Friday, June 26th, 2009
Nabilone (synthetic cannibanoid) for the treatment of fibromyalgia pain
Research conducted at the University of Manitoba’s Rehabilitation Hospital [Canada] into the effectiveness of a synthetic cannibanoid for fibromyalgia pain was recently published in the Journal of Pain [2007 Oct 30] . Nabilone is a synthetic cannabinoid that mimics THC, the main ingredient of marijuana, but it can be dosed more uniformly and has more predictable side effects. It causes no or minimal euphoria, and is not derived from the cannabis plant. Nabilone has been used medically as an anti-nausea drug as well as for neuropathic pain. It is sold in many countries as a drug called Cesamet and is FDA approved in the US for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting as well as for the treatment of anorexia and weight loss in AIDS patients. It is widely used “off-label” as …
Cymbalta approved for fibromyalgia
The anti-depressant Cymbalta (duloxetine), marketed by Lilly, has received FDA approval for the treatment of fibromyalgia. While certain anti-depressants are considered first-line therapy for fibromyalgia, most notably the tricyclic anti-depressants such as amitriptyline, none had been approved by the FDA for this use until now. Cymbalta belongs to a newer class of anti-depressants known collectively as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which are somewhat similar to the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), of which Prozac, also marketed by Lilly, is the most widely known. Cymbalta is already marketed for the treatment of depression, anxiety and for pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It was first approved for U.S. marketing in 2004. Cymbalta is no…
Fibromyalgia no longer invisible
This study demonstrates that these patients exhibit modifications of brain perfusion not found in healthy subjects and reinforces the idea that fibromyalgia is a ‘real disease/disorder.’” Of course, the millions of Americans suffering from fibromyalgia didn’t need this research to know their illness is real. But it might help in the development of new treatments because researchers now have an objective measurement of brain function that can be compared before and after drug administration. In June of 2007, I noted in this blog that Lyrica (pregabalin) was the “First fibromyalgia drug approved,” by the FDA. And a year later, I alerted readers that “Cymbalta [was] approved for fibromyalgia.” Another drug pending FDA approval is milnacipran, a decision on which was …
National fibromyalgia awareness day
I’ve written quite a bit on fibromyalgia and I had featured someone with it in a Company’s Calling piece (Company’s calling - a journey with fibromyalgia ) when I wrote Help My Hurt for this network. I never knew there was a National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day - and I bet many of you didn’t either. Fibromyalgia is one of those hidden diseases that is still very much a disease that’s fighting to be recognized (Fibromyalgia debate continues ), which adds to the difficulties faced by those who live with it. They know it’s real - they have to live with its effects on a daily basis. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association : In 1993, May 12 was designated as the International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) by T…
Off-label lyrica for restless leg syndrome
Lyrica (pregabalin) is a very controversial medication in some areas. For example, it’s used for many people who have fibromyalgia (More positive Lyrica news for fibromyalgia ), but it seems to have caused serious side effects in some of the people who have taken it. It’s controversial because many people feel that it does more harm than good. That being said, it’s also helping an awful lot of people. Its labeled use allows doctors to prescribe it for neuropathic pain (nerve pain), which is very difficult to treat, most often caused as a complication of diabetes or shingles (post herpatic neuropathy). It’s also been used as an add-on medication (in addition to others) to treat epilepsy. Now, doctors have found that Lyrica also seems to be helpful for people who live…
Off-label lyrica for restless leg syndrome
Lyrica (pregabalin) is a very controversial medication in some areas. For example, it’s used for many people who have fibromyalgia (More positive Lyrica news for fibromyalgia ), but it seems to have caused serious side effects in some of the people who have taken it. It’s controversial because many people feel that it does more harm than good. That being said, it’s also helping an awful lot of people. Its labeled use allows doctors to prescribe it for neuropathic pain (nerve pain), which is very difficult to treat, most often caused as a complication of diabetes or shingles (post herpatic neuropathy). It’s also been used as an add-on medication (in addition to others) to treat epilepsy. Now, doctors have found that Lyrica also seems to be helpful for people who live…
Personal Fibromyalgia Symptoms & Flare-Up Management
Personal fibromyalgia, as I define it, is the unique course of the fibromyalgia sufferer, with his or her own mix and intensity of symptoms and responses to those symptoms that are either chronic or acute, as compared to others with FM. Please note that many of the observations and recommendations
Study reveals subgroups of fibromyalgia patients - not all experience psychological distress
This study is particularly relevance to the debate within both medical and patient communities as to the relationship between fibromyalgia and anxiety/depression. Some patients experience depression and/or anxiety before developing fibromyalgia. Some develop these symptoms long after the onset of pain and other fibromyalgia symptomsm. Still others never experience depression and anxiety at all, even as they struggle with the stress of chronic widespread pain. It also brings up questions about whether those fibromyalgia patients who do have depression or anxiety experience more severity of their pain and fatigue symptoms. (Source: The Fibromyalgia Research Blog)