Book Review of The Fibromyalgia Coach

The Fibromyalgia Coach

By Pam Wright

This is not a book that tells you what Fibromyalgia Syndrome is, no lists of symptoms, no lists of medications or magic tricks that will make it go away or cure it forever. What it is, is an immensely accessible and practical book within which Pam takes an holistic attitude, offering a small steps approach with multiple tools to aid us in coming to terms with the many and often conflicting feelings we have about ourselves as people with Fibro. Its aim is not only to offer help in overcoming the sense of loss which many of us experience on diagnosis and beyond, but to assist towards developing a life that is enabling and empowering in terms of managing Fibro successfully.

This book is practical and accessible on every level. The language used contains no jargon thankfully, it is straightforward without being either patronising or condescending, she uses plain English and she gets the balance just right in my view.

The tools given to aid through the process are well thought through and designed for ease of use and understanding. They range from symptom charts aimed at helping the reader deal with GPs, work situations, benefit claims, etc in a clear and factual manner, to the more personal, addressing the person as a whole, not just the person you are with Fibro, and therefore enabling greater understanding of what will help you best as an individual.

Also, at the end of each chapter, she recaps and reviews the skills and action points already learned which I found very useful given that Fibro fog often disables memory.

The approach is very positive without being unrealistic. The goals talked about really are manageable and achievable. It is up to the individual entirely to decide how much or how little they wish to take on at any given time.

Reading it through when I was feeling particularly miserable and being very pessimistic about my future, it helped me feel more positive in that it showed me there are things I can do to help myself to make my experience and, indeed, my daily life better and more manageable. We are often told we have to pace ourselves, this book shows you how by giving exercises and alternatives and does so in a manner which encourages us to cultivate a kind and gentle attitude to self.

Overall I would recommend this book to anyone with Fibro, whether you are recently diagnosed or whether you have been dealing with it for many years.

Review by Jill Sullivan, Fibro sufferer

Pam Wright is a Life Balance and Health Coach and also a Fibro sufferer herself. For more information on Pam Wright or how to buy 'The Fibromyalgia Coach', please see www.amethystaccordlifeservices.com.