By: Laurie Edwards for Fibroids1In light of the millions who suffer from the disease and the need to increase understanding and awareness in the hopes of better diagnoses and more effective treatment plans, the National Fibromyalgia Association urges patients and caregivers alike to join in the quest to improve quality of life for everyone whose lives are touched by the disease.
Researchers have recently discovered that the anti-depressant Cymbalta actually reduces the persistent pain of fibromyalgia. This announcement was made at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM) and signals a potential breakthrough in treating the condition.
| Take Action |
Do you or a loved one suffer from fibromyalgia? Here are treatments to consider:
Pain management: Consider over the counter pain medication, or physician prescribed non-narcotic pain relievers, sleep aids, or low-dose anti-depressants.
Sleep management: Start a healthy sleep regimen, stick to a regular bed time, make your bedroom conducive to sleeping, avoid exercise, snacks and caffeine before bed.
Psychological support: Increase communication with family and friends, join a support group for FM, consider counseling.
Other treatments to consider: Physical therapy, therapeutic massage, water therapy, acupressure, aromatherapy, yoga or other alternative treatments. |
Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 10 million Americans – 6 to 8 percent of the population – and is largely characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain and stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue and disrupted sleep patterns. Though a higher percentage of patients are women across the races, it can also affect men and children. The pain associated with fibromyalgia is chronic and widespread and can vary from patient to patient. Often, it is described as deep muscle ache, throbbing, twitching or stabbing, shooting pain that is usually worse in the mornings. Other factors that influence pain include cold or humid weather, disrupted sleep, physical or mental fatigue, excessive physical activity, prolonged inactivity and stress.
While the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown, research has brought scientists closer to understanding the mechanisms at work. Most experts agree the condition is a neuroendocrine/neurotransmitter disorder, meaning that the patient experiences amplified pain because their central nervous system processes sensory signals abnormally.
Certain genetic factors may predispose patients to the condition, but a large portion of patients experience the disease after an illness or injury that causes trauma and “triggers” the onset.
Lifestyle changes that minimize the overwhelming fatigue and reduce pain include getting appropriate exercise, going to sleep at the same time every night, acupuncture, biofeedback and relaxation exercises and breathing techniques.
Until recently, over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen were commonly used to treat pain. However, new research suggests that Cymbalta (dulexotine) is an effective and safe method to reduce the pain associated with fibromyalgia, and its pain relieving effects are independent from its effects on mood and depressive symptoms.
“There are no approved drugs for fibromyalgia,” said presenting author Michael J. Detke, M.D., PhD, the medical director for Cymbalta at Lilly Research Laboratories. “It’s a significant medical problem.”
Two different randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies of women suffering from fibromyalgia found that significantly greater percentages of patients achieved a 50 percent reduction in their pain as compared to the placebo group. In addition, patients with or without a major depressive disorder experienced the same significant reduction in pain compared to those patients taking a placebo.
This latest news has the potential to change the lives of the millions of Americans who have fibromyalgia, but there is much more to discover about this disease.
