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Concurrent Use of GuaifenesinGuaifenesin |
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GuaifenesinFor many years, Dr. Paul St. Amand MD has argued that the root of the problem for people with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome lies in excess phosphates not being eliminated by the kidneys. These excess phosphates are then forced into storage in the organs, where, it is his belief, they start a cascade of problems resulting in symptoms of pain, "brain-fog", VV, sleep disturbance, interstitial cystitis, fatigue, IBS, depression, anxiety and muscle weakness. |
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Dr. P. St. Amand proceeded to treat his FMS/CFS patients with several
agents which had both anticoagulant and uricosuric properties.(1)
He settled on guaifenesin, a pharmaceutical with muscle relaxant,
anticoagulant and insignificant uricosuric properties(2)
as being the most appropriate. |
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One small controlled clinical trail (3) did not support
Dr. P. St. Amand's treatment protocol. Dr. St. Amand claims this
was because the study did not include the elimination of salicylic
acid and that salicylic acid blocked guaifenesin. Dr. R. Bennett,
the lead researcher, counters that if that were the case subjects'
levels of uric acid output would have reflected this, which they
didn't. |
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In spite of the lack of scientific support, large numbers of people have tried Dr. P. St. Amand's protocol. Many have found using guaifenesin helpful in the long run, others have not. As the guaifenesin begins to work, people at first feel significantly worse, for weeks or years, and then hopefully begin to feel better in fits and starts. |
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Guaifenesin and Custom HomeopathicsIn the beginning of this project, the development of the homeopathics
leaned heavily on Dr. P. St. Amand's work. After our original group
of 20 research participants, many of the people who tried the homeopathic
remedies were people who were also taking guaifenesin. There is
a variety of reasons that people on guaifenesin give for taking
the homeopathics. Some were happy with the initial results of guaifenesin,
and now, after a number of years feel their progress has stalled.
Others are looking for an alternative to guaifenesin because the
very intrusive salicylic acid restrictions which accompany the guaifenesin
protocol interfere with their jobs or lifestyle. For others, the
symptom exacerbation or side effects are too severe to continue
with the guaifenesin, or the periodic hair loss too disturbing.
Still others find that guaifenesin was not resulting in any positive
results for them. Some continue to take guaifenesin along with their
Custom Homeopathics remedies. Most decide to discontinue guaifenesin
once they have confidence that they are releasing phosphates with
the Custom Homeopathics remedies. |
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Dr. P. St. Amand theorizes that guaifenesin works by helping the phosphates circumvent a filtering problem in the kidneys, thus "escorting" the phosphates out of the body. The "escorting" that guaifenesin appears to do is considered a life long process. |
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Differences and SimilaritiesThe two big differences between the Custom Homeopathics and guaifenesin are:
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The things that are the same for the C-HP remedies and guaifenesin are:
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Taking Guaifenesin and Custom Homeopathics ConcurrentlyA number of people take both guaifenesin and the homeopathics.
C-HPs will not interfere with guaifenesin. The remedies do not contain
any salicylic acid. Guaifenesin will not interfere with the C-HP
remedies. |
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Many people want to discontinue their guaifenesin before or as soon as they begin the C-HP kidney remedies. While we can sympathize with this, we do not recommend it. Especially for long time users, suddenly stopping guaifenesin is a major adjustment for the body. To ask the body for that adjustment at the same time that the C-HPs are "reminding/stimulating" the body to release long stored substances is too much to ask of the body all at once. |
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The NO Additional Pain PlanWhen we started, increased cycling occurred for people who were
taking guaifenesin and the remedies concurrently. The dosage that
worked well for people who had never taken guaifenesin was too high
for those who were taking or had taken guaifenesin. This resulted
in harsh cycles for the first brave souls who took the remedies,
until we found the right dosage of the remedies for those who were/had
taken guaifenesin. We later found that the same happened for those
who were using antidepressants. We theorize that this is due to
the load on the liver from metabolizing these two pharmaceuticals,
which reduces the liver's capacity to process other toxins released
through the C-HP remedies. |
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This problem has been resolved, and the only problem that still surfaces sometimes with concurrent use is due to the difference in mindset related to taking guaifenesin and the C-HP remedies. Many taking guaifenesin "tough it out" during the increased pain of the guaifenesin cycles by reminding themselves that guaifenesin is for "the bold of heart" and "that pain means gain". When these same people are instructed to reduce the dosage of the homeopathic remedies if they experience increased pain, it runs to counter to their "pain means gain" belief. They find it difficult to comprehend that "toughing it out" serves no purpose and may be counter productive with the C-HP remedies. We are finding this is less of a problem as people are becoming more informed, reminded and supported on the support lines by those who have taken the C-HP remedies previously. |
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References:1. Archives of <GUAI-SUPPORT@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU> Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 12:04:50 EST 2. Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia 13th Ed., Reynolds, James E.F. Editor. The Pharmaceutical Press London 1993:"Although guaifenesin may lower serum urate concentrations in patients with hyperuricemia(a) it effects in these patients and in healthy subjects is not considered significant"(b) (a) Ramsdell CM et all Uricosuric effect of glyceral guaiacolate. J Rheumatol. 1974 Mar;1(1):114-6. (b) Matheson C E et al The effect of acute guaifenesin administration on serum acid. Drug Intell Clin Pharm 1982; 16: 332-4 3. Robert Bennett, Patricia deGarmo and Sharon Clark, A 1 year double blind, placebo-controlled study of guaifenesin in fybromyalgia. Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR |
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