Hi, and welcome! Gee, I'm sorry you have had problems with the medical community. I did my homework, and always have, when it comes to chosing my medical doctor. I use a board certified Internist who is also a diplomate. He is right on top of the newest things to help with any problem I have. He is also affiliated with a medical school in my area. I have a teaching hospital close by that has been wonderful for other illnesses I have. So, it is important to do your homework when chosing a physician and there are many fabulous doctors out there.
Guaifenesin therapy hasn't helped many on this forum. I remember some that tried it with no success but I do hope it helps your wife.
I use ibuprofen with food, extra strength Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements, and vitamin D3 to help with pain and fatigue. Many with fibro are deficient in those vitamins and nutrients. You will find links all about them in the Fibro 101 thread...the second thread on the forum.
I'm also trying Co Q10. I've been taking that for a few weeks and I do believe it is helping me. But, I want to wait before I really talk about this. The "jury" is still out.
I do gentle exercises and stretching. There are some good gentle stretching exercises in Fibro 101, too. My gentle exercise is walking and also swimming. These are good exercises for fibromites. There is no way I could go to a gym, work my self up so I glistened with perspiration. I wouldn't be able to move the next day! Gentle exercises means just that....gentle! We all do things that are more strenuous and generally pay for it with more pain for a while but I know I couldn't do strenuous exercises...especially daily. But, if she is successful with the gentle exercises and isn't having so much pain and wants to try more, have her gradually work up to more strenuous exercise.
Your wife needs to keep moving. If you sit or lay too much, you will be stiff as a board with fibro. Movement does help ease up the pain. She also needs to pace herself. She can't do what she used to in the same time frame. I can still clean my house but I'll do a little, take a break, and then do a little more. I usually break it up over a day or two.
Moist heat is wonderful for pain, too. Many here have Bed Buddies. You can get these at Walgreen's and other places. Or you can make one by taking a tube sock, filling it 2/3's full of raw long grain rice and tying a knot at the end. Pop it in the microwave and it gives off moist heat!
Of course, eating healthy is good, no matter what illness you have. Many find that if they eat too many carbs, they have more pain. Caffeine can be a problem, too. If she can have caffeine with no problems, she should stop eating or drinking anything with caffeine in it before 4 or 5 PM. That's because sleep is very important for people with fibro. We generally have problems getting into a REM sleep. That's where or bodies start healing themselves. She needs to get on a sleep schedule. I'm generally in bed by 10 PM and am up by 6:30 AM. I do wake up several times during the night but fall back to sleep easily.
Your wife also needs to keep a good, positive attitude. If she constantly thinks about pain, she will be in more misery. I like to look at all the things that I can to instead of what I have problems doing. I also look at the many blessings I have in my life. This really has helped me a lot.
I have done the above and have had a full and enjoyable life in spite of fibromyalgia. Your wife will need to keep searching to see what works best for her. Unfortunately, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another with this illness. The doctors are now starting to think this is a neurological problem. There is a link in Fibro 101 called Drs. Respond to New York Times Article. You will see what learned doctors have to say about fibromyalgia. These doctors have dedicated their lives to this illness.
Encourage her to come on this forum. We will try to answer her questions and help her by letting her know what works for us. She needs to take an active part in her health and become her own advocate.
I'm so glad you found us and joined in. I hope to hear more from you and your wife soon!
Sherrine