“I don’t hardly know where to begin, it has been so long since I gave a progress report. Last fall was my 10th anniversary. If everything had gone perfectly, I would have been fibromyalgia free, but being human, I am not perfect and other things happen along the way. The most irritating symptom for me was the chronic fatigue and brain fog.
I could deal with all the other symptoms but if I was not conscious and functioning, I was useless to myself and others. So I got on the Guaifenesin protocol, got my brain clear and then just trusted in the program to clear out the rest.
Of course, as we are constantly reminded, everything is not fibromyalgia. Along the way, I got a sleep study and started using a CPAP machine, got bilateral kidney stones and had two lithotripsy procedures, and the latest: left total knee replacement. That went so well that I’m having the right one done next month. After that, I expect most of what will be left will be fibromyalgia. And I will be 70 years old.
When I started the guaifenesin treatment, I had given up on getting ready for graduate school. My problem solving skills were slipping fast and I was worried that I would be fired from my medical research job and I would be so incompetent that I wouldn’t be able to get the help that I needed for myself to be declared disabled. Now I’m almost completely retired, enjoying my life and still valued at my work place. This week a paper that I am second author on was accepted for publication in a major scientific journal. Clearly my brain is working just fine. And I’m on Social Security and Medicare, so income and medical insurance are not a worry for me any more. I could still be more employed now if I wanted to be, but I’m enjoying working 12 hours a week when I want to and keeping connected with that part of my world.
While rehabbing from my knee surgery, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself a “star patient”. I was able to come down quickly from the pain meds and get my mobility back as easily as expected. Before, when I wasn’t getting around so easily, I went on two long cruises and had a wonderful time until the end of the last one when the knee issues arose. What was interesting was that my pain threshold was so high that I didn’t even know I had knee issues even though they had progressed to bone on bone with no cartilage at all.
I want to say that I wouldn’t be here today without this group. I lurked for a few months before I started the guai at 300 mg. twice a day. It hit me hard and I stuck with that dose for several years except for a few times when I would get a heavy cold and increased the dose to 600 mg. to get the optimum effect on my congestion. Growing up I always had heavy colds that led to bronchitis. I haven’t had bronchitis since just before I started the guai protocol. I hardly ever have colds any more even when exposed to my grandson. 
My digestion is very good and I never have IBS symptoms. Rashes are a thing of the past. Recently when the Perrigo guai became available I increased my dose to 600 mg. x 2 with no problems. Soaking in a hot bath with a good book is still my favorite pain control method. I have cut back my over the counter pain relievers and antihistamines to only occasional use. The only times I used anything stronger was after the knee surgery.
I am always grateful for this group and the admins who have more patience than I could ever have.”
~Janice from Seattle
Fibro from birth (1944), on guai since 9/03. Started on 600mg Mucinex split twice a day. Now on 600 mg. Perrigo LA.
Not a patient of Dr. S. Never been mapped, but I could see visible lumps diminishing including my longtime “hump”.
Not HG, but had some bad numbers a few years ago and was classified as diabetic. Controlled on diet alone with no bad numbers ever since. Looking forward to resuming a more active life after my next knee surgery.
Woo hoo!”
Janice was speaking of Claudia’s support group called guaigroup. Check it out! I also have a support group on Facebook right now called Fibro Buddies on Guaifenesin Protocol, we let in new members once a week 🙂 And if you wold like more information on the Guaifenesin Protocol or Fibromyalgia, check out the links through this post and the tags under the post. 🙂