Recent Books

Coping with Kidney Disease: A 12-Step Treatment Program to Help You Avoid Dialysis

This 240-page book is helpful for those who are looking for more information on understanding kidney failure, which is the ultimate outcome for PKD sufferers.  It covers topics such as early warning signs, how to get a correct diagnosis and how to evaluate treatment options.  In addition the author recommends a low protein diet as a big part of the 12-step program to avoid dialysis.  While there is no conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of the diet, the book is still a good source of information about kidney failure.

Walser, Mackenzie, M.D. with Betsy Thorpe.  Coping with Kidney Disease: A 12-Step Treatment Program to Help You Avoid Dialysis.  Indianapolis: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004.

To Live or Die in Arizona

This book is the first in a three-part series that follows the character of Abby Taylor as she uncovers mysteries while dealing with PKD at the same time.  The daughter of a PKD Foundation co-founder writes the series and donates a portion of the proceeds from the book to the PKD Foundation.  The books can be bought through the PKD Foundation’s website at www.pkdcure.org and would be good for anyone looking for a mystery novel with the added subject of PKD.  It shows how the main character deals with PKD while living her normal life at the same time and may serve as a good inspiration to patients.

Lewis, Elizabeth Browning.  To Live or Die in Arizona.  Berkeley:Dromedary Press, 2002.

The Official Patient's Sourcebook on Polycystic Kidney Disease

This book was compiled as a manual for those interested in self-directed research on Polycystic Kidney Disease.  Within its 224 pages, this book includes general information about the disease and its various forms, treatment options, recommendations on how to find guidance and additional references and internet sites that might be useful.  Since the book contains information about various subjects in the PKD field, it would be a good print resource for doctors and caregivers as well as a resource for patients who want help looking for information or who want to make education and research a part of their treatment process.

The Official Patient’s Sourcebook on Polycystic Kidney Disease.  Ed. James N. Parker, M.D. and Phillip M. Parker, Ph.D.  San Diego: Icon Health Publications, 2002.