Raedeen's Testimony
Hi Annette,
Good to talk with you the other day. I got to think that it probably would be good to submit a progress report, so here it is! Feel free to share with anyone whom you think might benefit.
I started taking guai on October 10, 2001 (300 mg/twice a day). I increased to 600 mg/twice a day on October 17, 2001. On January 27, 2002, I increased my dose to 900 mg/twice a day and from my last mapping, determined this is my cycling dose.
I've had fibromyalgia symptoms for as along as I can remember. I recall feeling body aches and fatigue as far back as 8 years old. I'm 38 years old now. Over the 30 years that I suffered with fibromyalgia, I must have seen hundreds of doctors, spent thousands of dollars and tried at least another 100 different treatments. The treatments ranged from herbal remedies to more exercise to less exercise to positive thinking - you name it, I tried it - to no avail. Each time I tried a new remedy or went to another doctor, it resulted in discouragement, frustration, depression, feelings of hopelessness, and a major dent in my pocketbook. I don't know how many times I was told by doctors and lay people to: "Just think positive," "There's nothing wrong with you, maybe you should get counseling," "Maybe you just need to accept this and live with it," etc., etc.
In August 1999, I went through a great deal of stress related to family problems. Dealing with stressful situations was not particularly uncommon. Somehow, I was always able to function with my fibromyalgia despite stress and being a "Type A personality." However, in August 1999, that all changed. I slowly became increasingly unable to function. By the summer of 2001, I was bedridden for 95% of the time. I was unable to lift my arms above my head because the pain was so great from a literal massive lump sitting in my chest area. My days were filled with fear (How will I make it? Will I have to quit school and work? Will I need to go on some sort of disability? Am I destined for a life of illness?). Needless to say, I felt desperate.
My sweet husband suggested I find a massage therapist because I was in so much pain. Resisting the idea because I was hardly able to work and money seemed a factor, I declined. However, my husband insisted and I found a massage therapist located near my home. At the time, I was reading a book called the Prayer of Jabez. The book basically talks about how God desires for us to ask Him for blessings. I recall sitting in my car prior to my appointment with the massage therapist, and reciting the prayer in quite a bold fashion. I said, "Okay God. I ask that you BLESS me indeed, expand my territory, let Your hand be upon me and keep me from evil that I may not cause pain! I need a miracle, NOW!"
I walked into my first appointment and learned that the massage therapist not only knew about fibromyalgia, but that he also waived the co-payment fee for his patients who had the illness. I thought, "Wow, this prayer stuff really does work!" BUT, that was only the beginning of the blessing that was yet to come. By my third visit, the massage therapist told me about a protocol developed by Dr. St. Amand. He introduced Dr. St.'s book and told me that he knew people who were getting well with this thing called guaifenisin. Strangely, although my mind said this would be another one of those "treatments," my spirit absolutely KNEW this was it.
The rest is history. I connected with you, Annette. Got the book. Went to Walmart and got all my sal-free products. Each time I started a new dose of guai, I thought I was going to die. The first time, my glands swelled to balloon size. Honestly, I was tripping out! The second time, I felt like I was 100 years old. And the third time, the cycling was unrelenting and lasted for 3 weeks. I think that was the worse. BUT, no matter how much it seemed to be bad, I had a sense of hope for the first time in my life. Oh sure, my mind was skeptical. But when I could get beyond the intellectualizing and trust that God had a great plan for me, I was fine.
Now, here's the real testimony: I am now living a full life! And I mean full! Last summer, I had to decide whether I would take a bath or wash the dishes - that was the extent of my energy and ability to tolerate the pain. Now: I am working two part-time jobs, continuing with school full-time and targeting to get my Ph.D. by next year, and I can spend quality time with my husband. I still get tired, but that's after a full day of activity and not within five minutes of waking. Or if my energy is low and pain is on the high side, it is not debilitating like before. I'm sleeping better - although I still have periods of insomnia. My pain has decreased significantly. I still have my challenging days, but life is a far cry from what it was just 10 months ago. I am simply amazed. When I started the guai, I did "know" this would be the treatment that would work. However, I naturally had my doubts, particularly after all the years of disappointment with things that had not worked. But, I figured I couldn't lose anything. The guai wouldn't hurt me medically and it was cheap - ahhhhhh, music to my ears after spending sooooooo much money on things that did not work! Perhaps the most frustrating thing in the beginning was getting sal-free products and being diligent about that part of the protocol. Now that my fibro is reversing, I see I made that part of the protocol much more daunting than it really is. Truthfully, being sal-free is no big deal.
Well friend, at your request and God's prompting, I humbly submit this progress report in the hope that at least one person can be encouraged and feel hope! Much love to you and THANK YOU for your obedience to the Lord. If you had not answered the call, I wouldn't be well today. We just never know what His plan is, but we sure do get to reap the benefits when we follow it!
Love,
RaeDeen