BOOKS WE RECOMMEND
Please get these books from your local library first, read them, and if they resonate with you - only then, buy them! Since many of us are on reduced incomes due to the debilitating nature of FMS, we can't afford the luxury of buying all the books there are on the market these days (Amazon.com alone lists over 110 books on Fibromyalgia for sale)
Just a Note: If you have read any new books on FMS/CFIDS, chronic illness or chronic pain that have been helpful to you, please let the webmaster know at fibromightseattleite@yahoo.com so that they may be included here. 
(This list is alphabetical, and the order they're listed in is not a recommendation. Some of my favorites are highlighted in purple.)
Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue: Insights from Practitioners and Patients by Mari Skelly & Andrea Helm Consists of interviews with many experts from numerous fields treating FMS, as well as stories from people living with FMS and their experience with those treatments.
Beyond Chaos: One Man's Journey Alongside His Chronically Ill Wife by Gregg Piburn A great book for all family members, friends and sufferers of any chronic illness, but written by the husband of a fibromyalgia sufferer.
Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Survival Guide by Devin Starlanyl, M.D. & Mary Ellen Copeland, M.S., M.A. Considered the Fibro bible by many Fibro Folk. Includes quite a bit of information on MPS, which may or may not be of use to FMS sufferers.
Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Approach. What you can do about Chronic Pain and Fatigue by Miryam Ehrlich Williamson An excellent book about the basics written from the viewpoint of someone living with FMS. (The very first book I ever read about FMS, so a sentimental favorite.)
Fibromyalgia for Dummies by Roland Staud & Christine Adamec If you've read any of the "Dummies" series, you know they approach the subject with humor, while giving comprehensive coverage of the subject. This book is no different, and is my new favorite FMS book.
Fibromyalgia: Managing the Pain by Mark J. Pellegrino, M.D. As a physician and physiatrist (rehabilitation specialist), Mark is especially qualified to help us understand the syndrome and manage the pain. Mark is internationally known in the field of fibromyalgia. This book offers the basics anyone needs to understand the condition, and is a must-read for family members and friends who want to learn about fibro.
Fibromyalgia: The New Integrative Approach: How to Combine the Best of Traditional and Alternative Therapies by Milton Hammerly, M.D. Balanced commentary, easy to read, wealth of information. A great resource for just about anything you might want to try in your journey to getting better!
Fibromyalgia: Simple Relief Through Movement by Stacie L. Bigelow, M.A. Written by an health educator who also has fibro, this book is a helpful resource for including activity (and eventually exercise) into your life. She explains why traditional exercises aren't right for persons with fibro, and explains in a matter-of-fact way how to slowly incorporate exercise into your program. We've all been told that exercise will improve our fibromyalgia, and Stacie explains how to make that happen. Read the part on page 112 called "Thinking about Change" before diving into the rest of the book, or you might get so enthusiastic about what she's saying that you end up hurting yourself like I did.
Fibromyalgia - Up Close and Personal by Mark J. Pellegrino, MD A group member writes: An AWESOME book with questions about almost all FMS curiosities
Food Allergies and Food Intolerance: The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment by Jonathan Brostoff and Linda Gamlin Helped me tremendously to identify what was keeping me sick and what foods I need to avoid to keep me well. Dr. Brostoff offers a three-stage approach that is very helpful in identifying what food and drink substances can be affecting you negatively. It took me several tries before I was willing to fully do this, but it's made a world of difference.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fibromyalgia by Lynne Matallana, president and co-founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association. The latest title in this popular series of books, this guidebook offers information about fibromyalgia, basic and beyond, for patients and their loved ones.
Taking Charge of Fibromyalgia: A Self-Management Program for Your Fibromyalgia Syndrome, New Edition by Julie Kelly, M.S., R.N., & Rosalie Devonshire, M.S.W., Thomas J. Romano, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, FACR, ed. Very easy to understand, includes a lot of information in a comprehensive workbook.
Taking Control of TMJ: Your Total Wellness Program for Recovering from Tempromandibular Joint Pain, Whiplash, Fibromyalgia, and Related Disorders by Robert O. Uppgaard DDS A helpful book if you suffer from TMJ. This guy really understands FMS and the TMJ connection.
The Fibromyalgia Advocate: Getting the Support You Need to Cope with Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome by Devin Starlanyl, M.D. Includes information for all members of your health care team, as well as information you need to fight for your rights, including disability filing.
The Fibromyalgia Help Book: Practical Guide to Living Better with Fibromyalgia by Jenny Fransen, R.N. & I. Jon Russell, M.D., Ph.D. A How-to guide that gives practical tools for effectively managing FMS.
Your Personal Guide to Living Well with Fibromyalgia, an Official Publication of the Arthritis Foundation This is the book used by the AF's six week Fibromyalgia Self-Help Course.
Note: If you're wondering why some of the other very good books are not listed here, I'll include some of my rationale for selection. 1.) Books that are too technical, while helpful for the medical community, are usually beyond the scope of the typical fibro reader. 2.) Books that are going to require you to take copious quantities of vitamins or other treatments are probably going to break the bank of typical fibro folk, at least in my support group, and for that reason they are not in my Favorites list. 3.) Some writers "get it" about FMS and others don't. If I find myself disagreeing with what they're writing over 10% of the time I begin to suspect they don't get it. No matter how good their medical expertise, I live in this body 24/7 and will not allow my personal experience to be minimalized or marginalized.
If you have other criteria, please let me know. I'll be happy to consider your suggestions.
VIDEOS/DVDS/CDS WE RECOMMEND
Fibromyalgia exercise program. Part 1, Stretching co-produced by The Oregon Fibromyalgia Education Research Foundation & The National Fibromyalgia Research Association. An exercise leader and three patients demonstrate a complete stretching program which was developed specifically for people with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia Interval Training developed by Arthritis Foundation, this videotape is an advanced aquatic program designed to help manage pain, stiffness & fatigue. Features exercises in deep and shallow water in an interval training format.
Yoga for Healing (DVD) by Sarah Bates. The cover reads, "Therapeutic Yoga can relieve stress, fatigue, chronic pain, Fibromyalgia--and transform your life."
To Light A Candle--Meditations for Difficult Times by Sarah Bates (CD) - has 5 different meditations on it--1. how to prepare for meditation, 2. Yoga relaxation, 3. for peace during pain, 4 Tibetan Bells, 5. for restful sleep. [Connie from Whidbey writes: Sarah has lived with completely debilitating Fibromyalga and there is a section on her DVD where she goes through her whole story of being bedridden to becoming a certified Yoga instructor. Hearing her tell her own story is very inspiring. Working through the Yoga DVD, that starts with just breathing, then moves on to bed/mat yoga and leads one through increasing gentle movement makes me feel, on my worst of days/weeks/months, that I CAN still move. The meditations are great even when you can't move, or you need time just to "be," or you really need help in sleeping. Information on ordering the above is available through Sarah's web site at www.downwarddogproductions.net] I Remember Me is an informative and moving documentary about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by filmmaker Kim Snyder who covers her own story dealing with CFIDS as well as several others' stories, including Olympic soccer star Michelle Akers and award winning director Blake Edwards. What struck me about this film is how in so many instances (particularly when talking with doctors and researchers) you could just substitute the word Fibromyalgia for Chronic Fatigue. [My personal favorite quote is when Michelle Akers is talking about the absurdity of the name "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" and she says something like "You wouldn't call Cancer 'Big Tumor' disease."]
LOCAL RESOURCES
The Arthritis Foundation Washington/Alaska chapter offers other local programs including Warm Water Aquatic Programs and support groups, as well as many educational brochures about items that may be of interest to you. Contact them at: Arthritis Foundation Washington/Alaska Chapter, 3876 Bridge Way N., #300, Seattle WA 98103 or call 206-547-2707. Tell them the services for which you would like more information. LINK TO FREE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION BOOKLETS YOU CAN ORDER http://afstore.arthritis.org/AFConsumerStore/SearchByTreeAction.do?nocache=OGsyYY7dmJfcO_sswizsF53&tree=PRI&categorySelect=0200&categoryExpand=0200
Group Health Cooperative offers Living Well With Chronic Conditions Workshops available to anyone (not just members). Workshops meet for six weekly sessions, each lasting two and a half hours and is for those who have any chronic illness, including chronic pain such as fibromyalgia. Workshop participants are encouraged to attend with a spouse or caregiver. Workshop topics include: managing pain, eating well, designing your own exercise program, managing medications, working with your health care team, setting goals, setting priorities, problem-solving, relaxing and managing stress. For more information, call: 206-326-3140
Focus On Healing movement & exercise class provided at Seattle Athletic Clubs and Bellevue Place Clubs free of charge. Originally designed for breast cancer survivors this stretching, movement and exercise class gets you moving in a gentle way and is beneficial for seniors and individuals with chronic health conditions who want to stay fit. Seattle Athletic Club (Northgate) Tuesdays 4:00 -5:00 p.m., Seattle Athletic Club (Downtown) Thursdays 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. For information call Barbara Miller, CLM 206-433-1111, ext. 296. Bellevue Place Club Fridays 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. For information call Claudia Cheyne-Cook, CLM, CLMI 206-933-2472.
