Guaifenesin Protocol Question
Hello all! I have been a member here for some time, but I don't think I ever posted before. I am from Canada, 24 years old, fighting with Fibro for the last 10 years at least. Finally got a diagnosis in March of 2009 after struggling all through high school and essentially being told "welcome to adult life" whenever I tried talking to someone about my symptoms. -.-
I have tried a few different things for my pain, but my fiance and I are both pretty anti-heavy-medication (read: anti-narcotics... I'd rather be in pain than be dependent or addicted). Combine that with the fact that I have a very limited job and no insurance, and I can't afford fad drugs like Lyrica and Cymbalta.
So far I have tried amitriptyline, gabapentin and diet to control my fibro. The Ami and the Gaba were playing games with my head and I was finding minimal pain relief for a tradeoff of mucho side effects. My GP is very pushy about having me try Lyrica, but I can't afford it. He gave me a month's worth of Cymbalta to try, but that isn't much better cost-wise. And I am worried about Savella because I have heart problems and I read a lot about blood pressure issues with Savella. So there are the three "official" meds, crossed off my list.
I have read a lot about Guaifenesin as a fibro treatment, and I am really intrigued to try it. It seems to have no side effects and even though there is some "controversy" around it due to lack of official scientific proof of why it works, it seems to help a great deal of people with Fibro.
So here is my question/concern. I also have fairly aggressive Ulcerative Colitis and have to take Asacol daily. Thankfully, the dosage is small because I seem to be in remission, but any time I have tried to stop entirely I wind up nearly hospitalized. The Guaifenesin protocol website says that all salicylates need to be eliminated from day to day consumption (food excluded). It isn't a drug interaction, but rather an enzymatic thing where the salicylates bind to the receptors needed by the Guaifenesin. So there is no benefit. Now, only about 20% of the Asacol I take is actually absorbed into my blood, the rest is passed, so it isn't like I am absorbing a huge amount of it to block the receptors.
I guess I am wondering if anyone in the community has used Guaifenesin before, what was your experience with it, and how closely did you monitor your salicylate "use" (in things like toothpaste, makeup, medicines, etc.).
Thanks!
I have tried a few different things for my pain, but my fiance and I are both pretty anti-heavy-medication (read: anti-narcotics... I'd rather be in pain than be dependent or addicted). Combine that with the fact that I have a very limited job and no insurance, and I can't afford fad drugs like Lyrica and Cymbalta.
So far I have tried amitriptyline, gabapentin and diet to control my fibro. The Ami and the Gaba were playing games with my head and I was finding minimal pain relief for a tradeoff of mucho side effects. My GP is very pushy about having me try Lyrica, but I can't afford it. He gave me a month's worth of Cymbalta to try, but that isn't much better cost-wise. And I am worried about Savella because I have heart problems and I read a lot about blood pressure issues with Savella. So there are the three "official" meds, crossed off my list.
I have read a lot about Guaifenesin as a fibro treatment, and I am really intrigued to try it. It seems to have no side effects and even though there is some "controversy" around it due to lack of official scientific proof of why it works, it seems to help a great deal of people with Fibro.
So here is my question/concern. I also have fairly aggressive Ulcerative Colitis and have to take Asacol daily. Thankfully, the dosage is small because I seem to be in remission, but any time I have tried to stop entirely I wind up nearly hospitalized. The Guaifenesin protocol website says that all salicylates need to be eliminated from day to day consumption (food excluded). It isn't a drug interaction, but rather an enzymatic thing where the salicylates bind to the receptors needed by the Guaifenesin. So there is no benefit. Now, only about 20% of the Asacol I take is actually absorbed into my blood, the rest is passed, so it isn't like I am absorbing a huge amount of it to block the receptors.
I guess I am wondering if anyone in the community has used Guaifenesin before, what was your experience with it, and how closely did you monitor your salicylate "use" (in things like toothpaste, makeup, medicines, etc.).
Thanks!