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I have suffered from sleep disturbance problems since I was about 4.
I have never awakened and felt refreshed, and usually awoke dozens of times during the night. I was suffering from significant pain by the time I was a teenager. I can only remember when I first realized I was in abnormal pain - not when it started. I also suffered with significant female problems, including depression. During college, the pain level became significant enough to require trips to a chiropractor. By my late twenties I required powerful pain medications. At 36, while pregnant with my second son, I stopped going to sleep and the symptoms escalated rapidly. After his birth I went on Elavil, and was put on a sleep apnea breathing machine. Finally for the first time in my life I slept through the night. Through prayer, drugs and various nutritional supplements I was able to keep the symptoms to a level where I could still work as a secondary school science teacher, but I was not much help as a wife or mother. But, gradually the pain levels, fatigue and depression became worse and worse. Today, I am on Effexor, skelaxin and ultram.
My father and brother have also been diagnosed with FMS. We feel certain that my grandfather also had it. My father and brother first developed chronic symptoms in their thirties.
Last summer, while
surfing the net, I discovered the web site of Dr. Devin Starlanyl.
She has FMS and has written several books. She indicated that she was taking guaifenesin according to a protocol developed by Dr. Paul St. Amand, and that she was much better after having begun his therapy. I went to Dr. St. Amand's web site [www.guaidoc.com] and read about his treatment protocol. In mid-August, with the support of my personal physician, I began the protocol. Almost immediately my symptoms flared. I am one of the fortunate people who responds quickly, on the lowest dose (300 mg twice daily). I cycled hard for 3 months (very severe FMS symptoms), but by early November I was much improved. By Christmas, my reflexologist judged my muscles to be 40-50% improved. My energy level is tremendously improved. Pain is localized in a few spots instead of body wide. The depression and mental fog are all but gone. The morning stiffness is hardly noticeable most days. I still have bad days, but nothing like before starting the guai. The "rule of thumb"; is that it takes 2 months on guai to reverse 1 year of symptoms. Quick responders like me accelerate that rate. I truly believe that Dr. St. Amand finally understands the cause and has the best treatment for FMS. Since the treatment protocol is still being developed, the protocol does involve some trial and error and commitment on the part of the FMS sufferer. The only alternative, however, is to keep getting worse and worse. Dr. St. Amand believes that eventually we will develop osteoarthritis if we let the disease continue, and that all who stick with the protocol and find their correct dose will reverse to the point of no/very few FMS symptoms. I urge you to try this treatment option. I do not stand to gain anything except a new friend and the knowledge I have helped a fellow FMily member. If I can answer questions personally for you I encourage you to contact me via email. God Bless.
Susan Lynn Lomax
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