From Whiplash to Fibromyalgia: A Painful Beginning That Doesn't End, by Mark Pellegrino, M.D. (ORC Publishing, 2002) Fibromyalgia expert Mark Pellegrino, M.D., offers an up-close and careful look at the mechanics of whiplash injuries from the moment of initial impact through the evaluation and treatment of sustained injuries. This discussion is a great boon to the lay reader who would otherwise find wading through the complex scientific and medical articles on the subject very tough going. The book also addresses post-traumatic fibromyalgia (PTF) which Dr. Pellegrino assures us, "is a specific medical condition that exists regardless of individual physicians' beliefs or opinions". We learn how "the road to PTF travels through acute pain and then chronic pain" and about the significant changes which occur in the autonomic nervous system, the spinal cord, and the brain. Also quite interesting are two short sections dealing with persistent "pain generators" in the body (i.e., muscle triggers, nerve injuries, etc.) and those among the population who tend to be predisposed to PTF. An excellent summary of treatment follows. (Softbound, 130 pages. Available from the National Fibromyalgia Partnership's catalog and Online Store--www.fmpartnership.org. NFP Members--$18/Non-Members--$20, shipping/handling included.)

Disability Workbook for Social Security Applicants: Managing Your Application for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits, Fifth Edition, by Douglas M. Smith, Attorney at Law (Physicians' Disability Services, Inc., 2001)  This valuable workbook answers such questions as: What is Social Security Disability Insurance? How do I prove disability? How do I appeal when benefits are denied? How do I get and organize evidence? How do I monitor my case? How do I respond to continuing disability reviews? Includes worksheets, charts, frequently asked questions, and more. (140 pages, softcover. $19.95 plus $4.50 shipping/handling. Send check/money order to: Physicians' Disability Services, Inc., P.O. Box 827, Arnold, MD 21012. Phone: 410/431-5279.)  Also by Doug Smith: PdS Disability Facts and Social Security Trends, a quarterly newsletter designed to keep you abreast of changes in the laws, regulations, and policies related to Social Security Disability. Published in newsletter format, it offers insights on proving disability, exploring income-increasing opportunities without losing your benefits, and much more. ($19.95/year. Send check/money order to: Physicians' Disability Services, Inc., P.O. Box 827, Arnold, MD 21012. Phone: 410/431-5279.)

Understanding Post-Traumatic Fibromyalgia, by Mark Pellegrino, M.D. (New Harbinger Publications, 1998)  This one-of-a-kind book provides an overview of the medical/legal issues associated with fibromyalgia triggered by injury. Dr. Pellegrino describes how post-traumatic fibromyalgia differs from other forms of fibromyalgia and helps patients to handle post-traumatic FMS from the doctor's office to the courtroom. Of special interest are the sections on whiplash injury, medical history/physical exam, diagnostic testing, treatment, prognosis, multiple traumas, and fibromyalgia existing both before and after trauma. (Anadem Publishing, Inc., 1996, 130 pages, softcover. $16.25 plus $3.50 shipping/handling. Mail check/money order or Visa/Mastercard information to: Anadem Publishing, Inc., 3620 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43214. Credit card orders may also be placed by phone: 800/633-0055, by fax: 614/262-6630, or via the Anadem website: www.anadem.com.)

Social Security Administration: Official government agency which administers SSDI and SSI. Phone: (800) 772-1213. Website: www.ssa.gov

National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR): Social Security attorney's organization which offers FAQ's on SSDI, resource information, and attorney referrals. Mailing address: 6 Prospect Street, Midland Park, NJ 07432. Phone: (201) 444-1415 or (800) 431-2804. Website: www.nosscr.org

Social Security Advisory Service: Offers information about Social Security but is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. Provides SSAS newsletter and free download of Social Security Handbook. Website: www.ssas.com

Fibromyalgia-Related Trauma & Disability:  Article by disability attorney Steve Krafchick. Web link: www.krafchick.com/FM_Talk.pdf

Post-Traumatic Fibromyalgia: Website: http://members.aol.com/fibroworld/trauma.htm

Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA): Offers online links to websites offering legal assistance. Website: www.ptla.org/links.htm

American Bar Association's Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law: Provides legal information and disability law referrals. Website: www.abanet.org/disability/ referral.htm

Medicare Rights Center:  The largest independent source of Medicare information and assistance in the U.S. Provides telephone hotline services to individuals who need answers to Medicare questions and offers information on Medicare benefits and rights. Address: 1460 Broadway, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Phone: (212) 869-3850. Website: www.medicarerights.org/index.html

Family Village: Disability-related regional/state resources in the U.S. Address: The Family Village, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2280. Website: www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/ comm/index.html

Disability Resources: Monthly online directory to regional/state disability resources. Website: www.disabilityresources.org/ DRMreg.html

Technical Assistance Collaborative:  Non-profit that works to achieve positive outcomes for people with disabilities and other special needs. Address: 535 Boylston Street, Suite 1301, Boston, MA 02216. Phone: (617) 266-5657. Website: www.tacinc.org/index

Job Accommodation Network (JAN):  Provides free advisory service on accommodations available through the Americans with Disabilities Act--ADA. Phone: (800) 526-7234. Website: www.jan.wvu.edu/ media/Fibro.html

Disability And Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTAC): Answer questions related to the ADA. Phone: (800) 949-4232. Website: www.adata.org/dbtac.html

Worktree.com: Large online job search portal. Website: www.disabled2work.com

Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America: Publishes Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs which is also available online. Information is also provided in Spanish. Address: 1100 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Phone: (202) 835-3400. Website: www.helping patients.org

RXAssist: A national program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson foundation which offers information on public and private sources of medication assistance. Website: www.rxassist.org

The Medicine Program: Organized by volunteers dedicated to alleviating the plight of patients who cannot afford prescription medications, the Medicine Program assists patients, in cooperation with their physician, to enroll in patient assistance programs. Phone: (573) 996-7300. Website: www.themedicineprogram.com

Medicine Bridge: Volunteer organization which acts as an intermediary between you and your doctor and drug manufacturers offering free medications. To apply for assistance, phone: (877) 677-meds. Website: www.medicinebridge.org

Institute Fulfillment Center: Offers 48-page booklet on free or low-cost medications. To order, visit their website at: www.institute-dc.org

Patient Assistance Organization: Volunteer organization that helps patients apply for rarely publicized drug manufacturers' assistance programs. For details, phone (800) 277-0530. Website: www.patientassistancenetwork.org