Fibromyalgia Treatment Center

  Support Groups:

Vision, Mission, and Goals

Our Vision:

• A network of Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue (FMS/CFIDS) Recovery Groups made up of patients who take responsibility for their personal health by following the Guaifenesin Protocol for treatment of FMS/CFIDS as developed by R. Paul St. Amand, M.D.
• Widespread adoption of the Protocol by the medical profession as the treatment of choice for FMS/CFIDS.

Our Mission:

• To provide education, validation and hope to those diagnosed with FMS/CFIDS who choose, as their primary treatment, the Guaifenesin Protocol presented in the book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia, by St. Amand and Marek.
• To demonstrate successful outcomes to healthcare professionals.

Our Goals:

• Educate patients, families, and health care professionals about Dr. St. Amand’s Guaifenesin Protocol
• Demonstrate integrity and knowledge of Dr. St. Amand’s Guaifenesin Protocol in leadership of Recovery Groups.
• Direct members of Recovery Groups to seek the advice of their own physicians for any concern not strictly related to the protocol.
• Encourage and support members as they learn the protocol.
• Foster members’ independence and self-sufficiency in following the protocol.
• Teach members to understand and identify synthetic and natural salicylates.
• Educate those with hypoglycemia, in addition to their FMS/CFIDS, methods to control blood sugar.
• Collaborate with other Recovery Groups to promote public awareness of Dr. St. Amand’s Guaifenesin Protocol regionally and nationally.
  
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• The Official Guaifenesin Protocol Online Newsgroup
  GUAIGROUP is the online support group sponsored by The Fibromyalgia Treatment Center, Inc. Subscribe
• U.K. Guai-Support
  Contact Fiona Russell at trigleann@aol.com. for help and support for FMS sufferers in the UK and Europe.
• New Zealand
  Megan Parker's web pages on the Positive Living website offer information on local resources for FMS patients in New Zealand and Australia.
• Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  We meet the second Monday of each month at 7:30 pm. For location and more information contact Cheryl gigu@telusplanet.net
• Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Calgary Area Guaifenesin Support Group
  Some of us in the Calgary, Alberta, Canada area started a guai support group in October, 2002. We usually meet the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm.For more information please email Nicky at racegirl@telusplanet.net or Margaret at marg.m@shaw.ca. Please come, and bring ANYONE interested in the guaifenesin protocol.
• Flagstaff, Arizona
  We're a new group getting started in Flagstaff, AZ. We're going to meet on the second Saturday of the month, with no meeting in December. Our next meeting is Saturday, October 9, 2004 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at 3940 N. Paradise, Flagstaff. Please email Barbara Soderblom for information and directions. barbara@soderblom.net
• Phoenix, Arizona
  Phoenix and Northern Arizona Fibromyalgia Recovery Group meets the third Saturday of every month (except July and December) at 1:30 pm at 3814 E. Mallory St., Mesa. Each month there is a guest speaker who shares information on such topics as Salicylates, Diet, Exercise, Sleep, Supplements & Medications, Mind & Body, Relationships, and Massage. Those new to Dr. St. Amand's guai protocol should arrive at 1:00 pm for an introductory video presentation. An experienced mapper will be in attendance who has offered the group a special rate of $25 per map. If you wish to have a mapping done, have questions or need directions to the meeting location please call 480-832-5733 or e-mail Brenda Frandsen brendafrandsen@cox.net
• Sherwood, Arkansas
  Guaifenesin Support Group
  The Guaifenesin Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. at the Olive Garden restaurant, 2943 Lakewood Village Dr., North Little Rock, AR. For more information please contact: Kathy Olsen (501) 835-0753, e-mail: tweety@cybersoulsisters.com or Mary Jo Wicks (501) 834-8401.
• Anaheim, California
  Fibromyalgia Support Group of North Orange County
  Date: Last Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Location: Kaiser Permanente Hospital, 8th Floor Conference Room D,
  441 N. Lakeview Ave. Anaheim, CA Contact Phyllis (714) 701-0505
• Cathedral City, California
  Guaifenesin Support Group
  Our first meeting was on Wednesday Jan 14, 2004. We will meet on the second Wednesday of very month. We welcome anyone interested. Contact is Paulette Fellner (760) 774 7277 or desertfibro@yahoo.com
• Fresno, California
  This is a newly forming Fresno Area FMS Recovery Group. If you live in the Fresno area and would like to join a support group please contact Cheryl Bauer 559.291.8098 or gpbauer@cvip.net or Lyn Van Bebber, guaisupport@comcast.net. Participation is limited to those using guaifenesin or strongly considering the protocol. (posted July 1, 2005.)

• Palm Springs, California
  This is a newly forming Palm Springs area Recovery Group. If you are interested please  contact Geri Vinar, 760.328.4640 in Rancho Mirage. 

• Hollister, California

• Third Thursday of each month, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. San Benito County Free Library, Barbara Room, 470 Fifth Street, Hollister, CA.  Email Contact: Annette Perry: nettsky@sbcglobal.net                                                                                                                                        

• West Covina, California.                                                                                                                                
• NEW GROUP! 1st Tuesday of the month. On Workman Ave. Call Donna (626) 252-9349.
• Denver, Colorado
  Guai Support Group
  The Denver group has been temporarily suspended. If anyone needs personal counseling and encouragement, contact Betty at BJAtkinson@juno.com
• Colorado Springs / Monument, Colorado
  Guaifenesin Support Group
  Contact Lorna Searle, (719) 481-3735 or lornasearle@yahoo.com
• Walsenburg, Colorado                                                                                                                                     
• Meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Calvary Baptist Church at 5:30 PM. Contact Connie             719-846-1415                                                                                                                                      
• Avon Park, Florida - SouthCentral                                                                                                             
•  Would like to invite those who live (or are visiting) in south-central FL to join our support group in Avon Park, FL. focusing on the guaifenisen protocol as written by Dr. St. Amand. We will be meeting the first and third Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Union Congregational Church in the church library. The address of the church is 106 N. Butler Avenue, Avon Park, Florida. Julie Ball Group Leader.
  julie56@strato.net
• Miami-Dade County, Florida
  FMS Support Group
  The Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Recovery on Guai Group of Miami-Dade County exists to help people learn about the Guaifenesin Protocol. Please contact Micki Lewis micki@lewis.org (305 255-7955) if you are interested.
• Loganville, Georgia
  FMS Recovery/Support Group
  The North Georgia F.R.O.G.s Support Group meets at the Bold Springs Methodist Church at 2:00 pm on the second Saturday of each month except December. The meeting is held in the small white educatiion building next to the church. It is located on Bold Springs Church road, off of hwy 81 in Bold Springs, Walton Co. GA. Everyone from the Atlanta, Snellville, Loganville, Monroe, and Athens areas are welcome. Please contact Stephie at fireyes@bellsouth.net
• Chicago, Illinois
  Northwest Chicago Guai Group
  The meetings are an open format for group participation. All newbies are welcome. Feel free to bring friends or family members who would like to understand the guai protocol and how others are coping with the illness.Contact Jody Winfield at chicagoguaigroup@comcast.net for information on the meeting schedule.
• Swansea, Illinois
  Belleville, IL – Metro Guai Recovery Group – We meet on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. unless it is a holiday, then we meet the following Sunday. Our location is the Heart Institute behind St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, which is on 3^rd St., Belleville IL.  (This is approximately 20 minutes call Sandy Phillips, (618) 344-7659 or email mephillips@charter.net
• Lexington, Kentucky
  IFOG of Lexington (Informed Fibromyalgics reversing On Guai)
  Guaifenesin Recovery Group
  Meets the third Sunday afternoon of each month. If you are interested in attending future meetings please contact Jan Houp at j.houp@insightbb.com
• Louisville, KY
  IFOG of Louisville (Informed Fibromyalgics reversing On Guai)
  FMS Recovery Group
  First meeting - April 24th, 3:00 pm. Meets the 4th Sunday of each month at the Friends Meeting House, 3050 Bon Air Ave., Louisville, KY  40205. For more information contact Pat Ferguson:fibroky@gmail.com
• Paducah,Ky                                                                                                                                                                Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois Fibromyalgia Recovery Group. The focus of this recovery group is to enable each member to take control of their own recovery by following Dr. St. Amand's treatment protocol. Anyone interested in learning about the use of guaifenesin for FMS is welcome. Email Kaye Walker for information on dates and locations of meetings at:  fibrowky@gmail.com
• Flushing, Michigan
  Please contact Sarah Marchuk for information on meeting schedule.
  email: smarchuk@comcast.net phone: (810) 659-7974
• Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
  Sault Area Fibromyalgia Recovery/Support Group
  This group meets the third Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Medical Library of Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital. We also welcome members from the tri-counties and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario area. This is a group of fibromyalgics who are recovering by following Dr. St. Amand's guaifenesin protocol.This is a new group, as of January, 2005. For more information contact Cris Roll at croll@30below.com
• Guai Support for West Michigan   We will meet the third Sunday of the month 2pm.  At the Thornapple Evang. Cov. Church, 6595 Cascade Rd., SE., Grand Rapids. On the east side near the Kent County airport and M-6, 28th St. and 96 interchanges. Contact Sheri LaPorte, recover.west.mi@comcast.net. We will have a new mapper, a Dr. Scott Newquist, DC 616-464-1091 for appoinment. We welcome all who are on the Dr. St. Amand protocol and those who want to learn more as well as family and friends.
• Duluth, Minnesota / Superior, Wisconsin
  Fibromyalgia Recovery Group
  The Duluth/Superior Guaifenesin Recovery Group is open to anyone following or interested in learning about Dr. St. Amand’s guaifenesin treatment protocol for fibromyalgia. The group meets monthly at SMDC-Superior, 3500 Tower Avenue, Superior, Wisconsin. We are lucky to have two mappers affiliated with our group. Contact Betty Haubner (218) 879-7427
• Golden Valley, Minnesota
  For guaifenesin support,  please contact Gloria Hutson at gloriahutson@juno.com or (612) 588-9366
• St. Paul, Minnesota
  FMS/CFS Recovery Group
  Meets 2nd Monday of every month from 7:00-9:00 pm, Epworth United Methodist Church, 1965 Sherwood Ave. E, St. Paul, MN. Contact person: Sharon Marlowe 651-772-2108
• Winona, Minnesota
  The Winona Guaigenesin Recovery Group meets monthly on Thursday evenings. Contact Anne Louise (Admin Team member) for more information and driving directions. anne-louise@charter.net
• Rockaway, Morris County, New Jersey
  New Guaifenesin Support Group being planned
  Nancy Dreyfus is seeking fibromyalgia patients who are taking guaifenesin, their caregivers, and any others who are interested in starting a new support group. Meeting place and dates will be decided as soon as there are at least three people confirmed. If people do not live within driving distance of Morris County, Nancy will be glad to connect them with anyone else in their area who is interested in starting a group. Contact Nancy Dreyfus at pencraft@nac.net
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
  The Albuquerque Guaifenesin Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month in Room 402 of the Education Building at the Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8600 Academy NE (Academy and Moon) at 1:00 pm. (Off Academy, turn south on Moon and then an immediate left into the parking lot behind the church. Signs will be posted to Room 402.) Coordinators for the group are Stella Vigil and Erika Gimple. Stella is also a mapper
• New York, New York (West Village)
  Fibromyalgia Support Group -
  We are a new group, but we've been recovering on the Guaifenesin Protocol for a long time. Bring a bottle of water, a friend and yourself. For more information contact Linda deSoto at 310-753-5580 or Linda.deSoto@verizon.net
• Brevard, North Carolina
  We meet every 3rd Thursday 11 AM to 1 PM Forest Hill Circle, Brevard. Email: judynowag@hotmail.com. Phone number (828) 862-8090.
• Fayetteville, North Carolina (F.R.O.G) Fibromyalgics Recovering On Guaifenesin.
  meets the third Saturday of every month except December, 1:30 at the HealthPLEX, 1930 Skibo Road. Newcomers meet at 1:00. POC for meeting and mapping information is Margaret Silman -- margaretsilman@aol.com
• Raleigh/Durham/RTP Area S - North Carolina                                                                               This is a notice of the F.R.O.G.S. (Fibromyalgics Recovering on Guai Support) First Thursdays monthly, 1-4 p.m. at New Horizons Fellowship, Hwy. 55, Apex NC. Call Lynn 919-362-3902 or Phyllis 919-779-5722 for more info. or directions.
• Springtown, Pennsylvania The Southeastern Pennsylvania Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Hope & Recovery Group. 2nd. Monday every month, 7PM to 8:30 at the Silver Creek Social Club. For information contact Kim (610) 346-8868 or email  mymentor1@verizon.net.
• Warwick, Rhode Island
  For more information about Fibromyalgia Recovery On Guai (FROG) call Jill Myers at (401) 487-3956 or email: ri_guaisupport@hotmail.com. Meetings held at the Kent County Memorial Hospital (455 Toll Gate Road, Warwick, RI 02886) every 3rd Thursday of the month. We will meet in the Westmoreland Conference Room on the 1st floor from 6-8pm. Warwick,
  my hometown, is located 15 minutes south of Providence, and only about 20
  minutes from Massachussetts and 30 minutes from Connecticut.
• Lexington, South Carolina
  Guaifenesin Recovery Group
  Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. The goal of this group is to enable each member to take control of their own recovery. Our focus is solely on Dr. St. Amand's Guaifenesin Protocol. Anyone interested in learning about the use of guaifenesin for FMS is welcome. For more information contact Gretchen Parker, email gretchenparker@earthlink.net
• Lubbock, Texas
  Lubbock Guaifenesin Support Group
  The Lubbock Support Group meets on the fourth Saturday of every other month, 10:30 a.m. at Dr. Funk’s Office, 6816 Slide Road, Ste 13. The 2004 schedule is Jan 24, Mar 27, May 22, July 24, Sept 24 and Nov 20 (one week earlier than normal due to Thanksgiving.) Please contact Carrie at cfunk@door.net or (806) 687-6222. Or if Carrie is not available, you may contact Sandy at spj4020@odsy.net . When sending an e-mail, please put FMS in subject line