FAQs: Cycling

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1. What does the term "cycling" mean?
2. Can I tell if I am cycling by the bubbles in my urine?

1. What does the term "cycling" mean?
"Cycling" refers to the cyclical nature of symptoms . Fibromyalgia patients generally have worse and better periods --bad periods sometimes called flares, or bad cycles.  When taking guaifenesin you are reversing your illness.  Reversal cycles are generally intensified symptoms of whatever YOU have. Your symptoms will repeatedly increase then decrease in intensity as you cycle through them.

2. Can I tell if I am cycling by the bubbles in my urine?
Bubbles in urine can mean different things. Urine changes daily depending on your diet, your exercise levels, your fluid intake (not only water, but fluid in vegetables, etc.) and your intake of salt and other compounds.  The consistency, smell and presence of bubbles in your urine does NOT predict reversal of fibromyalgia. 

Urine is a waste product and contains compounds your body is trying to excrete. It does not reflect your blood levels -- just as your hair does not ---.

We've always told people not to judge your cycling by the bubbles in urine. Urine is fun to watch, undoubtedly, but there are many variables that have an effect on it.

Cycling is only one of those things, and if you drink lots of water or other fluids, or eat lots of carbs, you may not see those bubbles.