I have been unwell for years. In fact I can't remember ever feeling well. However, in 1995 I started to have more pain than ever before. I was looking after my sister who was dying with cancer. She was 2 years older than me, so it was very difficult. My elder sister and I were taking turns caring for her. I was working as well then and not getting enough sleep. This was when I hit rock bottom.

I did not know what was wrong with me. I went to the doctor with all the normal list of complaints ~ plus headaches that went on for days. I could not go out in the sun or be in a closed room as the headaches would come on or get so bad I thought my head would burst. My head was so sore I could not touch it or brush my hair.

My whole body was sore and I ached all over ~ sore wrists so that I could not turn on taps, ribs, arms, legs, neck and back. When I went to bed, I could not sleep at night. It hurt to lie down. My nerve endings would start up and I felt like I had things crawling under my skin. I could not sit at times because my butt was so sore. The Doctor did the normal tests but found nothing wrong.

He sent me to a Rheumatologist. She said I had pain in my muscles and did not tell me anything I already did not know. I felt I had not achieved anything by going to her. She put me on Amitriptyline ~ it was meant to help my pain but all it did was give me side effects.

As time went by, my fatigue became so bad that I would get up in the morning, have a spa for my pain, then have to lie down before I could have a shower. Then I had to lie down again before I could get dressed. I had trouble doing my housework and had to do one thing at a time before lying lie down after each task.

Everything continued to get worse ~ irritable bladder, bladder infections and I was constipated all the time. Hot & cold weather affected me so much, as if my thermostat did not work. I remember telling this to my Doctor. He just looked at me like I was nuts. Now I know why!

He told me he could not say it was fibro, as he did not know enough about it, but he could send me to another Doctor who indeed confirmed that I did have fibro. So at long last, somebody was able to tell me what was wrong! Then the anticlimax ~ he just told me to carry on with my Amitriptyline but at an increased dose. This unfortunately did not help so I just had to put up with everything. I tried all sorts of painkillers but nothing relieved the situation. I just lived as best as I could. Some days I just wished I could die. If this was my life, I did not want it.

I got to the stage where I felt my life was useless, as I could not even go out in the car. The vibration of the car travelling along the road would make my nerve endings go crazy. I could not walk far at times, so if we went to the shopping mall, in ten minutes I was worn out. I got to the stage where I didn't want to bother with anything and I didn't feel like talking to people either as I was feeling so ill.

Then I heard about a Russian Doctor who did Magnetic Lazer Therapy for pain and I went to see her. She had a copy of Dr Amand's mapping tape, which she loaned to me. My husband and I viewed it and afterwards, I realised that there was some hope for me.

We read up on everything on Dr Amand's website, then ordered and read his book. We were so eager after reading this, I decided to go to Los Angeles and see Dr. St Amand. I made an appointment and immediately cleared my house of anything that had salicylates in it. I wanted to be ready to start as soon as I arrived back home.

I really felt hopeful for the first time in my life.

Dr St Amand and Claudia were so understanding. It was incredible to talk to someone that knew how I felt after all these years. Dr St Amand told me that I had probably had fibro for thirty years. Looking back now, I think it is something I have always had. I can remember having aching legs and headaches as a child and while growing up through my teenage years.

Claudia was such a good help with all the products I can use and any other questions we had at the time. She continues to be of great support to me.

I have now been on Guai for sixteen months, as what is called 'a low dose, fast responder'. This makes me cycle all the time. I belong to Dr St Amand's International Guai Group for support on the net. They have been a great help. Without them I do not know how I would have got through. However, like any fibromyalgic, I still have to pace myself. If I don't, I suffer.

Now I have some better times, my pain is not quite so bad ~ no more walking the floors at night, no more fatigue like I used to have, no more constipation, no more continuous headaches. I can do more housework and am now able to go shopping and enjoy it. I am even able to go walking every day!

I keep remembering Dr St Amand saying this protocol is not for the faint hearted. He was right, but it is very worthhile staying with it. I know I am getting my life back again and I now have something to live for........
I have hope.