Relief from fibromyalgia, Sjogrens, and chronic pain

I was called an “anomalous anomaly” by Mayo Clinic doctors in 1998.  Since then, pain has been a constant part of my life – especially over the last seven years. I’ve been to many doctors: a vascular surgeon who was certain I had a congenital defeat affecting my blood flow, a neurologist who was certain I had juvenile degenerative disc disease, a rheumatologist who said I had an unusual form of fibromyalgia, another neurologist who said I had carpel tunnel syndrome, and finally, another rheumatologist who has diagnosed me with some kind of autoimmune and inflammation disease – but who says my testing history since 2003 is inconclusive. He told me I tested positive for Sjogren’s disease, but that “it doesn’t necessarily mean that what’s going on is caused by Sjogren’s”.

Over the course of the past five years, the pain I experienced actually brought me to the point where I didn’t really want to live – Why?  The pain just sucked everything out from under me.  It was completely unpredictable.  Some days I would feel sort of normal, only to wake up the next day – exhausted – after a full night of sleep.  The doctors ordered a sleep study, but they didn’t find anything like sleep apnea that could explain my lack of rest during sleep.

I started to believe that I deserved being sick – that I had to just tolerate living – and it started becoming “normal” to watch everything being taken away from me; my health, my hope, my dreams, my vitality, my energy, my worth, my relationships, my future…

Reading my own words, I can see how difficult it would be for someone who isn’t experiencing constant diffused pain to understand how hard it is and how exhausting fighting it can be.  I’ve delivered four babies, all without drugs, and I can tell you without doubt, that daily, diffuse pain is much worse. It’s like a kind of torture that just wears down your mind and resiliency.

Then, about a month ago I reconnected with Steve Roberts (“Dr. Steve”) through Facebook. After looking at his site and reading some of the testimonials there I reached out to Steve to ask more about Banjo. I knew Steve from high school and we had many of the same friends over 30 years now – so I had the advantage of knowing he wasn’t some kind of quack.  Also, I grew up in a family that was well ahead of its time in regard to understanding the benefits of vitamins, good food, and health- both physically and mentally. So, I already knew something about the ingredients in Banjo, their safety, and the fact that taking the lozenge was really no different than drinking a cup of herbal tea.

After disclosing a little about my condition, I was surprised when Steve suggested I should give Banjo a try – that he was confident it could really help me. While I was hopeful – I didn’t really expect Banjo to completely WORK and to make such a huge difference in my life.

Within about 3 days I could feel the difference Banjo was making – It was hard for me to believe, but I could not deny the following:

1) I used to need a friend to work on pressure points before I’d be able to walk in the morning – now I don’t

2) I didn’t have to “carefully” stand up after sitting, wait before taking a step, and then hold my back because it hurt – because it doesn’t hurt

3) When I slept, I woke up feeling rested.  In fact, I am sleeping the same number of hours that satisfied me 20 years ago.

4) I feel 20 years younger!

5) I felt “normal” – not drugged. I felt like myself again.  I had energy.  I could think and focus.  I am happy. Life is so much easier.

I’ve now been taking Banjo for about 3 weeks and I know it’s true that I’m feeling better and will keep feeling better.  I am able to do things I wasn’t able to do before – and I thought I’d never be able to do again. It’s like the problems were just “lifted” away or removed.

For example, I was driving my car and looked over my shoulder to merge left.  When I returned to looking forward, I had a glimmer of a memory – which I almost didn’t even notice – I “remembered” that looking over my shoulder always used to hurt and I’d have to brace myself while doing it.  I didn’t have to brace myself anymore.

Another time, I was talking with a friend about a very negative emotional situation and I noticed that my shoulders were aching.  As I walked into another room, I was holding my back so I could walk straight because my back started aching.  It took a few minutes before I realized I had forgotten to take Banjo that day.  As soon as I took two tablets, the symptoms “lifted” away.

Two weeks later, I forgot again.  ( I’ve heard it’s easy for people to forget to take medicine if they start feeling better )

That night, I noticed my left ankle and leg was very swollen. Both ankles and feet were feeling stiff and hot and achy (like my whole body used to feel).  (The swelling on my left side – and the strange effects it would have on my vascular system, were another one of the anomalies the doctors never could explain)

In any event, their lack of a diagnosis doesn’t matter because as soon as I remembered to take Banjo, the swelling reduced and my ankles and feet don’t ache anymore.

I’m beginning to feel like me again. I’d almost forgotten what it was like to live without pain!

Looking back, I realize that my biggest struggle was to admit that I was powerless over what was happening to my physical body and how it affected my mind and my heart.

I admitted the reality of the situation – finally – and that every effort I made to find a doctor to fix me only led me down a road that gave them the power to tell me I couldn’t be fixed…and I used to believe it.

I thank GOD for all I’ve gone through so I could learn what I really needed to learn.  There is a way for me to be grateful for the pain because it allowed me to see that God loves me and will take care of me.

All that was being asked of me was to give the power back to God – not sell my soul by giving the decision about whether or not I could be healed to some “expert” who couldn’t admit they didn’t know how – they only knew how to lessen the symptoms (maybe) but never STOP the cause of all the pain!!!

I know God always has a purpose in everything I experience – and that it always leads to love – and that it always expands because I can share it

And when I share what I’ve learned with others then they will be given just what I’ve received… and they will learn and be supported in depending entirely on God.  That’s the truly important thing.

For me, the pain was the “fuel” to drive me toward a certain direction. The pain was like my very own, custom made GPS!

It led me step by step (and year by year) to the destination

–      seeking an answer from God

–      receiving a miracle

–      giving the Glory back to God

–      so that other people can know the same thing

It’s all about what we give power to – right?

I didn’t have the power to fix me.

The doctors sure didn’t.

But, God did by helping me reconnect with Steve and learn about the inflammation that was destroying my life –

Banjo stops the inflammation

And I thank God for helping Steve become a doctor who believed in miracles – and helping them along by making the lozenge!

I have a little bit of hope that I wanted to share– I am grateful to say thank you in this way.

Keep strong and God Bless!

KPB – Minneapolis