Rejuveno Worldwide Inc.

Recovering from Fibromyalgia --
Jocelyne Lafrenière's Testimony

January 31, 2002

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Jocelyne Lafrenière is a French-speaking Canadian lady in Ottawa.   She used to suffer from a debilitating and "incurable" disease called Fibromyalgia.   After taking Reishi Deluxe, Cordyceps Deluxe and Ester-C for several months, her condition improved substantially to the point that she can work full-time and lead a normal life.   Here is her amazing testimony after getting back to normal for more than two years.

On January 8, 2002, Jocelyne wrote:

After complaining of muscle pain and sleep disorder for eight months, I was diagnosed in August 1997 by a rheumatologist with the fibromyalgia syndrome.  My symptoms included: 

· Pain in 16 tender points located at specific locations in the body; 
· Muscle spasm and pain throughout the body; 
· Morning stiffness; 
· Feeling of swelling; 
· Fatigue; 
· Sleep disorder characterized by frequent awakenings, light sleep or no sleep at all; 
· Seasonal allergies; 
· Food allergies; 
· Environmental sensitivity disorder characterized by chemical sensitivity especially to perfumes, car exhaust, fuel, paint etc.: 
· Occasional chest pain with irregular heart beat especially when exposed to chemicals; 
· Dizziness, migraines/headaches especially when exposed to chemicals; 
· Dry eyes; 
· Little resistance to stress and lack of physical endurance; 
· Frequent skin rashes and hives; 
· Swollen glands in the neck; 
· Trouble concentrating for long period of times; 
· Nervousness. 

I was 40 years old when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  I was told by the rheumatologist that I would never be able to work again on a full time basis and that in a few years I may need help to take a bath or to take care of myself.  I cried for sure but I decided that this was not going to be my life and that I would fight this. 

I started a regular stretching and exercise program.  I reduced my working hours by not doing any overtime work at night and I reduced my involvement in outside activities.  I also started to take several anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals.  I was diagnosed with several food allergies and sensitivity to candida by Dr. John Molot, a doctor specialized in environmental medicine (1).  When your immune system is weak candida can cause serious health problems.  I followed a very strict diet avoiding allergenic food and any food that could promote candida. 

After six months on this health program, my condition did not improve.  It actually continued to get worst to the point where I had to stop working in March 1998.  As the fibromyalgia condition is considered incurable by the medical profession, I decided to consult Christine Kozlowski, a naturopath/homeopath (1) in April 1998.  I saw her every six weeks for approximately one year.  I was again tested for food allergies and chemical sensitivities.  I was given several vitamins and minerals, chinese herbs and homeopathic products with the purposes of detoxifying my body of various chemicals, boosting my immune system and various organs.  I continued to follow my very strict diet and exercise program.  I also started to do respiratory exercises twice a day.  I received a few acupuncture treatments at that time without seeing much changes so I stopped these treatments.

The naturopath believed an immune system breakdown could have been the cause of my fibromyalgia because in the two years before the fibromyalgia condition came out, I had three respiratory infections, six colds and I got intoxicated with formaldehyde as I moved in a renovated office and in a new home.  I also received a flu shot which had a very negative effect on my immune system.  Also over the past twenty years, I had been working approximately 45-50 hours/week on a regular basis and been involved in various outside activities.  Stress was part of my life and rest was not a priority because I never felt I needed a lot of it as I was so full of energy and had no sleep problems. 

From April to October 1998, I followed the naturopath's recommendations without seeing a lot of improvements.  I continued with my stretching and exercise program.  I was still not working but was able to do light domestic tasks in the house.  I had to take frequent period of rests during the day.  My day would go like this: two hours up, 45 minutes resting in bed, two hours up, another 45 minutes in bed and it would go on like that until the end of the day. 

In the summer of 1998, I received ten rolfing treatments by Lucinda Lanthier (1) who practises the Dr. Ida Rolf method.  These treatments are very deep muscle massages.  I also received two energetic treatments by Josette Serguier (1) to rebalance the energy in my body. 

At the end of October 1998, my condition started to improve.  On a scale of 10, my condition was a 5.  My condition did improve as I considered myself being a 0 on 10 in March 1998.  At that time, I still experienced all the above symptoms but to a lesser degree.  I started to have a little more energy.  My resting periods decreased to 20 minutes and were not as frequent.  In November, I started to work six hours a week.  Over the next four months, I was able to gradually increase my working hours to 30 hours/week.  I must admit that this was quite a challenge for me. 

In the fall of 1998, I was referred to Dr. Jennifer Armstrong, an environment specialist (1) who specializes in immune system disorders.  For approximately two months, I received each week either a "Meyers cocktail" made up of mega doses of vitamins and minerals or hydrogen of peroxide, both administered intravenously.  I could feel myself getting stronger. 

In January 1999, I heard about reishi mushroom and its benefits for the immune system, the nervous system and the oxygenation of the body.  I read this food product has been very helpful in case of allergies and chronic fatigue syndrome which convinced me of trying it.  I started taking Reishi and Cordyceps in April 1999.  The first week, I took 2 reishi, 2 cordyceps and 2 Ester-C (500 mg) a day.  The second week, I took 4 reishi, 3 cordyceps and 2 Ester-C (500 mg) a day.  Afterwards, I took 9 reishi, 3 cordyceps and 6 Ester-C (500 mg) a day.  I also took salmon oil and several vitamins and minerals. 

The first week, I had headaches the whole week.  I was told that this is called a "healing crisis", which is normal because reishi detoxifies the blood and cleanses the system.  Then the second week, the headaches stopped and I experienced a general feeling of calmness inside me.  In the third week, I had headaches for the first three days and then, it disappeared again.  I did not worry too much about these symptoms as they are part of the healing process.  Over a period of four months, my condition improved considerably.  In the summer of 1999, I considered my condition to be a 9 on a scale of 10.  Of all the things that I did to improve my condition, reishi was one of the best.  The muscle spasms and pain decreased significantly, my sleep improved and I had much more energy during the day. 

In the fall of 1999, I was back working full time as a chartered accountant and have been since then.  All of my symptoms have disappeared except for occasional awakenings during my sleep.  However, I must admit that I cannot be a "Super Woman".  I need my nine hours of sleep!  I have a very active and healthy lifestyle.  I work 37.5 hours/week, take care of my home, go to the gym three times per week, practice sports (ski, walking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, roller blade, skating etc.), eat well and take vitamins and minerals.  I take time to nurture my inner self and make the right decisions for me.  Reishi is still part of my life.  I take two capsules a day and occasionally I will increase my dosage to four or six a day if I have a cold or if I go through an intense stressful period in my life. 

Over the past years, I learned and read a lot about health issues and I know that it takes time for the body to heal especially if you go with the naturopathic route.  I read that in order to rebuild the immune system, it takes up to nine months.  I know reishi is an adaptogen and it will go where it is needed in the body.  Reishi with all its healing properties heals what needs to be healed in our body.  If you want to try this product, I recommend the reishi manufactured by the Rejuveno company (2).  There is no quick cure for fibromyalgia.  The secret during the recovering period is to remain calm, not be anxious in the process, leaving the body do its healing work. 

I hope my testimony will be a source of encouragement to others who suffer from fibromyalgia.  I know that this condition is quite debilitating as it affects all areas of your life: your working life, your family and social life, your finances etc.  Learning to live with it is not easy but I believe there is hope.  My condition did improve but it takes time.  I know God has provided in nature with healing herbs and food, and throughout the past four years, I have asked God to guide me through this healing process.  My trust is in the Lord and He gave me the discipline, the patience, the perseverance and the joy of waiting on Him through all this. 

Each person is different and there is no guarantee that the products I used and that the steps I did to recover from fibromyalgia would work for you.  If you would like to contact me, please contact Rejuveno (1) for my phone number. 

Jocelyne Lafrenière 
January 8, 2002 

NOTES: 
(1) If you want to have phone numbers of these individuals, you may contact Rejuveno at info@rejuveno.com 
(2) Reishi from the Rejuveno company cannot be bought in health food stores but through independent distributors.  For example, you can contact Independent Distributor Anita Yeung at Rejuveno for orders.

SUGGESTED BOOKS: 
The following books can be ordered from libraries or from the Ottawa Natural Clinic Pharmacy in Ottawa (613-235-3993) 
· Reversing fibromyalgia, Dr. Joe M. Elrod, Woodland Publishing 
· Chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and environmental illness, Burton Goldberg, Future Medicine Publishing, Tiburon, California 
· Fibromyalgia and muscle pain, Leon Chaitow, Harper Collins Publishers 
· From fatigued to fantastic, Jacob Teitelbaum, Avery Publishing Group 
· Allergies, Disease in Disguise, Carolee Bateson-Koch, Alive Books 
· The yeast connection, William G. Crook, M.D., Professional Books, inc. 

The following books can be ordered from Anita Yeung at Rejuveno: 
· Reishi Mushroom - Herb of Spiritual Potency and Medical Wonder, Terry Willard Ph.D., Sylvan Press 
· Cordyceps - Tonic Food of Ancient China, Kenneth Jones, Sylvan Press