I preferred the last edition. It was easier to read than the new revised edition.

Thank you, thank you, Dr Teitelbaum. Here is THE definative work on M.E. CFS & Fibromyalgia.

I have been a sufferer for a great many years and am now well enough to help others in my neuro-therapy clinic. If there is a single book I reach for most often it is this one. The updated 2007 version is outstanding. Thorough, broad ranging, expert, clinically tested treatments that cover the board and are presented in a way which empowers the M.E/CFS sufferer to treat themselves or work with their doctor.

Dr Teitelbaum advocates the SHIN protocol. Actually I would suggest it should be called the SHINE protocol. Here are the stages and what each letter stands for:

S = sleep. Without 8-9 hours of good quality deep sleep a night the body cannot heal. This is the foudnation stone. And Teitelbaum is deadly serious about getting this right. Many pages cover every conceivable issue and long lists of useful supplements and medications to get you there. My sleep was truly awful. I reckoned that no doctor could help it and gave up after a few attempts at sleeping pills (hang-over, side effects, useless etc. But this section of the book gets you back on track. It WILL help you learn how to get back that missing sleep.

H = hormones. They're all discussed here in a rational intelligent way. DHEA, Thyroid, Adrenals, Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone and a few little extras. He is passionate about which hormones need testing and the PROPER tests to do. How to interpret the results, or indeed how to trial the supplements without tests. Which type of each hormone to use, the dosage, the test ranges to aim for, the possible complications, the safety issues (bio-identical hormones are way safer than pharmaceutical ones), where on his website to read more and WHY hormone replacement is so very critical to healing.

I = Immune and Infections. Lots of people with M.E /fibromyalgia have lots of infections. There's a big chapter on how to deal with these - from parasites to bacteria, from viruses to candida. There is an emphasis on natural treatments but he also uses antivirals and antibiotics where indicated. Also an emphasis on getting the immune system back up and running - essentially balancing it out again

N = Nutrition. This is basically why and how to supplement with lots of good nutritional pills. Lots of great discussion on why certain minerals and vitamins are important in M.E - each one discussed in detail and the dosage etc. Although this is the section that is often covered in other books on the disease, Teitelbaums version is superior in my opinion because it is based on experience with tens of thousands of patients and their actual outcomes.

Finally, I think Teitelbaum should add an E to the end of his SHIN protocol and call it SHINE, because
E = Energy. The very first chapter of the book is about how to get the mitochondria - the cells little powerhouse - working again and thereby give your body, your heart and your brain more energy. Essential, of course. The big new thing out there - and Dr T is crazy for it - is D-Ribose. He discusses how much to use, how it is the single most powerful tool in his clinic and what sort. Additionally he advocates Co Q 10, Acetyl L carnitine and Malic Acid/Aspartate for energy.

About half of the book is taken up with the SHINE protocol in a way that is highly user friendly whilst also in depth. The second half is:
a) A serious look at additional treatments for M.E/Fibro out there, including the Shoemacker work on Neurotoxins (an important one), Dr Berg protocol for blood clotting and a BIG section on Pain Relief. He's good on pain. He really gets it and attacks it with vigour and intelligence.
b) Lots of Resources, where to buy stuff, how to diagnose yourself with various sub-groups, internet resources, psychological issues relating to M.E, spiritual (in the broadest sense) support that helps healing, and good usable lists of supplements for various categories.

I cannot praise this book too highly. Dr Teitelbaum and his clinic have conducted the only blind, placebo controlled published study for an integrated medicine approach to M.E/Fibromyalgia. And it was a huge success. He draws on great and deep experience in the field and writes with compassion and understanding. But also with a strong grounding in science and proof of efficacy. There are other approaches out there which make good adjuncts to this one - but if you can only have one then, WITHOUT A DOUBT it should be this book.

Just a few extra tips/resources.

If you do want to follow the natural remedies recommended then there is no better one-step shop for everything you could want than www.iherb.com. There are the cheapest and largest on the net

If you feel you have no choice but to go the pharmaceutical route and feel that you cannot find or afford a doctor who will prescribe for you (I am not advocating this, merely respecting that this is a reality for many) then the best no-prescription pharmacy that I know of on-line is www.internationalpharmacy.com. They have never let down anyone that I know of over the past five years, their stuff is always the real thing and they are extrememly cheap and fast. There is pretty much nothing in the book (medicine wise) which you cannot get yourself from this company. A subsidiary one is www.inhousepharmacy.com.

If this you follow the Teitelbaum progamme really seriously for several months but make no significant progress then I would bet these are you two next best options (they are the areas T is least stong on)
1) Gut involvmet. The gut plays a huge role in immunity, toxicity and even brain health. See "Gut and Psychology Syndrome" on Amazon.
2) Toxins. I do not know of a one stop shop for how to really deal with a toxic overload in the body. But I tend to use those protocols designed for autism - as many autistic children have an immune and central nervous system (CNS) collapse due to toxic overload. And some forms of M.E/CFS/Fibro are essentially just and immune/CNS collapse syndrome.

Finally there are two psychological therapies for CFS in the United Kingdom that have significant effect for many sufferers. The first is Mickel Therapy - check it out on Google or YouTube. The second is Gupta Amygdala retraining. These therapies in NO WAY suggest that CFS/M.E/Fibro is a psychological disease. But rather that processes in the mind affect the body and vice versa.

After some pause writing this I would say that if you have these diseases the first two things in the world that you should do are
a) Buy this book
b) Look up Gupta Amygdala retraining on YouTube. It is pretty much free to view and learn the main bulk of his outstanding work on how deep parts of the limbic system interact with our thoughts and keep the brain and immune system in a state of alarm. Brillian stuff and virtually free.

If you want to take it deeper - or you know you have a toxin issue/lots of neurological symptoms/lots of gut and digestion problems then proceed to

c) Gut and Psychology Syndrome book
d) www.Co-Cure, books on autims esp Healing Childhood Epidemics by Bock on Amazon
c) Look up some of the stuff currently around on chronic Lyme (which often mimics M.E)

But buy this book first and foremost. About 70% of you poor fellow suffers will never need to look any further.

My warm best wishes to you all and best of luck.

A definite must read book for people with connective tissue disease aka fibromyalgia aka chronic fatigue syndrome. This author is a physician that also suffered from fibro and he has implemented vitamins, exercise, and whole foods as a way to improve or cure fibro. Read the book! This author has also written a book entitled "Pain Free 1-2-3" with more information. Buy them both!

Before he was a doctor, Jacob Teitelbaum came down with the mysterious, chronic fatigue syndrome, which many consider a hopeless diagnosis. He was told that it his prognosis was bleak, and for a while even was homeless. He persevered, found a cure for his ailments, and has now become the famous and respected Dr. Teitelbaum.

In this book, he describes the diagnosis, causes of, and treatments for, chronic fatigue sydrome, treatments that return 90% of his patients to work. Unfortunately, many of the diagnosis that Dr. Teitelbaum says cause chronic fatigue, such as severe intestinal infections, heavy metal toxicities, and unusual endocrine problems, etc. are not acknowledged by "mainstream," "establishment," or "corporate" medicine, despite the fact that when treated, people recover...

The choice is yours: chronic disability, or health with Dr. Teitelbaum's regimen.

Although I have given this book five stars in recognition of its vast compendium of helpful information, I regret that this book does go into all too great depth explaining how heavy metals can cause some of the problems Dr. Teitelbaum describes, and how to treat the more severe toxicities. Some doctors who treat the fungal infections Dr. Teitelbaum describes, and are involved in medical research of them, say that they almost never see these infections in people without undue heavy metal burdens, and that removing the heavy metals allows the body to rid itself of the fungal infections (the fungi in question are exceptionally good at absorbing and binding heavy metals.) Heavy metal toxicities are also known to cause the seemingly bizarre endocrine problems Dr.Teitelbaum describes and treats, and to cause mitochondrial dysfunctions, another dysfunction that Dr. Teitelbaum describes and treats. From a patient's point of view it is always preferable to cure rather than treat an illness. Some of these subjects explored in great depth in other books I have reviewed.

Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum came down with the myseterious, and often incurable, chronic fatigue syndrome, was told to abandon all hope, and came back, swinging. This is his book about how treating conditions often overlooked, and yes sometimes even denied, by "mainstream," "establishment," or "corporate" medicine gets people well.

The choice is yours: chronic disability, or health, with Dr. Teitelbaum's regimen.

Although I have given this book five stars for the plethora of helpful information, I do regret that this book does go into all too great depth about how heavy metals can cause such problems, a theory explored in great depth in other books I have reviewed.

Dr Teitelbaum has done an exceptional job writing this book. Since it is so hard for us to read and understand information, he has stated his program with an organized and easy to understand format.

I started his program at one of his clinics three months ago. This book and his program has done for me what no one else could in the last 7 years. I am almost pain free, and able to do a little more each week.

Since Dr Teitelbaum has Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia himself, he has studied, experimented and listened to himself and others. His program has medical facts to back it up, and are explained extremely well in this book. I did not realize how many people were as sick as myself, until I started going to one of his nationwide clinics.

This book is for anyone who has fatiuge, or pain, or who has a loved one with unexplained symptoms that doctors are putting off as a mental disorder. Fibro and Fatigue are real, and Dr Teitelbaum and his staff of doctors have the answers, and will help you every step of the way.

Buying this book has been a God send for me. It has information that I reference all most daily. Good luck with your search to get well, but getting this book is a great first step.

From Fatigued to Fantastic! By Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.

This book could easily have been subtitled: "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, but Were Too Tired to Ask." No need to ask, because as one commercial goes, "It's all in there!" Not only is the coverage comprehensive, it is written with compassion, care, and concern for the person plagued with chronic fatigue and its related syndrome, fibromyalgia.

The core of the book is Dr. Teitelbaum's SHIN protocol. This acronym represents Sleep Issues, Hormonal Support, Infections, and Nutrition. Each of these four important areas of treatment has its own chapter, because he believes these four issues, with symptoms treated simultaneously, are the most crucial to overcoming chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. However, the book goes well beyond these four important points, because Dr. Teitelbaum includes natural remedies and prescription pain relief remedies, weight gain associated with the illnesses, and the mind-body connection in illness. For example, Chapter 10 is called "Am I Crazy?" and one I would recommend reading first if you have any doubts about the reality of CFS/FMS.

Read, learn, and restore your energy.

Good solid understanding / explanation of FMS and Chronic Fatigue. Nutrionally very helpful, however when it came to the hormone treatment my doctor would not consider writing the necessary scripts. I have been following the vitamin regime and hope to feel a difference in the next month for the expensive supplements. This book is a good guide to anyone with FMS / Chronic Fatigue.

If I have learned nothing else from my experiences with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, I have come to understand the need to educate myself about my health issues. Often health care professionals simply don't have the knowledge of how to help my symptoms. Unless they specialize in these conditions, they simply can't keep up with the bulk of current research. Therefore, the onus is on me, as someone dedicated to my good health, to be part of the solution.

For those individuals wanting to educate themselves on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, From Fatigued to Fantastic is a very good resource. It begins with those fundamental questions that we all ask. What are these conditions? What causes them? Why did I get them?

The author then takes the reader deeper into his or her own concerns. Each section lays out particular symptoms, the root of these problems, and what can be done to alleviate these specific issues. I really like that the author sets out a variety of different alternatives. Some involve diet and exercise modification while others involve herbal supplements and/or prescription medication.

Teitelbaum offers a comprehensive look at Chronic Fatigue and Fibromayalgia and then is quite good at covering the treatments from alternative to allopathic which in my opinion is the correct way to look at disease and its treatments. I would rather he never went in to the pharmaceutical products for aiding sleep and pain but for others it is the only answer and must be dealt with.

I've had Fibro for most of my life being diagnosed about 20 years ago. I have read dozens of books on this subject and tried almost everything out there to help myself. I think this book is the easiest to understand about our condition and the program for getting better the most reasonable. I am now into my second week of following the SHIN protocol and have already noticed a difference in my sleep and energy level, without using any of the drugs I had used in the past. Whether or not I continue to improve is something yet to see but this book was very helpful to me and I actually enjoyed reading it.

Dr. Teitelbaum writes in a fashion that easy for us non biology majors to follow yet their is enough details and references to dig deep into further research.

The best news of all is that I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and his SHIN protocol is working for me.

Dr. T braggs a 93% success rate!

Even if you go to a specialist for your condition, the book will help you talk more intelligently with your doctor and "cut to the chase".

This book has loads of information on fibromylgia. However, I don't know very many people that can make that many changes in their everyday life. Plus, it sounds very expensive to take all the supplements advised.

From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum MD, Third Edition.

Most doctors are familiar with Dr. Teitelbaum featured as an eloquent keynote speaker on the medical lecture circuit, dazzling the audience with his encyclopedic knowledge of both conventional and natural medicine. Trained in internal medicine, Jacob Teitelbaum, is a gifted and brilliant medical researcher and clinician. He is also a model for ethical business conduct, because unlike other crass, commercially oriented docs who hide their knowledge or charge for it, Teitelbaum openly shares his medical knowledge with the public and other doctors. All of Teitelbaum's treatment protocols are listed in Appendix G of the book, and are posted on his web site. In addition, all profits from books and nutritional supplements are donated to charity.

The 400 page book is lengthy, and is actually four books in one. Where previous authors have written entire books on each of the four main topics, with the acronym SHIN for Sleep, Hormones, Infections and Nutrition, Teitelbaum combines them all into one large volume which can be used as desk reference on chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

In addition, the book can serve as an introductory text for the open minded MD interested in integrating natural medicine into a conventional medical practice, since sleep disorders, hormonal imbalance, chronic or hidden infections, and nutritional deficiencies are some of the more common reasons to seek medical attention.

This is the third edition of his book, and Teitelbaum has managed to make a great book even better. Those familiar with the work of the Connecticut cardiologist, Steven Sinatra MD, will recognize the triad of D-Ribose, L-carnitine and Co-Enzyme Q-10 mentioned by Teitelbaum to jump start energy in the chronicly fatigued.

Insomnia or poor quality sleep is a major issue for many chronic fatigue sufferers, creating a vicious cycle which perpetuates the disorder. Teitelbaum provides a long list of natural remedies such as L-theanine 5-HTP, L-Tryptophan, Melatonin, and Magnesium, as well as today's prescription drugs for sleep heavily advertised on television.

The Hormonal Support chapter is the meat of the book, with Teitelbaum crediting the landmark work, the Safe Use of Cortisol, by McK Jefferies, and Broda Barnes' work on natural thyroid. To these medical greats, Teitelbaum adds his own unique insights gleaned from years of clinical practice. For example, Teitelbaum finds that most patients need only 5 to 12.5 mg of cortisol, and recommends keeping cortisol dosage below 20 mg per day to avoid adrenal suppression.

Like many other natural medicine docs, Teitelbaum finds bio-identical hormone supplementation important for a successful outcome, and asserts that bio-identicals are safe, a conclusion based on his own clinical experience and medical literature reviews by Kent Holtorf, MD, posted on Teitelbaum's website.

Teitelbaum found that many of his patients had chronic infections of sinuses, urinary tract, prostate, and respiratory system, and had taken multiple courses of antibiotics leading to kill-off of the friendly bacteria in the colon, as well as fungal overgrowth, also called Candidiasis. Teitelbaum credits The Yeast Connection by William Crooks for much of this information which includes a lengthy discussion of anti-fungal drugs and natural remedies for Candidiasis.

The Nutrition chapter covers a detailed program with a complete vitamin, mineral program with recommended dosages, and discusses dietary avoidance of caffeine, alcohol, sugar, white flour and other practical considerations.

My hat is off in admiration and thanks to Jacob Teitelbaum MD, for this third edition of an important book, the definitive work on chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. No doubt, many have benefitted and will continue to benefit from the medical insights in this book. We expect and look forward to a continuing stream of valuable insights in future works as his medical career continues.

Other books recommended are Pain Free 1,2,3 by Jacob Teitelbaum MD, The Safe Use of Cortisol by McK Jefferies, and Adrenal Fatigue by Wilson.

Jeffrey Dach MD

I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue in Sept. There was a lot of information on the Internet but this book seemed to be recommended time and time again. I have felt it very helpful in many ways and have even brought some of the information to my doctor saying I wanted to try some of the supplements, etc, and he was very good about letting me give things a try. There is much yet to be learned about Chronic Fatigue but this book gives us sufferers a place to begin in finding our way back to being "ourselves".

I had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I was ready to give up. When I read the book I was so hopeful, because the author knows what he is talking about. Have been taking some of the nutrition suggested and have much more energy and less pain.

This is my bible...it has been a big help understanding my condition and I recommend it to everyone who suffers from Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia.

First class - written with passion and great sincerity - and accessible to the scientifically educated and lay reader alike ! ...Brilliant ! - It's given me a LOT of hope !! ..

The second edition was good, but the third is even better! The reviews on the book cover say it all and then some. Dr. Teitelbaum's books/website have helped me to understand what I have, while stumbling in the dark searching for answers. It brought a name to symptoms I experienced, without knowing the cause or answer. Dr. T. takes a complicated subject and puts it within reach of professionals and sufferers alike. There isn't a topic left untouched in resolution of this illness. He gives options, not directives and explores all possibilities. He sees the person in all dimensions and provides resources.

Dr. Teitlebaum's basic protocol for restoring energy in the third edition has been titled SHIN (Sleep, Hormones, Infections and Nutrition) The hormone section gives new information on optimzing testosterone, progesterone and estrogen as well as significant problems in identifying patients with low adrenal functioning, even with the more sensitive ACTH (cortrosyn stimulation test) The nutritional section discusses the theory of excess nitric oxide by Professor Martin Pall and why B-12 is so important.( This personally helps me to understand why I crash after doing too much on a good day.) Alternative therapy measures are given for "difficult cases" when more than the basic SHIN protocol is required. Dr. Teitelbaum relates a humorous personal story concerning alternative methods he once considered "voodoo" medicine, relieving agonizing hay fever symtpoms in only 20 minutes. Readers are introduced to Reverend Bren Jacobson, who sympathizes with CFS/Fibro sufferers and offers a special guest article.(Personally I came away from the article thinking Rev Bren really understands what I am going through) Specialty physicians from holistic to the Chronic Fatigue/Fibro centers are given for those who do not have a "willing physician" to implement the protocol.

The book is concise and clear, making it easy for anyone without a medical degree to understand. Dr. T's sensitivity radiates from the pages because he has been there. This book has been my "medical bible" for dealing with my disease and I have slept with it many nights. Dr. T cautions for us not to try to make up for lost time when we start feeling good. I have tested the waters many times and found that he is right.

The second edition of From Fatigued to Fantastic was the best discussion of fibromyalgia treatment, until the current third edition was printed. Please read my review of the second edition of this book, in addition to this review.
Even if you have already read the second edition, you will find considerable new information in the latest edition. The third edition contains new sections discussing the latest studies concerning increasing energy with Ribose; an enlightening discussion of the dangers of premarin and progestins, in comparison to bioidentical hormone replacement; new antiviral treatments, including Nexavir and Valcyte, extensive information concerning sleep apnea and CPAP treatment; information explaining how to win a disability claim and a succinct, comprehensible, streamlined explanation of the Shoemaker protocols, for testing and treatment of Lymes Disease and other neurotoxic illnesses, which are often the cause of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Updated information is included concerning prevalence of Ambien triggered sleepwalking, and using theanine and magnolia extracts to lower anxiety.

Some of the treatment protocols have been moved to an appendix, labled "for physicians," which makes the remainder of the book more readable for nonphysicians, but the physician section, is comprehensible to well read laymen.

The exceptions I would take to this book concern use of Xanax, Klonopin, Gabatril and Ultram. From our perspective treating chemical dependency, of patients thoughout the United States, it appears these addictions are more frequent than they may appear to Dr. Teitelbaum, who is focused on eliminating dozens of multiple system symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Ultram, in particular, appears to be far more addictive than published literature indicates. Xanax is the most difficult addiction treated by Florida Detox. Klonopin is the second most difficult addiction treated by Florida Detox. With skilled use of Jacob Teitelbaum's protocols, almost all insomnia should be treatable, without using Klonopin. In patients with anxiety disorders, Xanax does not appear to offer any advantage over longer half life benzodiazepines, including Klonopin and Valium, while it does allow anxiety to peak, two to four times daily, due to the short half life.

Although Gabatril is very effective for anxiety and insomnia, the slight risk of seizures prevents us from prescribing Gabatril to anyone who operates a motor vehicle or is alone, for more than a few minutes.

Steven Sponaugle
Research Director, Florida Detox