Thursday, June 14, 2001

Thanks for keeping me informed with what's happening on the New Zealand Fibro-scene with the online newspages & noticeboards. I would like to quickly tell you about my journey with Fibro over the past 10 months. During this time I have been taking Guaifenesin, as per Dr R. Paul St Amand's protocol, and I have improved dramatically.

In short I have gone from hardly functioning, to now living a normal life. I am continuing to improve every month and my worst days now are better than my best days used to be. I have regained my mental agility and am working to almost my previous capabilities. I have been promoted to Manager at work and am coping well with the extra responsibilities and extra hours, when this time last year I could barely cope with my work and could not have managed any additional responsibility or demands. My pain is manageable on my bad days and I am totally pain free some of the time.

Both my sister and mother are also taking Guai with similar results. I have just started my 9-year-old is on Guai as he had reached the stage where he needed 2 x brufen daily to cope with his pain. I am looking forward to his body map improving along with his general well being, as mine has.

In short, Guai has been a miracle for my family and myself. GUAI WORKS!!

Everyone with fibro needs to know about it.

There are some protocols with diet. I have no difficulty with this. The low carbohydrate diet really suits me. I love having bacon and eggs for breakfast, and have been on a fairly restricted carbo diet anyway for the past 9 years, as I can not tolerate gluten. Interestingly enough as my fibro has improved so has my tolerance for gluten. I am hoping that eventually I will be able to eat whatever I like in moderation, however it really is not an issue for me. There are loads of other yummy things to eat and enjoy!

The other aspect of the protocol is being salicylate free. Don't worry, you can eat all salicylates except mint or mint related products. The things you have to avoid are products which contain plant extracts (which are in heaps of cosmetics, shampoos, skin care etc.) and which come into contact with your skin. The Guai support group has lists of what you can and can't use, and yes I wear makeup to work every day and I still look beautiful.

One of the most important aspects of working with this treatment is to have a doctor who is happy to treat you with Guaifenesin but more importantly is interested in Fibro and your progress. My doctor has several patients on Guai, including my mother, sister and myself. He is very well informed about both Fibro and Guai as he has been diagnosing and treating it for 20 years although not with Guai obviously.

I no longer have to manage my life around my illness, I am getting on with living a full, and rewarding life. My Doctor estimates I have had fibro for about 35 years. If this is true, then by continuing with Guai I will be able to completely reverse these 35 years of the disease over the next five years. I am really looking forward to the rest of my life. I know it will keep getting better and better, and I will be able to do more and more!

Please tell as many people about this as you can. If anyone wants to speak to me they can phone me on 04 233-0528 or 025 812-388, or email me. I am very happy to answer any questions or help anyone who needs it.

Best Wishes

Fiona P., Wngtn. (Very happy to have fibromyalgia!! )