Alternative Medicine and Multiple Sclerosis
by Allen C. Bowling MD, PhD

Review by Helmut Butzkueven, MS neurologist, Melbourne, Australia.

In this book Allen Bowling sets out to inform patients with MS about the various alternative or complementary health strategies available. In the process he helps to bridge the gap that can arise between conventional and complementary medicine, and which can, in some cases, cause patients to conceal from their doctor any complementary treatments they might be taking.

Unfortunately such concealment can result in a complete absence of dialogue and exchange of ideas between those trying to look after people with MS.

In my experience, virtually every person with MS will seek information about complementary therapies offered for their disease. The amount of information on this subject in MS is astounding, and has become universally accessible via the worldwide web. However, the quality of the information varies wildly, and the challenge of evaluating it is usually overwhelming.

The book achieves its primary aim of providing concise and accessible information to people with MS very well, and it also creates a handy and lucid reference for health professionals.

Each topic is organised into several sections including treatment methods, studies in MS, practical information, and side effects. In general, this works fairly well but is a little stretched when trying to describe the side effects of pets, music or spirituality. I found the repeated statements that no large, published clinical studies exist for a particular treatment a little obvious.

Perhaps the book should have given a more direct voice to some of the complementary therapists to explain their philosophies.

This book will be a valuable addition to any MS library. I have already found it very useful and I am sure it will become one of my most frequently used references in patient care.

Publishers:Demos Medical Publishing Inc, USA, 2001.
Price US $39.95. ISBN: 1-888799-52-8
http://www.demosmedpub.com



One particular harbour
by Janet Lee James

Review by Rolande Cutner, Board Member of Ligue Française contre La Sclérose en Plaques and French Representative PwMS International Committe.

This autobiography shows how a profoundly disabled person with MS can live the life she chooses. Highlighting that freedom, with all its joy and heartbreak, is what really matters in the end.

Janet was 23 and beginning a career as a rock ‘n’ roll disc-jockey when she was diagnosed with MS. Hoping she would be one of the vast majority able to lead full and productive lives relatively undisturbed by MS, she took off alone for the wilds of Alaska to fulfil her dream of a life of excitement and adventure. Her penchant for black humour, cold beer and handsome men results in some great tales, leaving you feeling as if Janet is an old friend.

Generally, I avoid books written by other people with MS, as they can be depressing. However, I devoured this book as fast as I could; the pleasure just continued as I read.

Janet’s story is fascinating and honest. I immediately understood Janet’s hopes, fears and regrets; they are also mine. It was as though I became the heroine. As I read anecdote after anecdote, in her vigorous and entertaining style, it became difficult to figure out where Janet ends and I begin. We are both women in love, in fear, in despair, trying to lead full, productive lives. We both left home, work and family to live our dreams.

This is a wonderful read and I recommend it to mature adults experiencing a midlife crisis, young adults bored with life, recriminating teenagers unhappy with what they have, and spoiled retirees complaining about their daily chores. All will benefit greatly from Janet’s story.

Publisher: Excel Press. US $14.95.
ISBN: 0-595-00115-7 http://www.iuniverse.com