal his patients in a very slow but sure manner. I am one of his patients. I have CFS. I also have adrenal insufficiency. A medical test proved it. I am in the process of being treated with adrenal extract. My insomnia is now gone and also my racing thoughts at night. I am now looking forward to a complete recovery.
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Summary: Dr. Goldstein's approach cured me of CFS
Review: I was housebound and often bedridden for 15 years with severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I tried many treatment approaches but nothing had any beneficial effect. I began working with Dr. Goldstein in 2001, following the experimental drug protocol set forth in this book. I was on the meds he prescribed for 3 years. During that time, I gradually recovered. I am now off the meds, working fulltime, and living a normal life. I know this approach does not work for everyone, but it has worked for many people with CFS, and I would recommend giving it serious consideration. Dr. Goldstein's hypothesis is that CFS is the result of a malfunction of the nervous system in which the neurons are over-responsive to stimuli. Sounds, smells, bright lights, stress, etc. all over-stimulate the over-reactive nervous system, causing fatigue and adrenal exhaustion. This is certainly consistent with my own experience of the illness. The meds reduce synaptic transmission. Over time, they can restore the nervous system to normal functioning.
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Summary: Dr. Goldstein's approach cured me of CFS
Review: I was housebound and often bedridden for 15 years with severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I tried many treatment approaches but nothing had any beneficial effect. I began working with Dr. Goldstein in 2001, following the experimental drug protocol set forth in this book. I was on the meds he prescribed for 3 years. During that time, I gradually recovered. I am now off the meds, working fulltime, and living a normal life. I know this approach does not work for everyone, but it has worked for many people with CFS, and I would recommend giving it serious consideration. Dr. Goldstein's hypothesis is that CFS is the result of a malfunction of the nervous system in which the neurons are over-responsive to stimuli. Sounds, smells, bright lights, stress, etc. all over-stimulate the over-reactive nervous system, causing fatigue and adrenal exhaustion. This is certainly consistent with my own experience of the illness. The meds reduce synaptic transmission. Over time, they can restore the nervous system to normal functioning.
Rating:
Summary: A very technical but provocative book, worth reading.
Review: Jay Goldstein presents an interesting combination of highly technical neurobiochemical arguments mixed with practical, anecdotal reports from his work with patients with severe neurosomatic disorders. The scientific statements and arguments are so complex that most physicians would would have difficulty following them, or even arguing with them. There is , however, an underlying logic and point of view which is fascinating and holds the possibility of helping a lot of people with apparently hopeless medical problems. I skipped over many sections of the book because of the "heaviness" of the medical language. Despite this, I realy enjoyed the book and hope to try some of the therapies with my patients. Joseph R. Duba, M.D.
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Summary: Review update.
Review: Since reading Betrayal by the Brain I discovered The Companion Volume to Dr Jay A. Goldstein's Betrayal by the Brain (also available from Amazon). Written by Katie Courmel (a non-scientist), this appears very useful in helping those who are not experts in Neurochemistry to understand the technical aspects of his therapy, although it posesses technical difficulty, also. Joseph R. Duba, M.D.
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