Pamela's Story: Recovery from Fibromyalgia with Chlamydia Pneumoniae Treatment
This former patient of Dr. Powell asked me to post this story for her. (Jim K)
I first learned of Dr. Powell in the summer of 2003.
Suffering with chronic neck and back pain most of my life, I tried physical therapy, relaxation techniques, weekly massage and exercise…but could never manage the pain.
The numerous doctors I saw over the years could never find anything wrong so they just gave me pills and sent me on my way. By the time I found Dr. Powell, I felt like my body had become toxic with drugs. Everyday, in order to function, I took the following:
∑ For pain: 90mg of Methadone in addition to 8-12 tabs of Norco
∑ For brain function (and to keep me awake): Ritalin and Provigil
∑ For depression: Wellbutrin (also helped keep me alert) and Effexor
∑ For sinus/allergy issues: Pseudoephedrine and Allegra
∑ For sleep: Pamelor among others…
My pain level was 10/10 without narcotics and 2/10 with; energy 3/10; brain function 3/10 (serious fibro-fog); and my stress was 9/10. I was working full time and deteriorating fast!
One of the first things Dr. Powell had me start was T3 (while carefully monitoring temperature and heart rate daily). Within 3 weeks I started getting my energy back and I felt like a new woman! My pain even started to subside. He warned me this would happen and my inclination would be to over-do it. But I ignored that. I felt so great I seemingly tried to catch up on years of reduced performance. Then I crashed.
After cycling through that pattern 3-4 times (slow learner…) I finally gave up and listened to Dr. Powell. The missing piece was changing my behaviors, which had led to years of accumulated stress. I was a People-Pleaser, Performance Maniac, Care-Taker (of everyone but myself) and Perfectionist - and I had to change.
This was undoubtedly the most difficult, but the MOST beneficial part of the protocol for me. Through the use of Voice Dialogue, personal therapy, journaling and a lot of emotion (what was THAT?)… I slowly started to change. I stepped out of denial regarding the behaviors that had so depleted me (people-pleasing, over-working, care-taking…) and surrounded myself with people who would support the changes I needed to make. I cannot underestimate the determination it took to accomplish this – but it was 1000% worth every challenging minute!
About a year into my treatment, in his scientist/researcher role, Dr. Powell discovered the important relationship bacteria plays in FM, and encouraged me to begin an antibiotic treatment. I have to admit I was reluctant because I was feeling SO much better than before…and I’d heard the antibioticsi could make me feel worse – before I felt better, due to the bacteria dying off. I debated the issue for 3-4 months and then decided I should just go for it and see if this could take me the rest of the way to healing. I really didn’t believe I could feel any better, but my improvement was exponential! I had been sick for so long I had no idea what being well really felt like. And, by carefully following Dr. Powell’s recommendations for minimizing the effects of the die-off process, I found the treatment wasn’t nearly as bad as I had feared.
Other than a small amount of Wellbutrin and some seasonal allergy meds, which I am almost free of, I no longer take ANY of the drugs listed above! More importantly I have no pain. My brain works, my energy is full and I am excited about life. What is most wonderful is the joy I now experience in my relationships. There was a long period when I was afraid I would never be able to really enjoy life again.
Now, my job is just that…a job. I don’t take it home with me or even try to win the kudos I used to long for. Instead, my satisfaction comes from spending time with my family and taking care of myself. I’ll never forget the birthday party my husband gave me when he made a toast “to having his wife back”. In my new life I enjoy playing with my dogs, kayaking with my husband, taking art classes at the local college and exercising regularly so I can go skydiving and surfing with my son on his 21st (and my 50th) birthday. That will be in early 2008 and I have no doubt I’ll be ready!
I used to scoff at books that talked about reversing Fibromyalgiai, but now I am living proof it can happen. I wholeheartedly trust Dr. Powell and his (often evolving) protocol not only because of the success I’ve experienced, but because I know he is one of a rare few doctors who still practice medicine for the sole purpose of seeing lives restored. I hope you find the same.
Pamela McClanahan
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Comments
BRAVA, Pamela! Ah, yes, a doctor who cares to see his patients recover; this is the holy grail (forget the DaVinci Code as this whole process is so much more interesting). So good to hear you're recovering what was lost, which is the fervent wish of everyone here. Thanks for the encouraging story!
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems. Mohandas Gandhi
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems. Mohandas Gandhi
Thanks Jim, for posting this success story, this is the kind of thing that keeps the rest of us on track.
Michele: on Wheldon protocol since 1st May 2006 for a variety of long standing ailments, also spokesperson for Ella started Wheldon protocol 17th March 2006 for RRMSi
Sussex, UK
Michèle (UK) GFAi: Wheldon CAPi 1st May 2006. Daily Doxyi, Azi MWF, metroi pulse.
Thank you, Pamela
This only reconfirms my belief that dogged determination wil carry us through if we carry it far enough - don't be deterred even when you seem to be regressing. It is not an easy thing you have done - many congratulations!
Rica EDSSi 6.7 at beginning - now 2
Ignorance is voluntary bad luck. Lauritz S. A true Viking
If you come to a fork in the road, take it. Yogi Berra
3/9 Symptoms returning. Began 5 abxi protocol 5/9 Rifampin 600, Amox 1000, Doxyi 200, MWF Azith 250, flagyli 1000 daily. Began Sept 04 PPMSi EDSSi 6.7 Now good days EDSS 1 Mind, like parachute, work only when open. Charlie Chan In for the duration.
PAMELA: You are a very brave woman -- you not only underwent medical treatment for CPNi to alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgiai, but also made personal life changes -- the hardest thing to do. The latter was brought about, I think, by your solid determination, some of which I wish I had!
I, too, have fibromyalgia, but mine is sporadic -- attacks are brought on by severe stress. I've just been diagnosed with CPN and presently am very ill.
Keep up the good work -- kudos to you --
-- and thanks, Jim, for posting the story.
Chain Ganger Chris
A brief history: My base disorder is fibromyalgiai. Present attack began 10/06. CPNi diagnosed 11/7/06. Began antibiotic Biaxin 11/8/06. Very ill. On 12/1/06 I'll begin Doxycycline & will continue with Biaxin. 
That's completely awesome!
One question I have is: how long did the antibiotic treatment take for her?
On CAPi for CFSi(maybe?)|chronic infectionsi|generally falling aparti| starting 9/2006Currently: NACi 900mgx2; doxyi 100mgx2; azith 250mg MWF; metronidazole 500mgx3 often
-rb
On CAPi for CFSi(maybe?)|chronic infectionsi|generally falling aparti| starting 9/2006Currently: NACi 900mgx2; doxyi 100mgx2; azith 250mg MWF; metronidazole 500mgx3 often
This is a very encouraging story. I pray the same thing happens to me.
Blessings
Ruth
CFIDSi/ME, FMSi, IBSi, EBVi, Cpni (375 mg Metroi, Minocycline 100mg 3Xwk, Nystatin 500,000U 3 tabs 3X day, Fluconazole 100mg 1X wk), Babesia, insomnia (take melatonini, GABA, tarazadone, temazepam, novocyclopine, allergy formula), peri menopause, NAC 1 gm
CFIDSi/ME, FMSi, MCS, IBSi, EBVi, CMV, Cpni, H1, chronic insomnia, Chronic Lyme, HME, Babesia, Natural HRT-menopause, NAC 2.4 gm,Full CAP 6-2-07, all supplementsi+Iodorol, Inositol-depression, ultra Chitosan, L lysine Pulse#27 04-19-10 1gm Flagyli/day-5 days<
Blankena,
Triiodothyronine (T3) is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It plays an important role in the body's control of metabolism.
What she is referring to above is probably "Cytomel" (or T3) a prescription drug that can be purchased at a pharmacy or compounded by a compounding pharmacy.
Jeanneroz
JeanneRoz ~ DXi'd w/ CPNi 4/2007; 6/07 -"officially" dx'd w/CFIDSi/FM; also: HHV6, EBVi, IBSi-C, 100 Doxyi:BIDi; 500 mg Biaxin BIDi; Tindamax Pulses, B12 shots, ERFA Dessicated Thyroid,Cortef, Iodoral 25 mg, Vit D-6,000 uni
sunshinecoast Australia.Fibromyalga suffer recently informed I have CPNi started on Doxyi 50ml twice a day 21.2.09
Phaffa, many of us felt bad when we first went on the Doxyi. I have to admit I was lucky, apart from a little nausea I was OK and I managed to get round that by taking the pills at night so I slept the nausea off. I also found eating a couple of plain biscuits with the Doxy helped.
It will improve. Then it gets worse again as you add the next abxi. It's all about adjusting how you take them, and when, until you find something you can cope with. If you're on full CAPi the Metroi is the most difficult to deal with but it's a case of knowing that the sickness is the result of your illness dying off and fighting back.
My MSi was caught at an early stage so I have had far less problems than others on here and have seen a much faster improvement but I am convinced a lot of that was down to the fact that I started the abxi after I had been taking all the supplementsi for several weeks so my system was full of all the moppers from word go.
Berkshire, UK. Diagnosed RRMSi Feb 4th 2008.
NACi 2400mg. All supps. Doxyi 200mg. Zithi 250mg. Metroi 400mg.
No GP/Neuroi support. Self medicating with help from David Wheldoni.
Started CAPi 20th April
Berkshire, UK. Diagnosed RRMSi Feb 4th 2008.
NACi 2400mg. All supps. Doxyi 200mg. Zithi 250mg. Metroi 400mg.
No GP/Neuroi support. Self medicating with help from David Wheldoni.
Started CAPi 20th April
sunshinecoast Australia.Fibromyalga suffer recently informed I have CPNi started on Doxyi 50ml twice a day 21.2.09
sunshinecoast Australia.Fibromyalga suffer recently informed I have CPNi started on Doxyi 50ml twice a day 21.2.09
I'm interested to here from people who feel they have been cured. And whether they still feel that way 3, 5 or 7 or 10 years later?
Anyone know where to point me?
These stories all resonate for me and I am so excited by the thought that in 7 years so many of these names on the board have forgotten about it because they are out living amazing lives.
Yes, Ben. You can read the Patient Stories tab at the top of each page on this site. You can also read back a couple of weeks on this forum and see a topic that asks exactly the same question you're asking here.
As an aside, when you're responding to posts, as Louise pointed out earlier today, it helps if you check the date of the post. Once a post is this old, it's fallen off the current topics list. You'd be better off to start a new topic and ask your questions there.
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems. Mohandas Gandhi