Guaifenesin
16 Members
Created by Angel Anderson

Why would you not?

In trying to figure out my own Mother's reasoning for literally 'bargaining to NOT go on the protocol” I hit upon a real conundrum. I'm on it. I know that it works. I know that it has taken me from being bed-bound to actually looking forward to the day and having a bit of energy to accomplish something. The protocol has helped me more than any other medicine my doctor could have prescribed me.

If you see the protocol helping your friend/neighbor/relative/loved one, how could you say “no” to trying it?

Is it the very real possibility of feeling worse before you feel better? Is it hearing about 'guai cycles' that terrifies you? Is it giving up salicylate products? Does it seem like too much trouble?

What would you be willing to do to feel better, if not this?

I know that this is a really tough question and this has the possibility of turning into an angry/hot topic but I really do look forward to the varied responses. Everyone has their own reason for saying yes/no to a certain type of treatment for pain.

33 months ago
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  • Glenda

    I was terrified of actually getting worse before I got better.  I was already non-functional, had taken a leave of absence from work and at my witts end.  But then, after being taken off Lyrica, I finally decided it couldn't BE any worse.  But you know what?  It was.  I vowed to stick to it for 6 months and re-evaluate then.  I have been disuaded by family, friends and even my PCP who did not want to see me in so much pain.

    As you know Angel, I'm taking a break right now b/c of my shoulder.  I look back at my journal and see how exhausted I was before the protocol.  That was the first thing to go for me.  It hasn't returned, and I started taking guai friendly supplements for energy so it has gotten even better.  Many of my previous entries talk about how "Its great-and not so great to have so much energy when I hurt soooo bad.  Now I can't just go to sleep for hours on end and escape it! LOL  I want to get the shoulder/neck thing under control so I can return to guai and see if the pain will start to subside as well.

    Some people have to hit bottom before they are willing to risk the possibility of "getting worse."  Some people's bottom is lower than others.  As friends and relatives watch and see you getting better and better, they will eventually come around (I think) and at least give it a try.  But each of us has to do it in their own time.

    I know it has been great since I found your community (and blog) where I can share and compare what is going on with our bodies.  Thanks bunches!

    33 months ago

  • Angel

    My own story is similar. I hit rock bottom when over a period of around 5 months went through every drug out on the market. None of them worked and the majority of them made me worse. Doing research I stumbled upon the guaifenesin protocol. I thought, "surely SOMEthing has to work!!" I was in a black hole of pain. There was only one direction to go in and that was up.

    You're right, Glenda. "It's great- and not so great having so much energy." It seems to be a double edged sword. At least until the majority of the pain subsides or is more manageable. The first 3 or 4 months on the protocol are truly the worst, I think. But once you are on your 'perfect dose' for a while it... kinda evens out, I guess. The pain lessens gradually.

    Sleeping is a bitch and a half, in my opinion. You're right also in that you really can't sleep away those hurting hours. You actually want to get up and DO stuff, ya know? You rationalize it saying, 'what if I feel truly awful tomorrow? I better get stuff done today then!' But when you get to the point where you think you can predict what tomorrow will bring this sense of urgency passes and you become calmer.

    I think that being on the right meds to compliment the guai is key, too. Vitamins, but also things like mild muscle relaxers, anti-depressants, pain relievers, mild anti-anxiety meds.... they help to smooth out those rough edges and tough days to make them more manageable. Guai isn't a quick fix or magic pill. It's the combination of other meds taken WITH guai which can help the most.

    I tend to think of this array of meds I take as "complimentary medicine." The guai is the real wonder drug that is doing me the most good in truly reversing the damage. The muscle relaxers, anti-anxiety, anti-depressants, etc only make the healing time more bearable for me while the guai does it's job. That's how I look at it. Eventually I'll be able to ween myself off the majority of these meds.

    33 months ago

  • Glenda

    I would be interested to see how others on the site might answer this.  Posed as, say you had a daughter, or friend who...

    33 months ago

  • Angel

    A daughter or a friend who.... you told about a really great medication which WORKED and....?

    Yeah. Me too.

    But I think the word about this community will slowly get out there.... maybe that's best. Anne Hillebrand's twisted version of the protocol and her spamming ways has left a bitter taste in a lot of our mouths here. And hearts. It's going to be an uphill battle, for sure.

    I'd love to hear some people from the guaigroup join in!!! Heck, I can't even figure out how to log in there. Not that I really want to. I kinda prefer this open forum here. But I am curious about how different it is there compared to here.

    33 months ago

  • Angel

    Alteril is pretty much pure salicylates. 

    And I agree that you should be loyal to yourself and your wellbeing but if you're trying too many things at once and some of them are contradicting each other then you're going to run into the problem of not being able to figure out what's really working for you.

    If you use salicylates while taking guaifenesin then you're negating the guaifenesin.

    23 months ago

  • Jill

    I also use the Fatigued to Fantastic SHINE protocol and have added this med, I see no reason not to mix and match and find out what works for my particular body. I'm not being disloyal to anyone, just loyal to myself and my wellbeing.

    Jill in TX

    24 months ago

  • Jill

    I forgot to add, I use Alterile which I get OTC at Walmart and I do sleep very well FYI, did you know that most meds are prescribed for 140 lb males (approx) so I have found that at my weight when I take 3 tabs instead of 2, it works much better for me. I am asleep within the hour.
    Alteril has in it:
    L-Tryptophan
    Valerian Root Extract
    GABA
    Passion Flower Herb Extract
    Hops
    Skullcap Extract
    Chamomile Herb
    Glycine
    and some fillers that seem innocuous
    Jill in TX.

    24 months ago

  • Angel

    Jill, I'm not sure exactly why, but somehow my response to your two messages got pushed ABOVE yours! lol

    WeAreFibro's tech at its best....


    23 months ago

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