Patient Stories
Fibromyalgia
Every patient’s journey is unique, but no one should have to travel it alone. The stories shared here come from individuals living with a variety of rheumatic and inflammatory diseases who chose to explore antibiotic protocols as part of their treatment journey. Some experienced gradual improvement, others dramatic recoveries, and many found hope simply by connecting with others who understood what they were going through. These personal experiences are shared to educate, encourage, and remind you that every journey is different and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
If you’re looking for more than written stories, we invite you to join the Road Back Foundation Private Facebook Community, where you can connect directly with patients in real time. Whether you’re just beginning to research antibiotic protocols, preparing to start treatment, actively undergoing therapy, or years into recovery, you’ll find a welcoming community ready to share their experiences, answer questions, and offer practical support.
Kitty’s Story—From Brain Fog and IBS to a Life Reclaimed
It is just a miracle to me that I am living my life with very little pain, with a clear mind and a body that may just last me for a few more good years! I am enjoying life with my husband and grandchildren! People say I am obsessed with telling others about health issues. Well, I admit it, I am. It took me so many years to find out what was wrong with me. I feel obligated to help others who suffer from chronic pain who want to give up.
Connie’s Story—From Bedridden Sixth Grader to the Volleyball Court
My daughter had been a competitive swimmer since age 6. Throughout that time, she dealt with chronic sinusitis and feelings of complete exhaustion at times, but nothing that she didn’t overcome with a day or two of rest and an antibiotic. Until the fall of 2004! She started 6th grade in mid-August and swimming work-outs in early September. By mid-September, she had a severe sinus infection and but tested negative for Mono. Her symptoms of extreme exhaustion, swollen glands in her neck, sore throat and achiness continued with no improvement through two rounds of antibiotics. During a period of 4 weeks, she went from an active, non-stop 12-year old A student, to a child who was sleeping 15-18 hours a day, constantly felt like she had a bad case of the flu, couldn’t get to sleep or stay asleep at night and who couldn’t attend school or concentrate long enough to complete work at home.
Rosemary’s Story—Believing in Recovery When No One Else Did
Writing the story has been very difficult, I just could not put it down on paper what I have experienced so will give a brief outline with the chance to update later. So thrilled and excited today to find that at last my immune system is clocking in after 3 years and three months of aggressive antibiotic therapy every day and no other supplement except antifungal and acidiphillous treatment for three years even though necessary I could not tolerate or manage the changes with them interacting with the A/P. Was concerned but had faith I would pull it all together eventually.
Rita’s Story—From Bedridden Teen to Elite Model
If anyone tells you that fibromyalgia is reserved for middle-aged women, who are having a hard time coping with the empty nest, tell them to “Go soak your head”! When my daughter, Jenn, was in the 5th grade she had a particularly hard case of the flu. In its wake, it left an excruciating pain under her rib cage. She then developed over-active saliva glands, hypersensitivity to smells, trouble with equilibrium when riding in cars and chronic fatigue. Trip after trip to the physician found nothing. She was in 4 months of psycho therapy…because we thought “It was in her head”. But the psycho-analyst said…”She is experiencing real pain. I’d get her checked out at a children’s hospital”. So we did…
Sheila’s Story—When Her Children Got Their Mom Back
My story begins in 1988. I was a single mother, very active. I became quite ill with what seemed like the flu. I was still bedridden after two weeks of the onset and was starting to wonder what was really wrong with me. I began trekking around to many doctors and was finally labeled as a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patient. I lingered in this state of exhaustion for another 9 years till things went really haywire.
Lisa J’s Story—A Navy Veteran’s Journey Through MCTD
I was always a healthy kid growing up. It seemed no matter what I did, I never got hurt bad. Not even a broken bone. When I was 16 I came down with Mono. I was sick for three weeks and thought I was going to die. I got over it and I seemed to be back to normal except I was tired all of the time.