You Can Purchase This Book From Amazon

Authors: Nancy J. Holland, EdD, RN, MSCN; T. Jock Murray, MD;

and Stephen C. Reingold, PhD:

ISBN: 13-978-1-932603-27-9

            Try as I might, I could not think of any basic question about multiple sclerosis (MS) that is not addressed in Multiple Sclerosis: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (paperback, 254 pages). The authors have compiled a thorough guide for new patients. MS is described in full as a chronic disease of the central nervous system – the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is the most common serious neurological disease among young adults, so this book has relevance for all too many families.

Authors Holland, Murray, and Feingold have covered the essentials and much more. This third edition is well organized into 11 chapters moving logically from how MS is diagnosed to its possible causes, to the wide range of possible symptoms, to available treatments, to practical guidelines for living with MS and the challenges of employment issues and financial planning,

            People with MS can experience symptoms that include muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, numbness, poor balance, difficulty with walking, blurred vision, and bladder problems. These are effects that can interfere with most activities of daily living. And the severity of symptoms may change over time. For these reasons, the most helpful chapters for new MS patients and their families are probably those that answer questions about day-to-day functioning: How much sleep and exercise will be beneficial? How do I cope with hot weather? How can we deal with stress?  Do I need to change my diet? Will MS affect our sex life? And what about pregnancy?

The chapters detailing possible causes of MS, emerging treatments, and research for the future might be more helpful were the vocabulary directed more to the average reader. Much of those sections will be difficult reading for someone without at least some education in human biology. A glossary at the back of the book covers the major technical terms, but more definitions inserted throughout the text would contribute more to all readers’ comprehension of the subject.

The book also offers authoritative advice on screening MS information for credibility and suggests criteria for considering alternative and complementary medical approaches. It’s not surprising, given the authors’ affiliations, that the MS Society and the peer relationships it offers are suggested as a source of information and support for patients and their families. The volume is well indexed, and appendixes provide a suggested reading list and other resources, including Web sites and relevant agencies for information and assistance.

            The authors bring notable credentials to the work, ensuring the reliability of the book as a whole. All three have worked in the MS field as educators, researchers, and/or clinical care providers for decades, and all hold leadership positions in the MS Society of the United States or Canada.     

The above review was contributed by: Barbara Shine: Barbara is a freelance writer and editor, writing coach, and trainer of victim advocates. She reads and writes in rural Virginia while maintaining a cyber-home.