Christine's Testimony
My name is Christine and my journey with Fibromyalgia became painfully evident nearly seven years ago. I was an extremely energetic person, one would say I was actually quite hyper. Little did I know that the pain that started developing in my feet would only be the beginning stages of a disease that would attempt to strip me of my bountiful energy and active life. It would also set into motion what seemed like endless visits to various doctor's offices who would diagnose me with everything from nerve damage, to bunions, to tendonitis, stress, and even anger management problems. My friends and family would tell me that I just needed to relax or "It's all in your head." Doctors would say there was nothing physically wrong with me and that I needed to be on antidepressants. But the pain in my feet just kept on getting worse. Then it slowly began...over time -pain in my arms which was so unbearable that I could no longer work. My elbows began to ache, then my hands, then my wrist, and then my fingers. The pain spread to my back, my shoulders, and then began to radiate throughout my whole body. I became desperately worried that something was horribly wrong with me. As a result, I started to get severe panic attacks that left me completely debilitated and in a state of utter fear. Then came the fatigue and lethargy. I worried about how I would keep my job as a teacher. How could I get up in the morning? How could I perform my job the only way I knew how, with passion and energy? Fibromyalgia was destroying my life...All I could do was lie in bed, cry, and wish I was dead.
My husband and I began to research all we could about fatigue and pain. We realized that Fibromyalgia was probably the reason. It was later confirmed by a rheumatologist. I was officially diagnosed one year ago. Despite this there was apparently nothing we really could do about it. For every book I picked up, or every pamphlet I read, there was a different explanation and treatment for the disease. It was evident that no one really knew that much about it. This was very difficult for me to accept. That is until I learned about iFoG. It is extremely hard to put into words what iFoG as well as the support group has done for me. In a sentence, it has given me my life back.
My husband and I went to our first iFoG meeting together last year. After meeting Annette and listening to her speak and hearing the testimonials of others, my husband and I knew that the search was over...We had finally found true help. Without any hesitation, I bought and read Dr. St. Amand's book. It all finally made sense to me. I followed and still continue to follow the protocol exactly to a tee (and yes, I did have to part with almost all of the products that I was using before). But I never even thought twice about it.
I have been on the Guai protocol for a little over 3 months. Vicky has mapped me for the second time this month and she said I am doing incredibly well. With her help, I believe I have my correct dosage and I am hopeful of getting much better in a year.
I already feel like a brand new person. The life and energy that I thought I had lost forever has been given back to me. Not only has my pain and achiness substantially decreased, but I have so much energy now. Accept for some occasional cycling, I haven't had any that lasted so long or as bad as before. I just overall feel stronger and healthier. My brain fog has subsided as well. Now, I can think clearly and my brain doesn't freeze like it did before. I just recently started walking 2.5 miles again every day, something I used to easily do, but no longer could because of the Fibro. I actually have the confidence now to walk in the Great Aloha Run in February of this year. 8 miles is kind of a scary thought to me, but I am going to try my best. Another thing I have noticed is that I no longer worry about how I will make it through my days. I don't worry about planning ahead for social events or activities because I know I have had a lot of good days and there will be more good days to come.
In closing, I just want to say that I am incredibly grateful to Annette, Vicky, Dr. St. Amand for his book and his research, and to everybody in the iFoG support group. I would also like to thank my husband whose love, caring, and patience kept me hanging on when I just wanted to die. Thank you to all of you. Now....I live...with a little more energy and passion that I once had, day by day, one day at a time.