Meeting the Challenge of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

by Patricia K. Coyle, MD and June Halper, MSN, ANP, FAAN

114 pages including resources; Demos Medical Publishing, 2001

$13.97 Amazon.com (see link below)

Reviewed by LizOP
MSWorld Book Reviewer

Authors Coyle and Harper got my attention with the first sentence:

"We assume that you are reading this book because your physician has told you that the multiple sclerosis (MS) you live with is the progressive form of the disease, and you want to understand more about the nature of progressive disease and its impact on your life."

Real talk. Straight talk. With a disease as complicated as MS, this was refreshing to read.

They never let me down throughout the book. I learned as I enjoyed the read. Even though the book was published in 2001, the authors have a firm grasp of the ever-changing information regarding MS - And our ever-changing bodies and our personal grasp of how MS changes our lives, and the lives of our loved ones.

The authors continue to discuss the diagnosis, disease-modifying therapies, managing symptoms, tools for transition into progressive MS, social and economic issues, coping, gender-related and family issues and finally Taking Care: prevent complications and stay healthy.

Any, or all, of the information is worthy for all people with MS to understand, even if your MS does not progress to this stage. Most of us involved in MSWorld, know at least one person through chat or message boards, who is in the progressive stage of MS. Knowing more inclusive information will help our communication with others with MS.

Chapter 6 talks plainly about how MS can affect our everyday living in regard to job modifications, getting around, using public accommodations, legal rights, housing, filing for disability, health insurance, coping with taxes, and more. Be sure and check the resources at the end of the book to explore these topics in depth.

Another excerpt gives a feel of their style of writing and communicating:

"Multiple sclerosis results in many symptoms, many losses, and numerous changes in one's life. The uncertainty of when and how relapses may occur -- and how fully one will recover -- demands flexibility and an unusual level of coping. The prospect of disease progression presents the person and the family with additional challenges. These challenges can be met with a variety of strategies and supports that are available to those affected by the disease over a lifetime."

To know this, the authors know real people living with MS. This book is worth the read and will be a good reference book if your MS changes.



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