Self-help for Common Illnesses
by Dr Diana Samways MBBS
The following reviews have been written about the book :
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From Reading ME Support Group, published in April 2006 : Not having had the best experiences myself with the medical profession since having M.E. I didn’t quite know what to expert from this book. However, just reading the Preface took away any doubts that this was another book written by a doctor who knows best and that conventional medicine will cure you! Through her own ill-health, Dr Samways has specialised in bowel, allergy and environmental problems. This book looks at all of these issues and more! Having myself being diagnosed with M.E. in 1991, I have looked into and tried a variety of complementary and “alternative" therapies. Some helped me considerably (Healing, Meditation, Crystals) so much so that I have now trained and practise these therapies. However, this book gave me an insight into how some of my remaining M.E. problems might be helped by looking at environmental problems such as moulds in the environment. It also gives approaches to IBS & Candida. M.E. is mentioned, but only gets a paragraph; although some of the symptoms we suffer do also come under other headings. If you have food intolerances, allergies, are sensitive to foods, chemicals etc, then this is a must-read book. It tells you what to avoid, how to boost your immune system and has a detailed resource section of products and supplements that may be able to help you (although one product I looked into to remove mould from the environment costs from £169!). The book has a detailed contents page, so if you are low in energy you can just pick out the chapters that are relevant to you. However, I do recommend that you read the whole book if you can. Dr Samways’ wealth of knowledge in this field is very useful. It is a book I would like to own as it would be a useful reference book. Dr Samways runs a practice in Haslemere, Surrey, so is not a million miles away if, like me, you feel she could help you. Julie Wootten From "Coffee n Carrots", published January 2006 : The title is catchy, the book as refreshing as a glass of fresh carrot juice on a hot day. Here we have a conventionally trained doctor who, over twenty years ago, switched from general practice to alternative and holistic medicine, because conventional Western treatments were unable to solve her own health problems or those of many of her patients. In this book she offers guidance to those who, rather than get “under the doctor” with common illnesses, would prefer to keep control of their lives and recover by dealing with the cause, not the symptoms, of whatever ails them. Much of Dr Samways’ basic philosophy is music to the ears of any Gersonite. She is against trying to fix all health problems with a pill, without exploring causes or indeed trying to prevent future trouble. She isn’t dazzled by fashionable labels and practises holistic environmental medicine, with special emphasis on nutrition and on the connection between allergies, addictions and bowel problems. Her own severe mould allergy, caused by mould inhaled from air forced her to explore this widespread yet unrecognised condition, which can cause fatigue, mood swings, depression, anxiety and general malaise. Her case histories show that she is on the right track when suspecting mould allergy behind some patients’ wide range of apparently unrelated symptoms. There are simple, sensible and clear instructions on how to shorten a cold, how to keep the immune system in good nick, what to do to remain healthy in later life, why choose organic food and avoid genetically modified products, aspartame and soy in all its forms. “The food industry has bypassed nutrition altogether is one of the author’s needle-sharp asides; her dry sense of humour is an extra bonus. Elsewhere she takes a long look at the ravages caused by alcoholism and considers the effects of childhood trauma on health in adulthood. Spiritual growth and the search for the purpose of life fit in well with the holistic spirit of the book, which includes the inner life as a matter of course in the search for health. All in all, this book gives a tantalising taste of what medicine should really be like: truly holistic, dealing with body, mind, emotions and spirit as one unit, and enabling patients to create a therapeutic relationship with their doctors, based on mutual trust and cooperation. Under the heading, “Why I have written this book”, Dr Samways states, “I feel that through my tile and particularly through the difficulties I have encountered on the journey, I have found some useful solutions that are worth passing on. My medical training has been helpful in this but only when combined with my experience as a human being on the journey of life. I have learned a great deal by listening to people and patients. And she adds this advice for doctors and health care workers: “Don’t listen to the doctor, listen to the patient.” Beata Bishop From "Candida, Mould, Bowels, Mood and Energy…what orthodox medicine does not treat", published by the Institute for Complementary Medicine (ICM), May 2005 : The main focus of this book is the effects of moulds, spores, and fungi in general on candida, yeast overgrowth and the persistence of gut problems, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome and food allergies, that seem unresponsive to normal treatments. A qualified doctor and GP, until she gave it up to practice holistic medicine, Dr Samways illuminates an area seldom recognized by orthodox doctors and a set of symptoms that usually go unrecognized as indicative of chronic candida and yeast infestation. As a mould allergy sufferer herself she writes from experience and has gathered most of information about the condition from self-observation, dealing with her patients’ chronic problems and her own investigations. She describes the telltale signs, such as mood swings, depression, anxiety and panic (often worse at night), bouts of energy loss, and obesity unresponsive to dietary restriction, as well as the more localized symptoms, such as asthma, ‘hay fever’, urinary problems, joint pains, flatulence, abdominal bloating and swelling of legs and ankles. Her solution involves two main approaches, dietary and house clearing. The latter involves adopting a modified version of the Hay Diet, involving the cardinal rule of not eating carbohydrates with protein at the same meal in order to minimize fermentation and starve any candida and yeast of its main source of energy, sugar. She advocates certain foods and warns against others, as well as suggesting supplements. To reduce the mould and other toxic load in the home from dust mites, etc, she sets out a number of measures including dehumidifying, air filters, treating carpets, bedding, mattresses and pillows. Damp in any form but especially around windows needs to be addressed and the garden can also a source of allergens and airborne attack. Other environmental causes, such as geopathic stress, are discussed as well as more modern, electromagnetic sources such as powerlines and mobile phone masts. Important emotional factors are addressed, such as childhood trauma leading to addiction problems and co-dependency issues and Samways shows how addressing such issues needs to be part of the recovery process for candida sufferers, who very often have poor boundary setting skills and need to learn when and how to say ‘no’. In further chapters she covers a variety of issues including Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Gulf War Syndrome, eating disorders, ADHD, MMR, HRT, spiritual growth and even ‘hauntings’ and underground water. Some of these topics could have done with greater discussion and in some, for example, the EU Directive of Food Supplements, her coverage definitely requires updating: to discuss the latter without mention of the fundamental contribution of the Alliance for Natural Health is like discussing Relativity without mentioning Einstein. The lack of an index always makes a book less accessible and this should be included in any new edition. Some readers will wish that she had included references to support some of her arguments but Dr Samways states that she is giving her own personal views developed from 20 years of experience. Her style is somewhat ‘stream of consciousness’, which might have benefited form some judicious editing at times, but it gives a strong feel of information derived from direct personal experience. She does provides appendices indicating further reading and sources of information – in some cases these could have been a little more comprehensive. But, all in all, this is a very significant book for those who suffer persistent gut problems, IBS, candida, allergies and the chronic symptoms described that do not respond to other orthodox or complementary treatments. Her revelations about the importance of addressing moulds in treating these conditions makes this book unique and one that will benefit the approach to treatment of all complementary practitioners. Simon Best From "The National Candida Society" Newsletter, April 2005 : This quarter, I've had the pleasure of reviewing two really good books, both written by medical doctors, and both written from personal experience. They make for fascinating reading. Conventionally trained, Dr Samways has been running an alternative clinic since 1984. In the introduction she says: "I have endeavoured to cover most of the areas which are poorly tackled or entirely neglected by Conventional Western Medicine which is very narrow in outlook, rather like looking through the peepholes in a strait-jacket. When asked if someone should see a (conventional) doctor, the real answer (in my heart) is 'no… first look at diet, lifestyle, environment etc'." This book really does cover many topics not found elsewhere, and often in a novel way:
The section on mould is particularly good. Dr Samways suffers from mould allergy, and in learning so much about it, has become an expert on the subject. You may have seen an article that Dr Samways wrote about mould, in an earlier edition of the Candida Digest. Here, two chapters are devoted to it, so there's much more detail. Candida is covered in the chapter on IBS. Like the rest of the book, this chapter is packed full of tips and suggestions for getting well. This book is a really interesting read. Dr Samways runs a clinic in Haslemere, Surrey and is listed on the Clinics page of our website. Dr Christine Tomlinson PhD As the title suggests, the central theme of this book is taking responsibility for one's own health. Consult a conventional doctor, by all means, but stay in control, get as much information as you can and make your own decisions says Dr Samways. A trained conventional doctor herself, Dr Samways switched to running a holistic practice when she found conventional medicine was ill-equipped to deal with her own health problems. The MMR vaccine, phone masts, power lines and Gulf War Syndrome are cited as reasons for us to not trust the so-called experts. In another chapter, food scandals such as BSE are highlighted and doubt is thrown on practices such as fish farming, mechanically recovering meat and irradiation. Good gut health, which includes treating yeast overgrowth and digestive problems is the key to treating conditions such as food allergies and IBS, according to Dr Samways. An extremely simplified version of food combining is offered and will please those people who have been put off this way of eating for practical reasons. The part of the book that I found most interesting was the discussion of mould allergy. As a mould allergy sufferer herself, Dr Samways set about doing her own research as she found there was a real ignorance about how moulds affect human health. This struck me as an important (and often neglected) condition which therapists need to be well aware of when assessing clients, especially those with multiple symptoms who do not seem to get better. The symptoms of mould allergy as listed by Dr Samways are very similar to those of Candida, food allergies and IBS. There are thousands of species of moulds. They may be visible on walls or windows as black dots or as white mildew on shoes, but moulds in the atmosphere cannot be seen by the naked eye. It is not certain whether people with mould allergy react to the mould itself or a toxin produced by the mould. Unfortunately there is no means of measuring 'mould count' as there is for pollen. Moulds are in their highest amount in the air just before a thunderstorm, in damp weather and when it is windy as the moulds are disturbed. April, when lawn mowing fever occurs, will produce high amounts of moulds, and there will also be peaks in July and August (harvest time) and again in the autumn when leaves begin to decay. Amongst the solutions discussed in the book are dehumidifiers and air purifiers. For persistent mould problems, Dr Samways recommends looking at the possibility of geopathic stress. This can be the cause of many other unexplained health problems as well. Unfavourable ley lines, crossing underground streams or nearby mobile phones and masts can all be contributing factors. Two chapters are devoted to addressing emotional issues. A link is discussed between childhood trauma and the subsequent development of co-dependent adults with allergies and multiple sensitivities. Dr Samway's suggestion that Candida sufferers often have poor boundary setting skills is very interesting. Candida by its very nature is an invading condition which often penetrates the barrier of the gut wall. Part of recovery from both the Candida and the co-dependency according to Dr Samways, involves learning how to say 'no' and avoiding taking on other people's baggage. Overall, I gleaned useful, practical information from this book. The clear, straightforward style is a plus, although at times I found the tone slightly preaching. I would have preferred it if she had also suggested homeopathic alternatives for conventional medical remedies such as desensitization and neutralization. [These are discussed...DS.] Penny Crowther, Qualified nutritional therapist Dr Samways is a GP with the ability to look 'out-of-the-box' who has succeeded in gathering together the many neostressors in the 21C environment which can and do cause adverse health effects. She writes in a frank and refreshing style, staying true to medicine, yet looking at new problems and their solutions. As she writes, people are different and what affects one may not affect another - she comments on the fact that many symptoms reported are so bizarre that unless the doctor is prepared to look at further environmental factors many treatments may be ineffective... ...This common sense book written by a doctor with the experience of years of general practice can be thought of as a DIY guidebook for many common health problems. She has a particular interest in allergies, candida, addictions, moulds. The latter is a subject rarely discussed yet it can lie at the root of many health problems and much sensible advice is given here for those with this sensitivity. Diet is also well addressed with much advice not involving "the Pill fairy"... In all this book should be in every home, whether your family is young, grown up or retired - sensible self-help is timely, vital and must surely be welcomed by the medical profession. And your own feeling of pride when you can knock that irritating symptom on the head without recourse to the 'Pill Fairy' will be worth its weight in gold! Anne Silk FFDO FADO (HONS) FRSA Physical illnesses, nutritional deficiencies, food allergies and sensitivities can all present as psychiatric symptoms. These are rarely picked up on by conventional medical practitioners who often use psychiatric drugs as a first line of treatment. Prescribed drugs can also cause a whole range of emotional and physical difficulties, such as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Candida, whilst allergies can also manifest as addictions. It is refreshing to see a medical doctor address these issues in depth as they are not always recognised. In her easy to read, practical book, “I’m a Patient…Get me out of Here…”, Dr Diana Samways talks about facts relating to common health problems and provides helpful information on how to overcome them. Ramzia Kabbani |
So, why not see for yourself? Order your copy of "I'm a Patient... Get me out of Here..." today!