Rating: 
Summary: (Drum Roll Please) This Book Saved My Life!
Review: I have had lupus for at least 20 years and have been diagnosed for 12 of those years. I have a good amount of knowledge of the disease and have been professionally employed as a health educator for rheumatic diseases in the past. I have also been a rheumatic diseases support group leader since 1986. But what good is knowledge when you are too ill to use it? People who have the symptom of severe fatigue, as well as those who share my experience with lupus cognitive impairment problems, will understand what I mean. I was having shortness of breath and knew that trouble breathing is big trouble. I was being treated in a managed care setting with antibiotics. I had also been taken off my medications to see if drug allergies were causing breathing problems, and it was proposed that this be tried again even though I only got sicker the first time. I was told I might have acute lupus pneumonitis and when I saw some of my own test results I knew this is what I had. But I wasn't sure what to do about it! My steroids were being decreased and I was getting worse. A paragraph in Dr. Wallace's book leapt out at me, telling me that (page 85) "If it is properly managed with high doses of steroids, [acute lupus pneumonitis] can be completely reversible...Despite this, it is unfortunate that up to 50 percent of patients with ALP die within months, often due to a delay in diagnosis". Well, folks, I happen to know Dr. Wallace and hightailed to Beverly Hills to see him ASAP. I did have ALP and I would have been in a box underground soon enough if I didn't get treatment, which obviously I did or I wouldn't be here writing this review. Enough said! Get the book.
Rating:
Summary: The most comprehensive book about lupus available.
Review: I have recommended this book to numerous people to help them understand their illness better. Dr. Wallace has written this book in terms that a lay person can understand, but never 'talks down' to the reader. This book is an excellent tool for arming oneself in being their own patient advocate. The information can allow you to converse with your heath care provider, working with them to achieve the best care for you. Having read many books about this disease which I have had for the last 10 years, I am pleased with the extensive coverage of the many symptoms and ways that lupus can manifest itself. A very helpful and useful book.
Rating:
Summary: Fellow Lupies - Get It!
Review: I have the 1996 one, and got the new one last night. Read it entirely. It's full of very useful new information, such as splitting the peripheral nervous system out from the central NS. Up to date lab work, expanded medications section. It's very much worth while. You will recognize some sections as lifted bodily from the old version, but it really is revised and expanded, well worth your dollars!
Rating:
Summary: Best book on the subject!
Review: I was diagnosised with Lupus 27 yrs ago at age 17. Since then, I have literally seen 100's of Drs, most of whom were, to be kind, not very knowledgeble about SLE. This book has been instrumental in getting me the care and treatment that I need. I take it with me to nearly all Drs appointments and have given copies of it to Drs who need the information that it contains to competently treat my illness. If you're looking for a factual, well written and easy to understand book about Lupus, to either read yourself or to give to family and friends, this is the book you've been looking for.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST book out there so far!
Review: I was just diagnosed this year with lupus and let me tell you, I was reading everything I could on lupus and when I ordered this book and read it in less than 1 day I felt so much better about my disease because this book helps you understand it, it is clear and concise. I feel after reading this book that I have at least better understanding and that is what we all need. I have passed the book onto my family members to read as well. VERY informative book.
Rating:
Summary: A very handy reference
Review: I was recently diagnosed with lupus and bought this book to try to help me understand what it was I would be facing. If you or someone in your family has this disease, this book will help you understand. I highly recommend having it as a reference. It does tend toward medical-ese (as opposed to some other "how to live your life" books that are more geared toward the common denominator), so it may take a while to grasp some of the information. But, it provides a very good overview of what to expect from all the medical tests and symptoms you can expect with the disease.
Rating:
Summary: A very handy reference
Review: I was recently diagnosed with lupus and bought this book to try to help me understand what it was I would be facing. If you or someone in your family has this disease, this book will help you understand. I highly recommend having it as a reference. It does tend toward medical-ese (as opposed to some other "how to live your life" books that are more geared toward the common denominator), so it may take a while to grasp some of the information. But, it provides a very good overview of what to expect from all the medical tests and symptoms you can expect with the disease.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute Best Book on Lupus on the Market Today!
Review: I've got lupus. I buy every book and phamplet I can find. I never ever found anything so comprehensive as this book. Whether you're an expert or a novice, this book is for you - anyone can understand it. Finally something is on the market that digs deeper than generalities and provides the details you need to manage your illness, help identify your symptoms, and reassure you in ways few Doctors can. Its a SUPER BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: GET IT!!
Review: My Rheumatolgist recommended this book and I finally took his advice. This is the most comprehensive, easy to understand book on lupus I have ever read.. AND most importantly, it is not depressing. I feel empowered after reading this book. The section on lab results is very informative..I would recommend this to anybody curious about lupus.
Rating:
Summary: The Lupus Book: A Guide for Patients & Their Families
Review: Outstanding book! I was diagnosed with Lupus over 10 years ago. I have read many books and pamphlets about Lupus. This book is actually understandable. It has helped me tremendously to understand and deal with this disease.
| 
