Hope's Testimony
Hi Annette and guais,
My name is Hope, a senior who, I think, has a few more good years left, thanks to Annette, the Dr. St. Amand and the drug, guaifenesin. For the past 50 years, I have not felt as good as I do today--and I have been on guaifenesin only for the past 9 months. My health is gradually being restored and I do know that if one follows the Protocol diligently, one will definitely get better. I thank Annette for her guidance, patience, caring and the sweet person that she is. When I read the article in the May23, 2002 issue of the Star Bulletin about how Annette was afflicted with fibromyalgia, and was greatly helped by a very safe and inexpensive medication called guaifenesin, I immediately got in touch with her.
When Annette and I connected for the first time, I learned about the Protocol, and that I should read the book by Dr. St. Amand titled, "What your Doctor may NOT tell you about Fibromyalgia". She also told me that guaifenesin may make the pain worse before it got better. I purchased the book, read it and definitely decided to give it a try. I was a bit fearful but my desire to get better was greater than my of fear of pain.
I have since learned that fibromyalgia is genetic. Thinking back, I do think that my Dad might have had fibromyalgia. He frequently complained of backaches, headaches, neckaches and other mysterious aches and pains. I got thru' high school okay. After high school, I came out to Oahu from the Big Island to further my education. My upper body--shoulders, neck, and shoulder blades bothered me a lot in those days. As the years passed, my symptoms progressively worsened.
In my 30's, I was already feeling pretty bad but was without a diagnosis. I was married by then with 3 children. I went from doctor to doctor, hoping to be diagnosed but to no avail. A surgeon told me once, "Let's remove your tailbone and see what happens because humans don't really need their tailbones". So, off came the tailbone but my problems stayed on. I tried every kind of pain pill, saw doctors in every specialty of medicine, tried every kind of alternative medicine you can think of but nothing really worked out.
I tried anything and everything to ease the pain and discomfort of fibromyalgia. I spent thousands of dollars in massage chairs, vibrating and adjustable beds, heating pads, magnets, reiki, healers, iridologist, chiropractors, acupuncturist, reflexologists, vitamin therapy, crystals, sprays, plasters, moxa and anything else--if I heard of it, I tried it. Some people called me names because I was such an "easy fish".
By 1999, I was on 9 prescription drugs, some of them for no other reason but for the symptoms of fibromyalgia. I was on 3 inhalants and a pill for "asthma-like" symptoms. When I asked the allergist if I had asthma, he said, "No, your lungs are clear but we are treating your asthma-like symptoms". Confusing? I was coughing a lot with a sore throat, earaches, dry mouth, difficulty in swallowing with a lot of mucous--all symptoms of fibromyalgia. The symptoms have subsided markedly since taking the guaifenesin.I became very, very sick from all this medications. My allergist decided to take away all medications, some prescribed by other doctors, and told me to continue with only 1 inhalant. Soon after, I experienced excruciating pain which, I think, were withdrawal symptoms. I lost 15 pounds in that month and will never forget the unbelievable pain.
By the time I got in touch with Annette in May, I was really ready and willing to try whatever it took. I wanted to start on the guaifenesin right away but I had a 10-day trip planned for July 2002. I decided to start the Protocol on July 18, 2002, the day of my return. Everything was in place--all my sal-free products lined up and pretty much expected to get worse before I got better. However, one thing stood in my way. My doctor told me, "You don't want to go down that road because many have tried and they all eventually gave up because it didn't work". Sadly, I came home without a prescription that day. However, there is a reason for everything that happens. I decided to write a letter to my doctor. I did write the letter and asked him to read it before my office visit as I wanted to discuss it. Here is a small part of my letter :
"I have tried everything possible but so far, nothing has helped. This last episode kept me up almost all night for 5 days due to pain. Therefore, I am asking you to please allow me to try guaifenesin. I understand it to be very safe and cost effective--I have no prescription coverage. I am told that guaifenesin will make one feel worse before it gets better. Also, the patient cannot have any drugs with salicylates or plant based ingredients. As you can see, it will require your expertise to carry it out. If this works, I will be happiest person alive to be rid of all the pain, sleep disorders, thick mucus (guaifenesin might help this disorder too) and more. I am in fairly good health so would like the opportunity to try it now.
Annette's advice for prescription:
Guaifenisin 600 mg tabs 2 tabs twice a day #120
That day, I walked out with a prescription in hand for guaifenesin. Today, he says, Let's keep going because it's working for you. My dosage has been established at 900 mg per day. Vicki mapped me prior to starting the guai and I was full of lumps and bumps. Lucky for me, I did not get worse before getting better. Two months later, Vicki mapped me again, and most of lumps and bumps were on their way out. I feel 75% better than pre-guai and I still bothered by leg pains but they are gradually getting better.
Now that I am getting back to feeling normal, I am trying to hasten my recovery by exercise and diet. I get up at 4am to go to Tai Chi and Luk Tung classes every weekday. Then, Yoga and body sculpting are other classes I take. Sundays are usually spent with my little grandchildren swimming at the Kailua Y. I am now able to make plans and keep them. Friday nights are special nights when 4 of us have gathered together for crafting the last 15 years. Sometimes, much as I enjoyed it, I did not feel up to it. However, now I look forward to it and I do stay awake.
Today, I am on 3 prescribed medications--guai being one of them. I take miacalcin for prevention of osteoporosis, and Questran for cholesterol. Through exercise and proper diet, I would like to drop Questran from my list. My blood pressure was creeping into the high level but now it is somewhere near l20/70. I also had a irregular heartbeat, but it is irregular no more. I feel GOOD now! As you get on the Protocol and start to feel better, you will have more energy to help yourself to better health.
In closing, I'd like to say that guaifenesin is the only treatment that has worked for me in the more than 50 years of grief.
Annette, To Cheh, Xie Xie, Shieh Shieh, Tse Tse and Arigato. This is a little joke between Annette and me about computer illiteracy and thank you's. I researched the above on the computer. Proud of me, Annette? Post-guai, my husband and I took a class in basic computer. Funny, this time, the body was willing but the mind was not. Computer classes, here I come!
Love to you all!
Hope