In this book, Rosenfeld visits 36 people - famous and not - and engages them in conversations which explore every aspect of chronic pain. Divided into patients, caregivers and thinkers (with some overlapping), the three sections of the book (when combined with Rosenfeld's linking commentary) create a mosaic which is comprehensive, yet always facinating. The author unerringly asks the very follow-up questions the reader would like to have answered. These are genuine conversations, not a collection of responses to pre-programmed questions. For those concerned about loved ones suffering from chronic pain, the insights, the information, the list of resources and the book's glossary are invaluable.

Insightful, Inspiring, Important. Whether or not you suffer from chronic pain, this book is a must read and it is truly accessible to a very wide audience. As we don't yet have a cure to offer those who suffer, understanding the pain will have to do. Mr. Rosenfeld's book is the ultimate handbook for this daunting task. After dividing the book into 3 parts, patients (that's me), caregivers and thinkers, it was amazing to see how many common threads there were. I found myself, highlighter in hand, saying, "yes, that's it", or "he got it", or "she shed thought provoking new light". This book belongs in the hands of medical students and parctitioners as well as the general public. The author has succeeded in making this a page-turner.

"The Truth About..." makes clear how many live in pain and just how pervasive the matter is. In short, Rosenfeld's work clearly and concisely explains the issues while demystifying a series of complex problems.

While there are many philosophical and religious dimensions involved, it's equally amazing to hear how so many personal and divergent points of view all lead to the same bottom line: that none of us should ever have to suffer because of someone's hang-up about prescription drugs or about pain as a character builder.

If "The Truth..." does nothing else but shed light while comforting those who suffer in the dark without knowledge, then undoubtedly hundred of thousands, or perhaps even millions of untold sufferers will be better for it.

I first got this book because my mother was out watering plants and a bug flew into her ear and started to borrow. It hurt her bad enough to make her scream. What do you do in this type of situation? This book anwsered that question and has anwsered many more since then. It is a great resource to have for those What do I do situations. A must have for families with kids. I recommend this book to anyone.

I bought this book when it first came out and was hoping to find an updated version. I am surprised that more people haven't reviewed this book. I have a whole collection of health/medical books and Symptoms is the only one showing wear. I have turned to this book again and again. It is easy to read and understand and you can find information on most problems. There were times when I would have gone to a doc but found out from this book that I didn't need to and other times when I thought a symptom to be minor that really wasn't. The book helps you decide the best course of action. It helped me through my son's early years and through numerous medical problems for my whole family. You won't be disappointed by this book. Just be sure to keep it handy. You will find yourself using it alot.

I have bought this book twice. Each time let a friend borrow it and never got it back. Obviously they felt the same way.

I read "Second Opinion" for the first time about 4 years ago. What I found to be very appealing about the book was Rosenfeld's down-to-earth presentation and his obvious care for the afflicted. The book is organized in brief, to the point modules which let you read at your pace. The book is what I call easy reading. Keeps your interest and doesn't numb you with over much medical terminology. I would recommend every person read this book even though it is long in the tooth. Many things we learn ten or twenty years ago are still good and relevant today. Wisdom never expires. It only is rejected by fools as worthless.

Dr. Fisher's medical information is written in a very clear and understandable style. My knowledge of diabetes and the mechanisms the body uses in insulin production and absorption was greatly increased. However, I found the diet plan laid out called for products not readily available, required purchase of too wide a variety of foods on a weekly basis some of which may only be used in a small amount for one meal and was too expensive for the average person. Compounding this problem was the fact that very limited information was given on how to create your own meal plans and incorporate the program into your life.

Dr. Fisher goes to great length to explain how the "Trace" nutrient Chromium is used by the body and how benifical it is to a healthy life. His claims are also backed by three other Doctors with an Introduction by George Sheehan, M.D., Forward by Isadore Rosenfeld,M.D., and a Preface by Gary W. Evans, Ph.D.

In times of managed care, Dr. Rosenfeld has the courage to stand up to the insurance companies and empower patients to speak up for themselves. This book tells me what I need to know to be my own advocate for my own healthcare. I recommend this book to anyone who is concerned about their healthcare.

This is quite simply the best book I have ever read by a doctor written for patients. Dr. Rosenfeld is not only very experienced and knowledgeable, but he writes so that I can understand. Some of my closest friends have medical problems that they have discussed with me. There is more information in this book than their doctors ever told them. It's great.

Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld steps forward to help those of us who may be in the dark concerning health problems, managed health care, or who may be locked into an insurance company that dictates treatment including physicians, and offers straightforward advice and guidance in order to educate patients as to what their rights are and what they should be asking and receiving. This is an important book for Americans today.

After reading some of the online reviews, I was a bit skeptical but had to read the book out of curiosity. I am a medical information specialist and consider myself extremely well informed. Still, Dr. Rosenfeld managed to come up with things I'd not read elsewhere and I was able to immediately put these to good use. His style is always entertaining, his knowledge of the field appears vast, and his research superior. I'll be buying several as Christmas gifts - it is that good.

Dr. Rosenfeld writes a book that we all should have in our library. Dr. Rosenfeld tackles a lot of the problems that most of us encounter in our lifetime and tells us how we could delay or even prevent them all together. There are some problems we are afraid to speak to our doctors about, Dr. Rosenfeld answers those questions as well.

This is a book I plan on having and using in my every day life. A must read.

Quoting from the 6/8/99 Seattle P-I Ann Landers column, this book "tells you the truth about aging -- the hard facts as well as the good news. ...You will be told in detail, how to accelerate your energy level, how to deal with cancer and strokes, osteoporosis and heart disease, as well as what to do about deafness and failing eyesight. This book is written in simple language and lets you know that you are the key player in the aging game." Ann Lander does not recommend books frivolously, and she says, "Run, don't walk, to your favorite [independently owned] bookstore immediately...and ask that a copy be held for you."

I love Dr. Rosenfield, but this is a useless book. Sorry, doc.

This was my first time to read a book by Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld and I was pleasantly surprised! I found this book to be user-friendly and sensible in its approach to how one might use food as an added treatment for ailments, without negating the usefulness of modern medications and other treatment modalities. I think the best part is that Dr. Rosenfeld avoids outlandish promises. As a matter of fact, he offers his information as just that -- "food" for thought. He is consistent in advising readers to converse with one's own health care provider about the information he is suggesting. And Rosenfeld is careful to tell the reader when he has limited knowledge or available information, about a certain vitamin, mineral or food and its relationship to the particular ailment being discussed. The book is formatted in a way that allows one to flip around, not necessarily reading the chapters in order. The author also repeats information when it is relevant to several diseases, so as not to assume the reader has read any previous chapters where the data appeared. Thank you, Dr. Rosenfeld, for offering up some palatable information that is sound, moderate and sensible, in a non-judgmental forum.

The book is a big list of disorders in alphabetical order, from acne, actinic keratoses, aging, and alcohol through flatulence and halitosis to vaginal yeast infection. For each one there are several pages outlining the features of the disease and how diet plays a role. Rosenfeld talks about what is known to work, what might work, and what probably won't work even if you thought it would.

Straightforward, not comprehensive, but clear in what it does cover. At least one or two useful suggestions are given for each disorder. And from a reputable source.

I have been practicing chiropractic for nearly 40 years. During the 1960's and 1970's we expected medically oriented, biased attacks with great regularity. Dr. Rosenfeld, apparently an old timer himself, has picked up the battle where his AMA collegues left off. By pretending to embrace the various "alternatives" he mearly points out in his opinion why not to seek them out. His chapter on chiropractic, which he entitled a "A Disjointed Theory" is an example of his ignorance and bias. He states that he "loves chiropractors...for low backs" and then maliciously states why you should not see one, citing side effects that are so rare that the average chiropractor wouldn't see if they practiced 1000 years. The other chapters are as bad, with the obvious intent of supporting the medical machine. There is a changing paradigm in this country with educated consumers seeking out quality alternative healthcare such as chiropractic. This is driven by their avoidance of the ineffective at best and deadly at worst medical system that Dr. Rosenfeld is ensconsed in. But I suppose he is justified in poorly authoring books as opposed to being a slave to managed care. Time to retire doc.
Dr. J.M. Gaddis

This is just another attack by organized medicine on Alternative treatments and therapies, in particular chiropractic. Dr. Rosenfeld comes across as biased, ignorant and at times completely malicious in the information he provides. His assertion that he "loves chiropractors is disingenous at best." He prefers non-specific manipulation by a doctor who can also prescribe (toxic) drugs. He lists warnings about chiropractic that are extremely rare, occuring one in many millions, and suggests that these are common occurances. He fails to mention that the practice of (Allopathic) medicine is the third leading cause of preventable death in The United States, which is the very reason we need more practitioners of the so called "Alternatives". If you want good advice, start by avoiding books on alternative medicine written by medical doctors, especially this one!!!

The title should give it away.
How could a mature medical doctor, especially one who is such a well-known medical spokesman be anything but medically biased, when disseminating his opinions. Especially regarding those areas which are outside his lifelong discipline.

Dr. Rosenfeld also does a great disservice to people when he tries to scare them away from recieving neck adjustments for instance, from a Chiropractor (whom he says "He loves", in his chapter entitlted: Chiropractic A Disjointed Theory?). Chiropractic is THE only profession that should ever touch you or your family's spine. No one is more highly trained.

If you truly want the standard AMA view on Health, routine or alternative, just look around. It's in every medical office and coming at you in every and all media. Have you seen a pharmaceutical ad today. Be oh so wary.