Emerging Courageous Newsletter 27- Pain Free
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel, Editor
July 28, 2003
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Note: My computer specialist “helper” wiped all my email away… everything I ever stored… so if you do not receive a response from me from something you sent me…please resend… Marilyn
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Today's Message: Essentially Pain Free for the Moment…
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel July 28, 2003
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For the first time in over thirty years, I woke up this morning essentially pain free. For the past eight years I have been diligently seeking treatment for my chronic back pain and muscular achiness that was diagnosed as Fibromyalgia in 1989. I have been trying the fibro/guai protocal since I was told about it at a massage Trigger Point workshop June 22nd this year. Then I pulled up the www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com site and starting immediately on the guaifenesin. I taken it off and on for my allergies with some success for the last few years but it didn't seem to last. At that time I didn’t realize you also needed to avoid salicylates as well. I started on the minimum dose of 300 mg and have been on 600 mg since 6/30/03 This week I noticed the muscular pain dissipating. Then when I arose this morning…essentially, the pain was gone! For the first time in over eight years, the muscular aching and stiffness that plagued me at night and first thing upon arising and that prevented me sleeping and constantly nagged at me during the waking hours, the pain was essentially gone.
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I also had been diagnosed with sleep apnea a year ago and had been struggling with various sleep masks during that time and was getting little sleep with numerous interruptions. It seemed to be getting worse lately. Unable to find one that fit properly or didn’t leak or cause pressure on my skull, I put aside the sleep mask for a month. With a new one, I started back a few weeks ago on 7/8/03 after starting new meds for bi/polar symptoms. I began with a minute dose of topamax and now am taking 45 mg at night along with 3 mg melatonin. It seems to take the anxiety away about using the sleep mask and I am able to tolerate it easier. Emotional swings have stabilized. No more ups 'n downs lately. I’m sleeping between 6-7 hours with 3-5 interruptions.... which is fantastic!!! I’m not falling asleep driving around town anymore!!! (which had become a problem) Only other meds I'm taking are norvasc 5 mg for blood pressure and prevacid 30 mg for acid reflux. One problem seems to feed on the others. 
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Now I have heard lots of horror stories of cycling from the guai since reading the posts on the fibro/guai site and that scares me. Especially since I am finally having relief for the first time in years. I want this effect to last. It seems like I have finally found a combination of things that are working for me after all this time and I want it to continue. Of course all this is along with regular Therapeutic Massage, Meditation, Osteopathic Adjustments, recently Physical Therapy, and continuous Psychotherapy. Everything working together finally is helping me be pain free. If this continues, no telling what they have unleashed....LOL...Lovingly, Marilyn
www.emergingcourageous.com
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Twelve ways to keep smiling 
Hold on to your dreams and never let them go,
Show the rest of the world what I already know: how wonderful you are! 
Give circumstances a chance, and give others the benefit of the doubt. 
Wish on a star that shines in your sky...
Take on your problems one by one and work things out.
Rely on all the strengths you have inside. 
Let loose of the spark and spirit that you sometimes try to hide. 
Stay in touch with those who touch your life with love.
Look on the bright side and don’t let adversity keep you from winning. 
Be yourself because you are filled with special qualities that have brought you this far. 
and that will always see you through. 
Keep your spirits up. 
Make your heart happy and reflect on everything you do. 
Written by~Douglas Pagels
made me think of you...Carol Catalano aka spirit spirit0323voyager.net
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Quotes Worth Sharing:
*** “Your smile is the first opportunity you have to make a difference in the lives of those around you.” Josh Hinds
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***"Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible. This power becomes available to you just as soon as you can change your beliefs."
Maxwell Maltz [email protected]
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Featured Story this month in 
Emerging Courageous Online Magazine includes
"Courage - A Many Splendored Thing" by Betty Harrod Gibbs
http://www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/stories/July2003/courage.htm
Please ask your family and friends to stop and visit the site and see the featured stories about everyday courage... including yours...Thank you for sharing your insights into courage. Marilyn D. Pfanstiel, Editor
http://www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/newstories.htm
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From the Mailbag: 
* July 28, 2003 Thank you so much for publishing my story. I really enjoy your format. It is very professional. I wish you blessings in your endeavors. Sincerely, Annettee Budzban
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* July 28,2003 Thank you so much for featuring my work in this month's Emerging Courageous Online Magazine. I would very much like to submit other works to you, and I see that you have that opportunity available. That is wonderful. You do amazing work with your online magazine. Keep it up! *smiles*Thank you again for the "head's up" about this issue. I am now a subscriber! Blessings, Janeane [email protected] 
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*July 25, 2003 Thanks so much for your kind words about "Left Behind." I took a look at your site and it's just wonderful! I would love to submit some work to you and will do so as soon as I can. You have a long list of wonderful authors (many of whom I have known and read before--very talented bunch of folks!) and I would consider myself fortunate to be counted among them if I were to be published. You can be very proud of the fine, caring work you're doing for others. I have Lupus and Fibromyalgia, along with a host of other annoying little disorders to accompany them, and chronic pain is my constant companion. I'm so happy you were able to find a way to conquer, or at least control, yours and in so doing, become determined to help others "emerge courageous." I tip my hat to you :-) Blessings, Deb Simmons 
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*July 19, 2003 How are things going for you at EMERGING COURAGEOUS? That is a REALLY great site you have there, and I know you help brighten many lives. Rita Simmons 
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Emerging Courageous Online Magazine New Poetry and Stories Featured
http://www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/newstories.htm
http://www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/newpoetry.htm
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“Those who reach…touch the stars.” Author unknown…
Keep reaching….Marilyn
www.emergingcourageous.com 
[email protected]
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