Books
The following books are suggested reading for persons with MS and others interested in the various aspects of this neurological disease. These publications present personal opinions, experiences and information, which are not necessarily endorsed by the MS Society of Ireland.
Aaseng, Nathan - Multiple Sclerosis
Aaseng has written quite a lot of books on health topics for young readers in particular. This book deals with a lot of aspects of MS. It tells also about well known movie stars, singers and politicans from the USA who have the disease themselves, and how it affects their lives. Franklin Watts USA (2000). ISBN 0-531-11531-3.
Balfour, Susan - Release Your Stress
Is a clear sighted guidebook for anyone dealing with a hectic lifestyle or life-changing event.
This book offers practical advice on coping with the unpredictability of MS and tackling day to day problems. Available from Murlyn Direct Sales, Tel 0044 1279 427203. Vermilion Publications (1999). ISBN 0091813611
This is a very valuable book written by a senior Physiotherapist in the UK for people with MS who want to help themselves keep fit and try to off-set some of the conditions such as fatigue and spasms.
This book provides accurate and unbiased information on a wide range of complementary and alternative medicine. The author, a medical director at an MS Centre in Colorado, offers unconventional options that may provide symptomatic relief when conventional therapies are limited. Demos Medical Publishing New York (2001). ISBN 1-888799-52-8
This unique guide provides concise summaries of all dietary supplements used in treating MS. Each summary covers all you need to know about the supplement, including its efficacy in treating MS, possible side affects and dosages. Its simple structure makes it an ideal reference book.
This comprehensive resource examines all aspects of the care of the person with MS. Whurr Publishers (2002). ISBN 1861562977
This is a frank and practical book written by a practising psychiatrist who has MS. It provides an insight into MS and the effect it has on personal feelings and social relationships. Published by Souvenir Press (1991). ISBN 0-285-65018-1
Carroll, David L - Living Well with MS, A Guide for Patient, Caregiver and Family
Living well with MS gives general information about MS and is in particular meant to help people cope with the disease. The book carefully addresses questions like diagnosis and prognosis. Probably because the book is already a bit older, it has little or no information about new treatment but is a useful book. Harper Perennial (1993). ISBN 006 096 980-6
This book is written specifically for those individuals who have or are developing progressive MS. It focuses on ways not only to manage the progressive disease and its symptoms but also to cope with the life changes that may accompany it. Demos Medical Publishing New York. ISBN 1-888799-46-3
Dr Dietz shows you that life offers joy as well as the responsibility to live it right. Page after page, she shows you how to make the most of life while weathering challenges, illnesses and disabilities. ISBN 1-888799-48-X
Ettinger, B. Allen - The Essential Patient Handbook - Getting The Health Care You Need From Doctors Who Know.
This book will educate you on becoming involved in your own healthcare, as well as how to work with your physicians to get the best medical care possible. ISBN 1-932603-02-6
Fishman, Loren - Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis
This book starts out with a straight forward introduction to Yoga and then introduces the reader to a variety of yoga poses which work toward the common goals of combating fatigue, reducing spasticity and increasing range of motion. ISBN 1-932603-17-4. Published Autumn 2005.
This book shows how easy it is to follow a diet designed to help people with MS. Published by Thorsons (1996)
Graham, Judy - MS, The Self Help Guide
This book provides suggestions on managing your health, including ideas on diet, nutritional supplements, physiotherapy, exercise, yoga and a variety of alternative therapies, plus a useful booklist. Published by Thorsons (1992). ISBN 0722527772
Judy Graham has had MS for more than 26 years and gave birth for the first time at age 38, using the lastest medical research. Graham answers in this book all the questions someone with MS may have about pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. Healing Arts Press Vermont (1999). ISBN 9-780892-817887
Halper, June - Advanced Concepts in Multiple Sclerosis Nursing Care
This book provides practical advice on dealing with the physical and lifestyle challenges of MS while achieving wellness. Experts discuss topics such as symptoms, exercises, stress, sexuality, complementary therapies and general health. Helpful diagrams and step by step instructions are included. PVA Publishing, PO Box 753, Walerof, Maryland 2064, USA. ISBN 0-929819-09-08
This books gives readers the information to prepare for their journeys and is essential reading for every traveler with mobility limitations. ISBN 1-932603-09-3
This book provides an up-to-date comparison of the treatment options available for MS. Butterworth-Heinemann Publishing (2000). ISBN 075064270
ISBN 1-888799-62-5
Holland, Murray and Reingold - Multiple Sclerosis, A Guide for Newly Diagnosed
Written specifically for anyone who has just been diagnosed with MS as well as family members and friends. Demos Medical Publishing (2002). ISBN 1888799609
Joy, Janet E & Johnston Richard B - Multiple Sclerosis, Current Status & Stategies for the Future (2001)
This report is more than 400 pages and is a result of a request from the Society of Medicine (IOM) for guidance in developing a strategic plan to direct future investments in MS research. A multidisciplinary committee convened by the IOM in response to this request was charged to review current knowledge of all aspects of MS and to recommend strategies that might push MS research most effectively.
National Academy Press - www.nap.edu ISBN 0-309-07285-9
Kalb, Rosalind C - Multiple Sclerosis, The Questions You Have, The Answers You Need.
Covers a wide range of topics in a question and answer format that is readily accessible and easily understood. 3rd Edition. Demos Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-932603-05-0
This question and answer format book deals with the cause and course of MS, symptom management, emotional health, social issues and treatments. Dr Kraft is particularly interested in alternative therapies, wellness and fitness.
Demos Medical Publishing, www.demosmedpub.com ISBN 1-888799-26-9
ISBN 1-888799-68-4
Lander, David L - Fall Down Laughing, How Squiggy Caught MS and didn't tell nobody (2000)
Fall Down Laughing is a humorous account of Lander's struggle with MS - from a search for a cure (removing my dental fillings didn't work) to flimsy spur-of-the-moment excuses to producers (limp, what limp?) to his decision in 1999 to go public with his illness. His success at developing a film and TV career while hiding the truth is an astonishing testament to his strength to prove that those with MS can still enjoy a challenging life.
Penguin Putnam Inc. ISBN 1-58542-052-2
This book is about an 8 year old boy whose mum has MS. The book is his story about living with his mum and how MS impacts on their lives. The book looks at interactions with friends and family and life changes they all encounter. ISBN 3-8339-0460-7
Disabled people have emerged from the shadows and back rooms of our institutions, upping the ante on demands for an inclusive society. "Claiming Disability" captures this moment in this comprehensive examination of disability studies as a field of inquiry. This book offers a passionate challenge to status quo definitions of disability and a methodology for re-examining it.
New York University Press. www.nyupress.nyu.edu ISBN 0-8147-5134-2
This book tells the story of how one woman with MS has stumbled on what she believes to be a curative treatment of MS. This book does not reveal "Cari's Cocktail". Published by Century 1996
Mackie, Carole & Brattle, Sue - Me and My Shadow, Learning to Live with MS (1999)
Carole Mackie is a young woman in Rio on the job of her dreams as a stewardess, with a boyfriend she loves dearly. Two weeks later she is flown home in a wheelchair after diagnosis with multiple sclerosis. This book tells the story of Carole's struggle to learn to live with this shattering blow.
Aurum Press London. ISBN 1-85410-627-9
There are readers who need, for a tangle of reasons, to be told that a life commonly held to be insufferable can be full and funny, comments Nancy Maris. "I'm living the life. I can tell them." Severely disabled by multiple sclerosis, surrounded by husband, collegues, friends and grown children, Mairs shares the richness of her outer world and her inner journey.
Beacon Press Boston MA. ISBN 0-8070-7086-6
This book should enlighten the load for anyone giving or receiving care at home.
ISBN 0-966476-73-5
ISBN 1888799803. Published 2004. Demos Medical Publishing Inc.
Neilson, Dr. S, Robinson I, Rose Dr F C - Multiple Sclerosis at your fingertips.
This book provides a clearly written explanation of the medical aspects of MS, as well as touching on practical day to day issues.
An intimate protrait drawn from the email chats of a group of special women. The members of the group share intimate, emotional accounts of their experiences with MS. Some stories are painful, some are funny, and often they are both. Topics like the work place, sexuality, depression, loss of bladder and bowel control are discussed freely and frankly.
Hunter House Publishers, Alameda CA. www.hunterhouse.com ISBN 0-89793-218-8
O' Connor, Paul - Multiple Sclerosis: The Facts You Need (1998)
Dr O' Connor is the director of the MS Clinic at the University of Toronto and chief of the Division of Neurology at St. Michaels Hospital. His book will be helpful to those with MS and their families. The information is written in a clear and concise manner including leading edge scientific data. The book offers practical hands-on as well as medical advice.
Key Porter Books Ltd, 70 The Esplanade, Toronto, Ontario. ISBN 1-55263-028-5
Polman, Chris & Thompson, Alan J & Murray, TJ & McDonald, W - Multiple Sclerosis, A Guide to Treatment and Management (5th edition)
A guide with a broad diversity of treatment options in MS. This edition covers both a detailed discussion for each therapy in current use and an opinion statement on its usefulness and effectiveness by the Medical Management Committee of the International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies.
Demos Medical Publishing New York. ISBN 1-888799-54-4
Sayer, Penny & Young, Evelyn - My Mum's Got MS
This book covers how to deal with specific symptoms of MS. The purpose of this book is to assist people with MS, their families and friends to cope more effectively and have a better understanding of MS.
Demos Medical Publishing 2003. ISBN 1-888799-78-1
Published by MS Resource Centre, 4a Chapel Hill, Stansted, Essex MC24 8AG
This book gives details of the most frequently used treatment for MS including drugs, diet and surgery. A good factual guide for people with MS and their families.
ISBN 1-888799-23-4
Thomas, Richard - Multiple Sclerosis the Natural Way.
This book describes a variety of safe, gentle and effective natural treatments for MS. Published by Element 1995
ISBN 1-928623-30-1. Published 2000 by First Page Publications.
This total body workout can be done from any sitting position. ISBN 089793-253-6
Wells, Susan Milstrey - A Delicate Balance, Living Successfully with Chronic Illness (1998)
Instead of focusing on a specific illness, this examines the experience of living with a chronic disease through in-depth personal interviews with patients, care providers and family members. Their perspective is candid but hopeful. There is a long road between becoming sick and accepting life with a chronic disease.
Insight Books. ISBN 306-45798-9
Young, William - Migraine and Other Headaches
This essential guide for everyone who suffers from headaches will provide information needed to obtain effective medical care and long-term relief. ISBN 1-932603-03-4
- Bauby, Jean Dominic - The Butterfly and the Diving Bell
- Costigan, Lucy - Irish Guide to Complementary Therapies
- Crompton, S - Carer's Guide
- De Mello, Anthony - Awareness
- Fries, Kenny - Starting Back, The Disability Experience from the Inside Out
- Hay, Louise - You Can Heal Your Life
- Jeffers, Susan - Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
- McCann, C - Falling In Love With Life
- McCann, C - Who Cares
- Mores, P - You and Caring
- Philips/Rakusen, J - Our Bodies, Ourselves