I am a low doser, and it’s a bit more rough than for the rest of y’all! I began cycling at 300mg twice a day. It started and didn’t let up for a year and a half. It’s HARD work clearing that constantly for so long. Only about 20% of people on the Guaifenesin Protocol are low dosers.
Here’s another post on what it’s like being a low doser, with some encouragement! 🙂 Calling all Low Dosers!
Depression and discouragement (click for link to post) are very real struggles for the low doser.
Expect symptoms like your worst flare- and for these symptoms to not let up for about a year. Take time off work, adjust your schedule to allow for ALOT more rest time. You will only be able to do a little at a time. Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Click for link) is the new you, for a year or so anyways!
For instance, brush your teeth, then take a break. Shower then take a break. Eat breakfast than take a break. My breaks lasted about 30-40 mins each, so getting ready is quite the process.
Expect your house to go to the dogs. Get some house help if at all possible. I had someone come in twice a month or once a month. She did a quick job- cleaned the floors and bathroom. That kept things from getting too crazy. Took her about 2 hours. I asked her to NOT do a perfect job, quantity was more important than quality when you are pinched for money. Check out my post on: Getting your house Clean with Fibromyalgia/ CFS
Remind yourself that YOU are going to be completely clear WAYYYYY faster than the higher dosers, who will be cycling for years and years and years! You will be DONE within a few years! That is HUGELY encouraging, and why the higher dosers are often jealous of us, if you can imagine! 😛
Find something you LOVE to do and make it happen everyday. Something do-able and small. Something that dosn’t require huge amount of your precious energy reserves. I get out in the sun for an hour every day, and go to the tanning beds for 6 mins during the winter. It kept me SANE.
Think of life a little differently. Grieve the loss of what your year of clearing COULD have been. Remind yourself what it WOULD be eventually without the Guaifenesin Protocol. Give yourself time to adjust to this huge new change. Start to think through eyes of life being about reserves of energy, and you only have so much to do everything you need to do. Overdo it and pay the price tomorrow because you will use up tomorrows energy today- realize you won’t have energy to shower or brush your teeth for instance.
Explain to your family that you are more sick than you were but it’s not permanent and it’s for GOOD results now!
This will seem impossible to live through, but you have to hang on to HOPE. With a vise grip. Clench your teeth and determine to stick it out, I am here to tell you it is WORTH IT!!!!!
Rely on God. Go to Him with your pain and your sadness over this loss of a year. Trust Him to get you through it, He will!
And TALK ABOUT IT! Start a blog, write a book, or in a journal or get a Godly friend who would love to just be there for you, and tell her EVERYTHING. Just because you are sick does not mean you are dead! You still have hopes, dreams, likes and dislikes, FEELINGS. Explain to your spouse how you feel each day and make sure to include some positive stuff too, or he will soon get tired of hearing about it. THINK about the positive stuff! Start a thankful journal- remind yourself of 3 things you are thankful for EVERY DAY. This will seriously help you!!
Ok, I am done talking your ear off. I hope you will find the courage you need to keep going! Join our Support group and chat with others like yourself:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Fibro.Buddies.Guaifenesin.Protocol/
Check out my other: FAQ about the Guaifenesin Protocol and Salicylates