Neuropathy Book Reviews

These very useful book reviews are taken from the website of a Neuropathy Support Network (see link below)which is a Florida-based Limited Liability Company, dedicated to actively supporting patients, care givers and families affected by all forms of Peripheral Neuropathy. Assuming all books are still in print, they should be available from the usual internet book selling organisations. It is difficult finding the author of the reviews but visiting the website may clarify matters.

Peripheral Neuropathy: When the Numbness, Weakness, and Pain Won't Stop (American Academy of Neurology)
by Dr. Norman Latov, MD PhD published 2007 under the American Academy of Neurology Quality of Life Guide series in 2007.

Here is a book that provides the patient with insight into the broad spectrum of the types, causes, and treatments for all the neuropathies. No patient suffering from any neuropathy should fail to read this book as a beginning point in understanding the what, why, how and where of their disease. This knowledge in the hands of the patient provides them insights that are invaluable in increasing their skill in enhancing the patient-doctor partnership as the patient seeks a diagnosis and treatment for their condition. It should become the Bible for any neuropathy patient for it provides both affirmation and encouragement for their walk with an all too often confusing illness.

Numb Toes and Aching Soles
by John A. Senneff - This significant book on Peripheral Neuropathy is one of the earliest patient books written and was published in 1999.

Unfortunately early in my journey to obtain help, I was not aware of this book, but read it late in my journey. It is the most patient friendly book ever offered on the subject. There are many strong points in the book, not the least being that it was reviewed and recommended by numerous neurologists and avoids a lot of technical terms and language that makes other books difficult for many patients to understand.

Written by a retired lawyer with neuropathy, the book speaks the language of one who has “walked the walk and can talk the talk.” Another very strong point is the large consideration of alternative medicine in the treatment of neuropathy symptoms and causes especially given the often limited options in conventional medicine. The book speaks highly of the mission and work of The Neuropathy Association and I highly recommend it to patients as one that they must read.

You Can Cope with Peripheral Neuropathy: 365 Tips for Living a Full Life
by Marguerite (Mims) Cushing (Neuropathy Patient) and Dr. Norman Latov, MD, PhD, published 2009.

Many patient ideas to choose from patients who have walked the walk AND can talk the talk. Something here may work for you providing simple relief.

Mims states in her book that we are “connected by common neuropathy dilemmas: Insufficient awareness, demeaning attitudes, and too little useful advice.” This is why the book contains over 365 ideas – one for every day of the year – ideas from the patients who know best – “for living a better life” – while coping with a chronic neuropathy.

The personal stories written by many patients of neuropathy will inspire and educate you about this often confusing disease and the public attitudes which often do a disservice to these patients. Yet it is a book about overcoming the obstacles and unhelpful attitudes with skills we all have available to us. This book is a must read for patients.

Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy: How to handle stress, disability, anxiety, fatigue, depression, pain, and relationships.
by Dr. Scott I. Berman, MD (Psychiatrist and neuropathy patient).

Outstanding insights that only a brilliant psychiatrist with neuropathy could see as he links the practical aspects with his insights into the psychological dynamics of the human condition. He makes the psychological practical and usable for all who suffer from neuropathy.

All profits from this book are donated to the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital in Allentown, PA, where they care for many children and adults with neurological illnesses. For more information about them, visit www.goodshepherdrehab.org or call 1-888-447-3422.

Dr. Berman developed untreatable CIDP when he was 40 years old. It turned his life upside down and he writes from a perspective of a patient who has been there using his skill as patient and doctor to provide invaluable insight into the many emotional and relational challenges we face. This book provides a great foundation for applying many of the 365 ideas found in Cushing’s book. It is again a must read for patients.

Numb Toes and Other Woes
by John A. Senneff

This is the second of John’s books and not only updates some information in the first book; this volume adds important new information for patients. As with the first book, it is patient friendly because it is written in the language of a neuropathy patient who suffered for many years, containing insights that many physicians have benefitted from in their practice treating neuropathy patients. It is highly recommended reading.

The Two Kinds of Decay
by Sarah Manguso (A neuropathy patient).

A neuropathy patient shares her memoir from the real world of the patient in words beaming with the raw honesty of unpolished realism, humor inspired by places, people and experiences while spreading realistic hope which neuropathy patients will appreciate.

Whatever type of “pod” people (neuropathies assumed causes) you have been invaded with, you will identify with many of her experiences while learning to laugh at life’s ironies. Sara brings great humor to her writing, humor springing out of the frustrations and successes of modern medicine and the complex skilled and unskilled humans who come to the place we live.

Hope in people explodes as Sarah writes of a touching episode of the developer of a new medical machine and during his visit she shared the wonderful things the machine was doing for her and when he left the room bursting with unspoken joy over his invention, he returned giving her a banquet of flowers. I cried happiness.

She ends the book with “This is suffering’s lesson: pay attention. The important part might come in a form you do not recognize.” If you are a neuropathy patient struggling as we all do with the experience, reaching for hope somewhere and the loss and gaining of meaning, you will love this book.

Peripheral Neuropathy: A Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Management
Dr. Didier Cros, M.D. Editor, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins published 2001

Here is a doctor who knows that symptoms must be heard at face value, not waiting until the damage is done and measurable. He understands the critical importance of the doctor patient relationship as a partnership that begins first in active listening and effective communication. This book should be available at most large local medical libraries.

http://www.neuropathysupportnetwork.org/neuropathy-resources.htm