Synopsis

The good news is people are living longer, the bad news is people are suffering from higher rates of morbidity. Further complicating matters is that the medical community treats the symptoms and not the illness allowing people to live longer but the quality of life is reduced. Most reasons for morbidity are because our genes are being exposed to environments that they never experienced during the evolution process such as certain prescription drugs, less sleep, alcohol uses, smoking, exposure to toxins, stress, new illnesses, and certain foods. The result is disease and, in many cases, autoimmune disorders. In fact, according to Daniel Lieberman there is a good chance you will die from a disease caused by genetic mismatches with environmental factors. To put matters in perspective, according to the CDC there are about 600 rare diseases and the prevalence rate all 600 diseases in the United States alone is over 10%. What's worse, if all diseases are taken into account about 25 to 33% of the United States is sick or will be sick in the next few years. That is extraordinary because many disorders can be avoided through a well-balanced diet and exercise. If you have been suffering from disease and illness such as chronic pain then may be interested in this book.

This book explains my story and philosophy to cope with two chronic debilitating neurological conditions while competing in cycling. What's more, after 13 years of testing and visiting 9 neurologist I have been misdiagnosed several times and they are still uncertain about my current diagnosis. Thus, it is possible that I have something that is completely unique and science has yet to catch up with my disorder. The important facets of my story are acceptance, advocacy, adaptation, and attitude (AAAA). Although Peripheral Nerve Hyper-excitation (PNH) and neuropathy disorders can be debilitating and wreak-havoc on the lives of those inflicted, it is still possible to have a productive, successful, and meaningful life. Furthermore, without practicing AAAA, instead of winning races I would be requiring assistance to walk and to do other everyday functions. Although gene expression and adaptation for exercise and diet are unique to each individual, 99.9% of all people obtain some benefits. This novel book educates the public about my experiences and what I learned from my medical and cycling journey about a plethora of subjects including anatomy, epidemiology, physiology, neuromuscular disease, environmental factors, pain, fear, stress, depression, acceptance, adaptation, mental toughness, competition, diet,and endurance training to name a few. The bottom line is that not only is vigorous exercise achievable but so too is athletic improvement and success in the presence of a debilitating neurological disorder. Furthermore, athletic achievement is possible in the absence of athletic genes.

My experience and research have enlightened me to blog about peripheral nerve hyper-excitation (PNH) disorders. My blog post “The Misconceptions of Benign Fasciculation Syndrome” has produced over 150 thousand reads. Other blog posts I have written on the subject have received thousands of reads. Several years back I also participated in a forum on paresthesia symptoms on a Huffington Post webcast. I am not a doctor and do not hold a PhD in any educational field (I have a B.S. in electrical engineering). None the less, I have had several doctors stricken with PNH reach out to me asking for my advice. For instance, I sent the section on “Fear” to one doctor suffering from PNH and he wrote me back saying “The Fear component of the book is fabulous”. My communication with patients, my independent research for this text, my blogs, and my survey have provided me a clearer picture of what is going on but I am certainly no expert (I may know more than most, but no one is an expert). At the same time, I can speculate with more certainty about what is going on with me. As far as expertise in cycling is concerned, I have been competing in cycling the past 7 years and have been on the podium in over 100 races including national and state titles in time trial events. Yes, I have many cycling achievements, but what makes these accomplishments unique is that they were attained while I was battling two debilitating neurological conditions that impair both strength and power.

Sales arguments

• The last chapter is an epidemiology study on peripheral nerve hyper-excitation (PNH) disorders. This is an anonymous survey that enabled me to statistically define the conditions including finding correlation between parameters. Due to my research I have had hundreds of persons reach out to me asking specific questions and needing advice. Thus, I can build a fairly large email list. Also, due to my survey study, I am well known on social media sites for PNH disorders.
• My blog post entitled "The Misconceptions of Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (BFS)" has received 150,000 hits. BFS is a PNH disorder. Other blog posts have received thousands of reads.
• My ties to the cycling community are fairly deep in part due to my success. Since I started racing 7 years ago, at age 50, I won over 70 races and been on the podium in over 100 races.

Similar titles

• Overcoming Functional Neurology Symptoms: A Five Area Approach, Allen Carson et. al. CRC Press, 2011. This book focuses on cognitive therapy; whereas, my book focuses on exercise to overcome neurological symptoms.
• Back in the Game: Why Concussion Doesn't have to End Your Athletic Career, Jeffery S Kutcher MD, Oxford University Press, 2017, This book deals with upper motor neuron dysfunction and is written by a doctor and not an athlete; whereas, my book concentrates on lower motor neuron dysfunction and its perspective is from the point of view of an athlete.
• The Courage to go Forward: The Power of Micro-communities, David Codani et.al., Morgan James Publishing, 2018, This book describes how support groups can change the lives. David went from not being able to run a half mile to completing the Iron Man triathlon. My book focuses more on individual coping mechanisms when support from friends, family, or the medical community is not sufficient.

Audience

Any patient or persons knowing someone who is coping with neurological disorders, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain. Others that may find the information in this text useful are master athletes, fitness trainers, coaches, medical professionals, and others who may coping with chronic illness.

Advance praise

One orthopedic surgeon suffering from neurological disease, who wishes to remain anonymous, told me “The Fear component of the book is fabulous”. Many persons with neurological disorders tend to believe what they have is more sinister, such as ALS, brain tumors, or MS since onset symptoms of benign conditions may be similar.