Table of Contents

1. Fibromyalgia Pain, Chronic Fatigue Immunodysfunction, and Chronic Myofascial Pain from Trigger Points
   All about Fibromyalgia
            Summary Exercise: FM
   Chronic Fatigue Immunodysfunction—The Muster to Master
            Summary Exercise: CFID
   Chronic Myofascial Pain—Nerve to Muscle
            Summary Exercise: CMP
   Chapter Summary: FM/CMP–FM/CFID—Is It a Double Cross?
   Glossary of Terms Introduced in Chapter 1 that Describe Pain
   
   
2. Communicating Your Health Care Needs
   Relating Your Symptoms and Health History
   Identifying Aggravating and Alleviating Factors
   Coexisting Conditions
   Communicating with Your Physician and Other Health Care Providers
            Summary Exercise: Clear Expressions
   Useful Tools for Communicating with Health Care Providers
            Medication Log
            Symptom Inventory Sheet
            Anatomical Diagram of Pain
            Health History Log
   
   
3. Dialogues Within and Without
   Journal Writing: An Internal Dialogue
   Soliciting the Support You Need
            Sample Letter Soliciting Support
   Relationships: Having Them, Keeping Them, and Knowing When to Let Them Go
   Advocacy—A Constructive Way to Vent
            Summary Exercise: Reaction to Interaction
   Useful Tools for Inner and Outer Self-expression
            A Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen Tips for Expressing Your Feelings through Poetry
            Interactive Pain/Energy Meter
            It Takes Two to Tango: Rules for Possibly the Most Important Date in
            Your Relationship
            Sample Advocacy Letter
   
   
4. My Body Is Matter and It Matters
   Understanding and Treating Pain
   Managing Your Diet
   Exercise—Use It or Lose It
   Bodywork—Toiling over the Anatomy
   Medical Specialists and Therapists
   Health and Functionality Therapists
   Chapter Conclusion
            Summary Exercise: Exercising Your Options
   Useful Tools for a Healthy Lifestyle
            Diet Assessment Guide
            Stretches for Every Part of Your Body
   
   
5. The Power of Mind, Body, and Spirit
   Depression—Overcoming the Doldrums
   Spirituality
   Accepting What Is
   Other Paths
   Chapter Conclusion
            Summary Exercise: Expanding Your Options
   Useful Tools for Connecting with Your Spiritual Center
            Breathing Meditation for People with FM, CFID, and CMP
            Guided Meditation for Healing
            New Thoughts on Insomnia
   
   
6. Dealing with Circuit Overload
   Brain Fog—Symptoms of Blowout before a Power Failure
   Time Management—An Exercise in Energy Conservation
   Crisis Management—Dealing with Major Life Events
   Chapter Conclusion
            Summary Exercise: Unloading the Gray Matter
   
   
7. Approaching the System Systematically
   The ADA and the EEOC
   Social Security Disability Determination
   Patient Rights
   Miscellaneous Programs and Help
   Confidentiality and HIPAA
   Chapter Conclusion
   Useful Tools for Navigating the Health Care System
            Interaction Worksheet for Important Calls and Meetings
            Treating Health Care Provider Log
            Chronological Health Record
            Table for Determining Disability Status for Those Limited to Sedentary Work
            Table for Determining Disability Status for Those Capable of Light Physical Work
   
   

Epilogue

Resources for Maximizing Health Care,Relationships, and Emotional Well-being
Glossary of Acronyms
Notes
Index