Vicki's Testimony
Oh shoots! Everyone has heard my story, right, gang? Ok, one more time:
Once upon a time...
I moved to Hawaii a little more than 4 years ago because I was sure I was dying and I wanted to be in a beautiful place during my time left on earth. I felt horrible, wasn't able to work any longer, and had just been bitten badly by my sister's dog in the face (so I must have looked like death warmed over!). Figured I could be on disability on the mainland or here. I chose here! Good choice, huh?
I had suffered strange symptoms all my life. My father had been in pain all the time I knew him and had complained constantly about how much he always hurt. I was athletic and active when I was young and was determined not to bother anyone with my problems so I kept them to myself. But by the time I moved here, I really was going into seclusion. I didn't even want to bother my kids with my aches and pains. My whole family was worried about me and I m sure they thought it was all in my head because I didn't LOOK like I was hurting. But my very closest friends knew I was covering up something. I can remember my friend in chorus watching my face during rehearsals to see if I suddenly turned pale. She would run and get a chair for me before even I realized I was in trouble!
Anyway, it was hard for me to admit that I had reached a point that I couldn't be useful anymore. But I'm such a stubborn person. When I found my retreat out here in Makaha, I spent my days inside watching the mountain behind me (gorgeous) and the beautiful view of the ocean through the front windows. Once a day, I would try to drive down to Makaha Beach, carry my little beach chair and book through the sand, and plant myself out there to read and watch the sun set. Wonderful for the soul, you know. Then I would talk myself into dragging myself back up to the car, where I would sit with my head on the steering wheel for about 10 minutes before driving home and climbing the stairs to my third story apt. I bought one on the third floor on purpose, so I was forced to get some exercise!
All along, I was searching the Internet for information on my symptoms and I finally ran across something on a guaifenesin treatment that some people were saying was helpful for them. So I made myself an appointment with a rheumy (my practitioner didn't even know I did it!) and gave him copies of the info I had found and asked him if I had FMS. Dr. Alan Oki did some quick trigger point checks and said that I did and proceeded to tell me that FMS was a disease that had no cure, was progressive, that I would feel worse and worse, and all he could do for me was try to treat the symptoms. I left the office crying. 2 weeks later, after beginning HIS choice of drugs and water exercises, I returned to his office and he told me about Annette, gave me her e-mail address and suggested that I get Dr. St.'s book. He said he was pleased with her progress and that I might want to try that guaifenesin treatment I had brought him info about. So I contacted Annette and she told me about this dinner some others who were doing the guai protocol were having and asked me if I'd like to join them.
We had our first meeting in April of 2001 where we talked about our symptoms I was happy to see that we were all able to laugh about our terrible fog. I told them how I had gotten to the point where I would go to pick up an Rx and stop at all the places along Farrington Hwy. along the way to Longs, pulling into the post office parking lot, then the bank, then Tamura's market, trying to figure out if it was there that I was supposed to be. It was nice to find a group of ladies who understood what I was talking about and who didn't think I was crazy!
I started the treatment the following week, after making sure my sals were eliminated. It took me quite a while to find my dose. I kept thinking something was wrong with me. Wondered why everyone else was cycling nicely and I was still titrating up. We brought in some mappers from Kauai and they mapped me at 2400 mg. and I my left thigh was still full of lumps. A couple of months later, I was mapped again at 4200 mg. and I still had some deposits on the thigh so I titrated up to 4800 and suddenly my terrible fog lifted! Then life came back to my big toes and the toenails turned back from yellow and thick to pink and normal looking! I was on my way. I also went on the strict HG diet and lost 35 lbs. in 3 and a half months! I never experienced the increase in pain that most people do. I've just slowly.... VERY slowly....improved over the time since then. I did block once on soap and once on Acacia in my vitamins, but I've been pretty careful and have steadily improved.
It's interesting that just about the time I began the protocol, I met a very nice man who has watched me improve over the years. He's been amazed at the change. When we first went out, I wasn't able to do much more than go out to eat, walk a little, and rest. I also sang in a Sweet Adelines chorus and on Tues. nights, I'd stand and sit and lie on the risers for a couple of hours and then go home and recuperate for about 3 days! I'm now not only singing in 2 quartets, but I'm directing the chorus! And, as you know, I was trained by those mappers from Kauai and am now a useful member of society again! I'm a mapper and I get to pay it all forward. Life is really good.
That's my story...and it continues to be amazing to me. It just gets better every day. And it's what I wish for every person on this island who is beginning the treatment!
Love to you all,
Vicki