A new breed of antidepressant, duloxetine, has been credited with easing the pain of female fibromyalgia patients, according to results of a university clinical trial.
Duloxetine works by inhibiting the reuptake of two of the brain's neurotransmitters -- serotonin and norepinephrine. In one of the largest trials conducted for the treatment of fibromyalgia, researchers claim duloxetine was shown to safely and significantly reduce pain and improve a range of disease symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder. Patients experience extensive body pain and muscle tenderness, as well as headaches, sleep disturbances and fatigue.
According to researchers, it is about six times more common in women than in men.
While no one has identified what causes fibromyalgia, it has been linked to abnormalities in serotonin and norepinephrine. These two chemicals also play a large role in depression. However, not all fibromyalgia patients have depression or respond to antidepressant medications.
In the study, scientists gathered 207 patients who met specific criteria for fibromyalgia.
Subjects were randomly prescribed one of two treatments for 12 weeks. Researchers gave 60 milligrams of duloxetine to 104 participants twice a day, while the remaining 103 received placebos. To determine improvements in their condition, each subjects was evaluated and scored according a standardized questionnaire and other methods.
Females treated with duloxetine reported significant improvement in variety of symptoms -- including pain, fatigue and tenderness -- compared to those in the placebo group. Women treated with the drug had less "tender points" and could withstand more pressure. Duloxetine also seemed to improve mood, ability to function and general well being.
On the flip side, the 23 male participants did not seem to benefit from the drug.
EurekAlert September 9, 2004
In a past newsletter, I addressed Duloxetine, which also is known as the brand name Cymbalta. It was introduced in late summer 2004 as a replacement for Prozac. Despite its proclaimed differences and benefits, I still do not believe any prescription drugs are the solution to any problem, including fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a serious condition not always recognized by conventional physicians. As evidenced by this article, many medical professionals still struggle with how to treat fibromyalgia, and some so-called "experts" refuse to believe this condition even exists. Fortunately by addressing one’s diet and emotional challenges the vast majority of fibromyalgia problems can be improved if not resolved entirely without medications or large amounts of supplements
Patients commonly report feeling tenderness, stiffness and pain in various areas of the body. They also may suffer from fatigue, depression, cognitive confusion and gastrointestinal problems.
And, as the above article mentions, it affects many more women than men.
I'm convinced more natural solutions are far better for fibromyalgia sufferers than taking another antidepressant that, in the long term, may do more for the mega-billion drug companies than for patients.
If you suffer from fibromyalgia, I advise you to consider the following:
Eat healthier by choosing meals based on your personal metabolic type. You may experience reductions in your symptoms by following a diet fit for your body type.
Exercise to gain strength and increase natural chemicals that fight fatigue and depression.
Address your emotions. Nearly every person I have seen with fibromyalgia suffers from an underlying emotional component. Rather than rely on an antidepressant that may hurt more than help you, the bioenergetic normalization of previous emotional traumas is the single most effective treatment I know of for fibromyalgia, and EFT is my favorite technique. Use my free EFT manual to learn this effective technique.
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