posted
I've had a cold since late last week. I was taking mucinex d until saturday pm.
I noticed friday and saturday I had a decrease in my painful lyme symptoms and a very tiny decrease in neuro symptoms. Now all the pain is back and neuro is still a little quieter.
I was told a long time ago when my dx was fibromyalgia about guaifenesin treatment. Has anyone used this for Lyme and had success?
I'm just wondering if it was a coincidence or if I should start taking guaifenesin on a regular basis.
-------------------- I have Lyme - but it doesn't have me. Posts: 70 | From ohio | Registered: Sep 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Not a coincidence at all. I've noticed when taking guaifenesin to quiet a cough for a couple days that my pain level is also much less.
I considered the protocol years ago and was set to take part in the trial. But they eliminated me in the final cut due to my past ulcer history.
So, I tried it on my own. They were right. After just a few days, guaifenesin nearly ate my stomach lining. It can cause ulcers. As many with lyme already have "leaky gut" and a compromised stomach lining, I'm not so sure it's the best approach.
Now, for a couple days if necessary for a cough or to subdue pain, there may be other things to take with it to protect the stomach. But there are other options, too. Thread to follow.
The guaifenesin protocol also requires avoiding certain leafy greens when on the actual protocol.
I think that is not good for us as we REALLY need leafy greens with every meal, in abundance. Greens are our life blood, in no uncertain terms.
Still, if you want to learn more about that, many good informational links pop up with a search at Google for:
LymeNet Archives � search in �subject� bar of medical forum
A search for 'guaifenesin' - 7 matches found -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Most fibromyalgics and I assume many lyme patients have thick secretions. Mucus seems to be one that is hard to expel. It's possible that you are experiencing a beneficial effect from thinning secretions. The marshmallow herb might have a similar effect from what I've heard.
I was on the guaifenesin protocol for 10 years. It can help but it requires avoidance of salicylates in topicals and medications in order for it to work and you don't start feeling better usually for months to years.
You cannot use medicinal strength herbs, shampoos or personal care products etc. etc... You can eat leafy greens and food with salicylates but nothing that is super concentrated like herbal medicinal products. It is a complex protocol to follow.
The guaifiensin protocol typically causes increased pain once it starts to work. In a 2006 lyme conference I read that one doctor said he thought it helped by removing built up debri that was causing problems with energy production. As far as I know, that is pure speculation as are the theories of the guaifenesin protocol originator Dr. Paul St. Amand. St. Amand does not believe lyme or infection is part of the picture in his treatment of fibromyalgia.
edited to add: It took care of my multiple chemical sensitivity but increased by pain considerably. Even after years of not following the protocol I still am not bothered by MCS symptoms nearly as bad.
Hope that helps, Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Terry makes excellent points. I had forgotten that this protocol requires avoiding nearly all support supplements -
- and that the doctor does not "believe" in borrelia (even after so many with previously misdiagnosed FM have been found to have lyme). . . so he's looking at just one spot on the map, nowhere else.
It's one thing to focus on one aspect but it's best after taking into account the whole terrain for other cause-effect connections. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Hi keeb, you wrote: I had forgotten that this protocol requires avoiding nearly all support supplements
There are actually a suprising number of supplements that one can use just not whole herbs. Many supplements are chemical extractions of the active ingredient of an herb. The website that I gave above has a huge list of supplements and personal products that are safe.
From what I could tell, St. Amand probably believes in lyme or at least the short term acute lyme but does not believe it is the cause of illness for ppl with fibromyalgia.
His whole family has fibromyalgia.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Thanks, Terry. I prefer to do the herbs and not the chemical versions, though it's good to be straight about that just for reference. Anyway, my stomach could not tolerate guif.
Thanks for clearing up my interpretations regarding Dr. St.A's thoughts, too. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Keeb
I'm with you for the most part on whole herbs vs chemical extractions.
Many supplements are made similar to pharmaceuticals and those are often the ones that are OK with the guaifenesin protocol.
For example, a single chemical in an herb is thought to be effective for a certain problem so that chemical is extracted from the herb and concentrated in order to have a stronger efffect. The rest of the herb is discarded and all that is left is the "active" ingredient. Then fillers are added. These products are often advertised as "natural".
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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