Cingles Info

Yea I am back!!! they said it all looked really good down there and that I have
grade 1 varices thanks for your concern Dana! Sees Ya Mykal

Pam,
Have you tried this or know weather it would be harmful with hepc?
You are the medical guru! LOL Hugs......Dana

http://www.sover.net/~devstar/guai.htm
Adapted from "Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival
Manual", 2nd edition, 2001. Devin J. Starlanyl © 2001, New Harbinger. All
rights reserved.
Please be aware that we cannot hope to put all the information from ours
and several other books for patients on these disorders. Please get additional
information from one of these sources. We have listed some in the bibliography.
Fibromyalgia and Guaifenesin
by Devin J. Starlanyl
Excess calcium and inorganic phosphate may cause a hyper-permeability
problem in the mitochondria (Savage and Reed, 1994). This may be part of what
happens in FMS. Dr. R. Paul St. Amand believes FMS is caused by an abnormality
in phosphate excretion, which may be due to a genetic defect. Retention of
phosphates eventually interferes with energy production in affected cells. One
study (Bengtsson, Henriksson, and Larsson, 1986) found a twenty-percent
reduction in the level of ATP in muscle biopsies taken from people with FMS.
Excess phosphate in the mitochondria, your power-generating factories, slows
formation of ATP because of the presence of excess inorganic phosphate. Muscle
pain after exercise is also linked with an inorganic phosphate increase
(Aldridge, Cady, Jones et al. 1986).
Calcium is the main buffer for phosphate. Whenever and wherever excess
phosphate builds up in cells, excess calcium does too. About forty percent of a
cell's energy is expended in moving calcium in and out of storage or out of the
cell completely. Since energy needs are poorly met in FMS because of
insufficient ATP, calcium is allowed to sit too long where it is no longer
needed.
Guaifenesin (guai) is usually an ingredient in cold preparations. In 1530,
in its original form, a tree bark extract called guaiacum, it was in use for
rheumatism. In the new PDR for Herbal Medicines [in ref] guaiacum officinale is
again indicated for rheumatism. Over twenty years ago it was synthesized, named
guaifenesin, and pressed into tablets. Guai is totally absorbed through the
intestinal tract within two hours after you take it. There are timed-release
forms.
Dr. St. Amand found a sixty-percent increase in phosphate excretion and a
thirty-percent increase in oxalate and calcium excretion with guai therapy. I
believe the phosphoric and oxalic acids coming out in the urine (and sweat) may
carry with them other excess acids which may be significant. We don't know. I
believe some of the guai effects may be mechanical, by thinning thick, sticky
FMS secretions.
About 20 percent of Dr. St. Amand's patients go through FMS reversal
relatively quickly at 300 mg twice a day. If the cyclic process hasn't started
in two weeks, patients are raised to 600 mg twice a day. Seventy percent of all
patients experience reversal at that dose. Another twenty percent need 1800 mg
a day. The final ten percent require 2400 mg or more per day. When the first
cycle begins, there is usually a period of flu-like fatigue as stored toxins and
excess phosphates start releasing. Your body works hard to process chemical
toxins and excess materials so that they can be excreted. For the first few
months, expect to spit out mucus that has been clogging your airways. Headaches
are very common during this process. You may have other symptoms, including
strong smelling perspiration and urine and burning on urination (excess acid
phosphates are excreted). Your urine may become very dark. You may be sore in
the crease between your buttocks and in the perineal area, and need to use a
protective ointment or cream.
It is important to follow the guaifenesin protocol. Do not change your
dosage of guai or any other medication without talking to your doctor. Keep
track of what happens. Start slowly by taking 300 mg of guaifenesin twice a
day. Take 300 mg twice a day for one week. If you become distinctly worse, you
have found the dosage right for you. If you are especially sensitive to
medications, you may want to begin with less. Take it slowly, and give your
body a chance to detoxify the material that is being released. When you reach
your dose, your symptoms will get worse. The signs and symptoms in reversal are
not side effects of guaifenesin. They are from the chemical toxins and wastes
being released by the guai and are good signs, although they won't feel like it
at the time. Salicylates in medication and herbal products can block the action
of guaifenesin. Blocking effects vary with the individual.
Guai therapy for FMS is not simple. Doctors can't just prescribe the
medication and expect symptom remission. St. Amand begins by taking a careful
medical history of the patient. He examines the patient for swollen areas,
which he maps. As patients progress, the symptoms tend to disappear in the
reverse order in which they first appeared. Patients with reactive hypoglycemia
must be on a balanced diet for the reversal to be evident. This means no excess
carbohydrates. I have found that the Zone-type diet works well, although it
must be tailored to individual needs. Guaifenesin therapy seems to result in
remission of symptoms for many people. There may be co-existing conditions,
such as myofascial TrPs, that also need attention, and you may have other
perpetuating factors that must also be identified and addressed.
The only double-blinded study on FMS guaifenesin therapy was done at the
University of Oregon. This study of 20 women showed guaifenesin equal to
placebo. The study was flawed, through no fault of the researchers, because:
1. The study was started before we knew the signs of reversal are not
obvious if uncontrolled reactive hypoglycemia is present. No one knew how common
reactive hypoglycemia or insulin resistance is.
2. All the patients in the study were given 600 mg guai twice a day. Dr.
St. Amand has found that only about 50 percent of patients respond at this
dosage; and even in these patients, the reversal won't be evident if they have
reactive hypoglycemia and are eating excess carbohydrates. The dosage must be
individually tailored.
3. Dr. St. Amand did not know about the blockage of guai by some
salicylate-containing herbs until September 1995. The study ended in June 1995.
Each of us has a varying tolerance of salicylates. It has been my observation
that when someone who is successfully cycling on guai calls me about a sudden
downturn, we invariably find a blocking agent. When it is removed, the patient
starts to improve once again.
4. Some people say Dr. St. Amand's patients feel better because he's
charismatic. He is. But how can these positive attributes cause me to have
dark, smelly, acidic urine that cleans iron stains off my toilet bowl? Toilet
bowls do not respond to the placebo effect.
Dr. St. Amand and I agree to disagree on some issues. I don't understand
how guai works, but I have seen many patients get a new lease on life with guai
and have experienced it myself. If you wish to learn more about guai, read
"What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia" (Reading List). Some of
the data from this section is adapted from this book, with permission from the
authors. There is a guai Internet support group and website and an
international support group.
Dr. St. Amand and I both feel that guai therapy should take place under
doctor's supervision. Avoid over-the-counter forms of guaifenesin that have
other ingredients in them, such as alcohol or sugar. Avoid any medications that
have pseudoephedrine. Research indicates that epinephrine-like products may
worsen fibromyalgia symptoms. Guai may be purchased over-the-counter through
Hyrex Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-238-5282, 3494 Democrat Road, Memphis, TN 38118,
and they will ship to other countries. The author has no connection with this
company.
Addendum:
When one of my local support group members told me that the FDA was
changing its stance on guaifenesin, I contacted the expert, Dr. Paul St. Amand.
I found that after November 1st, 2003, guaifenesin will no longer require a
prescription but will be available in over-the-counter form. Dr. St.Amand told
me the following:
"There is a shortage of guaifenesin developing. Adams Company, Texas,
made a long-acting (12 hour) guaifenesin and proved it did indeed last for about
twelve hours. They were given permission to sell it over the counter. This
happened in July or so 2002.
"In October 2002 the FDA instructed all other companies to stop
manufacturing guaifenesin since they had never proven they were long-acting
(after 25 years) though all of them are (8-12 hours). The FDA has further
ordered that all guaifenesin that is not approved as long-acting must be removed
from pharmacy shelves by November 1, 2003.
"The law is that once a drug is made non-prescriptive, all of them must be
such. In other words, all of the companies must now prove they're long acting.
Those who do will also be over-the-counter drugs. We think a few are trying to
comply by the November date.
"One Company in Santa Barbara, CA, has obtained permission from Adams to
sell its product "Mucinex" under a different label. After November 1st the drug
will no longer be on prescription. Insurance plans will no longer pay for the
medication. I suggest you stock up also while waiting to see how all of this
settles."
I spoke with my pharmacist, and he assured me that he will stockpile guai,
since so many of the local support group people have had such a good response.
It is important to avoid any products with guai that have other medications,
such as epinephrine, that could be harmful. Devin J. Starlanyl

Hey there............Michael............This is from Suzanne...........So
sorry you are having a rough time............But, keep it
up................It is worth it...........I have just come off of 48 weeks
and starting to feel better............Drink water............cool
refreshing water and lots of it..............God be with you
..................you are in my prayers...............

http://www.hepatitisresources-calif.org/index.htm
California Hepatitis C Resource Center
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A Novel Approach to Treat Hepatitis C Virus Infection Developed by Canadian
Researchers
MONTREAL, April 21 /CNW/ - CANVAC is proud to announce that four of its
affiliated researchers and their collaborators have successfully treated
hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected mice using an entirely novel approach. The
concept elaborated by Dr. Christopher D. Richardson and Dr. Eric C. Hsu, from
the Ontario Cancer Institute of the University Health Network, was tested at the
University of Alberta using Drs. Lorne Tyrrell and Norman Kneteman's unique
mouse model of HCV replication. This approach involves introducing
into liver cells a gene encoding a modified natural protein, which is then only
activated in HCV infected cells and leads to the death of these cells, thereby
halting replication of the virus. Published in the May issue of Nature
Biotechnology, the newly discovered
therapeutic approach could theoretically, in humans, reduce the amount of virus
in the blood and eliminate HCV at early stages of infection or prior to liver
transplantation. This technology could be applied to other viral infections.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major source of chronic liver disease throughout
the world, and has been estimated to infect more than 200 million individuals
including approximately 3 million Americans and 300,000 Canadians.
HCV infection leads to a chronic attack of the liver in 70 to 80% of the
patients, of which 30% develop cirrhosis and 5 to 10% liver cancer. Moreover, it
is the principal cause of liver transplantation in North America. The Canadian
Network for Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics (CANVAC) is a unique network of 74
of the most highly recognized Canadian specialists in the fields of immunology,
virology, and molecular biology, who are faculty
members at 25 universities and affiliated research institutes. The Network
scientists, in collaboration with 22 corporate partners, as well as interested
government departments and agencies, and several patient and consumer groups,
are working towards the development of safe and effective vaccines to protect
and treat Canadians and people around the world from cancer and life-threatening
viral
infections, including those caused by HIV and the hepatitis C virus.
CANVAC is hosted by the Université de Montréal and supported by an annual grant
of $4.7 million from the Government of Canada, along with substantial
investments from its private sector partners.
The NCE Program is an initiative of the Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Industry Canada.
University Health Network is a major landmark in Canada's health-care system,
and a teaching partner of the University of Toronto. Building on the strengths
and reputation of each of the three remarkable hospitals, Toronto General
Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, UHN brings
together the innovation, talent and resources needed to achieve global impact on
the health care scene and provide exemplary patient care. The University of
Alberta is establishing a Centre of Excellence in Viral Hepatitis through
funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Alberta Department
of Science and Innovation. The University has had a strong track record in
research therapies for viral hepatitis, both hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
-30-
For further information: Aline Rinfret, PhD, Associate Scientific
Director, CANVAC, Tel.: (514) 288-0591, Aline.Rinfret@...;
Christopher D. Richardson, PhD, Senior Scientist, Ontario Cancer Institute,
Tel.: (416) 204-2280, chrisr@...; D. Lorne Tyrrell, MD, PhD,
Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Tel.:
(780) 492-9728, lorne.Tyrrell@...
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Study: Amantadine Benefits Difficult-To-Treat Hepatitis C Patients
The antiviral drug amantadine appears to be a beneficial addition
in the treatment of patients with hepatitis C who fail to respond
to interferon and ribavirin alone.
Researchers from the Second University of Naples in Italy
investigated the benefit of adding amantadine to the standard
therapy of interferon and ribavirin. Their study is reported in the
May issue of Gut.
Many hepatitis C patients fail to respond to treatment with
interferon and ribavirin. Amantadine is an antiviral medication
used to prevent or treat certain influenza infections and
Parkinson's disease.
The study involved 114 patients, including 90 who received
ribavirin and varying doses of interferon and 24 patients who
received interferon, ribavirin and oral amantadine. All of the
patients were treated for 12 months.
At the end of one year, a sustained response was observed for six
or 25 percent of the 24 patients in the triple-therapy group and
just three patients in the interferon and ribavirin group. The
researchers noted the three-drug therapy was well tolerated and
did not increase the frequency or severity of side effects.
SOURCE: Gut 52(5):701-5

A very long but interesting read for those that are inclined to *alternative
therapies* as well as those with HCV and HIV :-)
http://www.keephope.net/report18.html
Positive Health News
Report No 18 Spring Issue (1999)
A Consumer's Guide to Immune Restoration
The Search for "Th1"
Mark Konlee
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Mykal,
Me and this wacky, crazy, dysfunctional family of mine are still
dyfunctional wacky and crazy! LOL I love my Strider, I just no you
would rather have Rocky! LOL Guess you like your furniture and house
more than I! Tehee! Kati had a spell this week and I lost some more
funiture. So less to move around and try to clear out. Strider is
loving playing kick ball and I got two hoola hoops for him! That was
a blast watching him run and fetch those! Can't wait for the pics to
come back. Went to that sweet 16 party with my daughter and danced
so much I am still sore! Wow, teens! Too much to keep up with! LOL
Still waiting on permit to have fence put up! Hmm! I could go on and
on, but I think that is enough for now! LOL Are you back from your
test yet? Let me know! Hugs......Dana

Here is a REALLY GOOD site for those in Georgia!
http://www.gatfl.org/
Peace and Love,
·´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´.·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-Pam
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
"There are many intelligent species in the universe. They are all owned by
cats." - Anonymous
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