Sjogrens-Syndrome Books

I was diagnosed with Sjogrens this past year and have read pretty much every resource available. If you want a comprehensive guide in a very succinct, very straight forward, easy to read format, this book is for you. Truly. This book has what all the others have but gets straight to the point.

This book is an excellent practical guide for people with Sjogren's Syndrome. It offers a good balance of medical information and everyday coping techniques. For many of us simply understanding all of the many facets of the condition and then finding medical help has been a long battle. Sue Dauphin's book opens with a few stories(including her own) of people with Sjogren's Syndrome. As I read about people who had struggled as I have with Sjogren's, I immediately enjoyed the book simply because it is comforting to realize you're not alone. The book follows with a definition of Sjogren's and then has a long, thorough chapter discussing symptoms. I was amazed to discover that some of the medical problems I'd been having that I had been told were not related to my Sjogren's, in fact were part of the condition. Perhaps knowing this will help with my treatment. The book goes on to discuss immunology, diagnostic techniques, treatment options and coping mechanisms. All of the information is clearly written. The tone of the book is friendly and easy to understand even when discussing the most technical medical aspects of the syndrome. It includes information on support resources including addresses of support agencies such as The Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation and the National Sjogren's Syndrome Association. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with Sjogren's or to loved ones of Sjogren's patients. It really helps you understand Sjogren's and gives you many suggestions for coping. I wish I had had this book years ago when I first discovered I had Sjogren's.

This book has been a real help in opening my eyes to the broad implications of Sjogren's Syndrome. When I was first diagnosed with Sjogren's, I was pretty relieved -- relieved that there was an explanation for was all of the previously inexplicable and seemingly unconnected symptoms I'd been suffering -- repeated corneal abrasions, painfully dry eyes, inability to eat anything with so much of a drop of Tabasco, constant thirst despite constantly drinking water, cracked lips. And in the big world of diseases, heck, this one didn't seem so bad. I bought this book, flipped through it, but didn't get much benefit.

It was not until I had met with the rheumatologist several times that the diagnosis became troubling -- troubling to realize that medications didn't cure all, troubling to realize that I'd have to deal with this condition for the rest of my life and I really needed to figure out how best to do that. The doctor told me that the condition is really a gift that prompts many folks to seek balance in their lives.
At that point, I pulled the book out & read it from cover to cover, trying to learn as much as possible about the disease. There are chapters on dry eyes, dry mouth/nose/throat, extraglandular involvement, pain & fatigue, emotional toll, medications, nutrition, and special conditions, such as disability. Throughout, the focus of the book is to help you achieve a good quality of life.

My initial inclination about Sjogren's was to try to dismiss it as "no big deal" and not try to blame every physical malady I experience on Sjogren's. After reading through this book, though, I now realize that Sjogren's can impact nearly every part of your body in one way or another, and failing to recognize that can make it difficult to fix the problems. This book also emphasizes the importance of finding the right health care team and ensuring that you work with them and share information to get the best care. After reading this book, I realized that I had a number of eye- issues that were clearly Sjogren's-related. Although I'd been to opthalmologists for corneal abrasions, it was not until I found an opthalmologist who specializes in autoimmune disorders that the underlying issues were ever addressed. After reading this book and coming to understand Sjogren's better, I have (1) found the right doctors and (2) been much more forthcoming with these folks about my symptoms and condition. I'm much more willing to consider that Sjogren's may be affecting me in ways I don't yet realize. I'm also more willing to share the diagnosis with others, in part to increase awareness about the condition and in part to explain why I try never to be without my water bottle.

This is a good, comprehensive guide to all things Sjogren. I found it to be very readable (on my second effort). I think it's particularly useful for helping newly-diagnosed patients understand (and not underestimate) the breadth and possible impact of the disease.

This book is okay. I find this book to be quite technical in the way it was written. I at times would get bored with some parts of the book. Some of the stories that were in this book gave me a lot of encouragement. I now know that I am not alone.

This was a very insightful and practical guide to not only treating this disease, but many others as well. Doctors are not mind readers, nor are they infallible. They need to have patients cooperate with them, and provide them with as much insightful information as possible in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Patients should not rely on the doctor to have all the answers, and frequently, will not, if there is meaningful information left from his or her view. This book reminds us all that we are responsible for our own health, and the doctor is there to help us along that path only if we allow them. It is up to each of us, as patients, to be forthright, and open with our problems, concerns, and illnesses. We must forever be mindful that today's health system does not encourage lengthy visits with physicians; hence, we should come prepared, equiped, and aware of our bodies and how our health is being impacted by whatever our conditions may be. This book gently but firmly reminds us of our responsibilities to take charge of our own bodies and of our interrelationships with our doctors. Bravo on a book well done, indeed.

This book is a valuable resource for anyone who is facing the challenges of a Sjogren's diagnosis. The authors address both the newly diagnosed patient and those who have been coping with this chronic illness for many years. Their advice on choosing a doctor and forming a partnership with her is wonderful and, I believe, critical to the physical and emotional well being of the chronically ill patient. I hope physicians will read the book. The authors' insights into the frustrations of treating patients with incurable but manageable illnesses are lessons for both patients and physicians.

If you have been recently diagnosed with Sjogren's or if you are struggling with complicated symptoms which doctors can't diagnose, you must read this book. The medical information is clear and easy to understand but thorough. The authors will help you navigate the complex medical community.

For those who have been living with Sjogren's for many years "A Body out of Balance" reinforces the goal of having the best possible quality of life. The authors give the reader tools to help achieve that goal.

"A Body out of Balance" will touch you. You will be grateful that finally someone understands what you've been going through. You will also be grateful because someone is offering help and hope.

I also now suffer from Sjogren's Syndrome, and this book is more of a day to day, practical application type book.I was able to see some detailed information, including a break down of the different symptoms.

I bought this book at the urging of a relative who has the syndrome. I dound that it did not really apply to me. I have a touch of dry eye but do not fit the rest of the profile so actually for me it was a waste of money. For a person who does have sjogren's though it is probably an excellent book.

I would give this book THREE STARS for a layperson and FIVE STARS for a health care professional -- the four star rating is a compromise. I don't think this is the best book about Sjogren's for someone without a medical background. This book is a compilation of articles or chapters, each written by different health care practitioners, about topics that relate to Sjogren's. Because of the format and the variety of contributors, the book comes across as an academic journal, with the writing directed to other health care practitioners as much as Sjogren's patients. For eample, sections on "A Genetic and Immunologic Perspective" of Sjogren's and detials on "Blood Tests, Imaging, Biopsies, and Beyond" were probably a little beyond the reach of a typical Sjogren's patient. Sjogren's has significant implications in pregnancy -- that's important -- but the section in which those issues are addressed -- "Adjunctive Measures, Comorbidities, and Reproductive Issues in Sjogren's" is a little over my head. Likewise, in discussing one of the most critical issues Sjogren's patients face, dry mouth, the text discussed the "importance of adequate hyrdration of the oral cavity" -- and then went on to discuss, in many more (and bigger) words why it is important to drink water. That academic tone is present throughout the book.

There's plenty of useful information here -- and it may well be a useful reference to have on your bookshelf, to supplement what's already in your library about Sjogren's, or to share with a physician. However, if you are looking for something that explains Sjogren's in layman's terms and provides practical day-to-day tips on coping, this is probably not the best choice. I've had this (and a couple of other Sjogren's books) for about two years now; unlike the others, this one rarely comes off the bookshelf.

I purchased this book (by Daniel Wallace) and The Sjogren's Syndrome Survival Guide by Teri P Rumpf. I preferred this one as it was more comprehensive, although still written for non professionals. I found it to be a good basic resource.

this book is an excellent and detailed look at Sjogren's effect on all body systems. The appendix at the back that lists all the products that help you cope with dry eye, dry mouth, etc is worth the price of the book.

I recommend this to anyone who has been diagnosed with Sjogren's. Lot's of practical advice.

This was definitely a helpful book to me--I'm a nurse & I understood what all was being explained. But I also now suffer from Sjogren's Syndrome, ane I really had in mind a more day to day, practical application type book. It was just a lot more scientific than I expected. I would never have bought it had I look through it first.

If you knew nothing about Sjogren's this would be the book for you. I had read about this syndrome online so it really didn't tell me anything I didn't already know.

This is a good book for readers who need basic information about Sjogren's Syndrome. For those who have read the information on Internet sites such as Johns Hopkins, NIH, and Mayo Clinic, there isn't much more to add to that free medical information. This book does have useful information about dealing with the emotional consequences of Sjogrens that those sites don't offer, and it may be helpful for those who seek guidance in that area. The type face is fairly large and easy read, so great for senior readers. I thought much of the self help advice to be basic common sense and things the Dr has already suggested. There is a resource section with useful addresses, but as the book is now 5 years old, the addresses and phone numbers may need updating.

This book was a great source of information.It was wonderful and patient friendly.After being given a diagnosis of Sjogren's Syndrome, I really didn't know what it meant,but after reading this book it made a lot of things clearer.This is a must read for anyone with this syndrome.My money was well spent.

Purchased this book for my Mother who was diagnosed with Sgogren's Syndrome, a disease we had never heard of. It helped us understand. Easy to read and understand.

I was recently diagnosed with Sjogrens and have now read most of the books out there. This one, while good with the emotional issues of dealing with a chronic illness, is severely lacking if you are looking for treatment options. Yes, it provides the standard treatments for dry eyes and dry mouth (as do pretty much all of the sources out there) but if you have any additional manifestations whatsoever (especially extraglandular issues) you will find no help here. Yes, it does tell you that Sjogrens can affect your lungs, for example, but it goes no further than that (no treatments to pursue, no suggestions whatsoever). There are much better books for your money (for the most comprehensive quick-read try Positive Options for Sjogrens Syndrome by Sue Dyson).

Do not buy this book. It's so short and totally worthless. It does not provide any new, useful ideas. Everything in it is readily available on any web site and totally basic. Just don't buy this book. It's a total waste of money.