Fibromyalgia Not Real

Fibromyalgia is not a real disease

He said the medical research fibromyalgia

From the first page of the article in The New York Times

Dr. Frederick Wolfe , director of the national database for rheumatic diseases and lead author of the 1990 paper that first defined the diagnostic guidelines for fibromyalgia , says he has become cynical and discouraged diagnosis. Now consider the condition a physical response to stress, depression and social and economic anxiety. "

Wolfe continues: "Some of us in those days thought that we had actually identified a disease that clearly is not. "

" ... Other doctors - including (Dr. Wolfe ) who wrote the 1990 paper that defined fibromyalgia but who has since changed his mind - say that there is no disease and that Lyrica and the other drugs are taken by millions of people who do not need it. "

Just as I was optimistic that the traditional medical community is finally getting was the message that fibromyalgia is a very real and very serious illness , such as nearsightedness , arrogant, and simple spirit myth rears its ugly head again. This bit of news , a leading rheumatologist is not a big surprise . When was the last time you visited your rheumatologist (after months of waiting to be seen) and I felt like they understood your fibromyalgia? And if they believe they had fibromyalgia , were they helpful?

Probably not, because their response is to recommend more drugs , so year after year. The side effects of these medications begin to accumulate and soon you realize the symptoms of fibromyalgia are not much better , and worse, if you have other symptoms of these drugs.

I asked several times to give my opinion on the new drug touted for fibromyalgia , Lyrica . I was silent for two reasons. One , I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt Lyrica . Unfortunately Lyrica was ineffective for most of my patients and people who suffer from fibromyalgia , I am in touch with the world. Secondly , I thought that at least several million dollars to the campaign Pfizer medicines would help the public understand the daily pain of fibromyalgia patients experience daily . Certainly, television and print ads help others realize that yes, there is such a thing as fibromyalgia , here are the symptoms, and that is why Aunt Jane feel so miserable every day.

According to the New York Times, Lyrica worldwide sales reached 1.8 billion in 2007 , up 50 percent compared with 2006. Analysts predict sales will increase by additional 30 percent this year , helped by consumer advertising . During the first nine months of 2007 , Pfizer spent $ 46 million on ads Lyrica .

Unfortunately, the New York Times and other print media have chosen to take a different angle. Instead of helping to dispel the myth that people with fibromyalgia are crazy , lazy, or depressed , they chose to focus on the minority of doctors believe that fibromyalgia is not real.

As I teach and interact with physicians in North America , who meet regularly with doctors who do not believe fibromyalgia exists , but the number has steadily decreased . But now, this issue is and what the public will think ?

More on Lyrica

Lyrica is the first prescription medication approved to treat fibromyalgia. Lyrica Pfizer Pregabalin is the generic name , binds to receptors in the brain and spinal cord and appears to reduce the activity of the central nervous system. But we do not know exactly how Lyrica works.

Some say that Lyrica does not work well enough to have justified its approval by the FDA. In 2004 the FDA as a cure for diabetic nerve pain , Lyrica review. The authors recommended against approving the drug , citing its side effects. However, the FDA has ignored the views of the authors and approved Lyrica anyway. So Pfizer asked the FDA to expand the approved uses of Lyrica to include the treatment of fibromyalgia, and the agency did in June.

According to clinical trials, patients taking Lyrica reported that their pain was reduced by an average of about 2 points on a scale of 10 points, compared to 1 point for patients taking a placebo. No big deal to say the least .

Approximately 30 percent of patients said their pain was reduced by at least half , compared with 15 percent taking placebos.

The study included 75 participants took Lyrica and 75 took a placebo or sugar pill . Thus, those of 38 had pain Lyrica having at least 50% . But 23 participants receiving placebo had at least a 50 % pain . Lyrica was useful to 15 participants from more than a sugar pill . But at what price ?

Lyrica causes weight gain and edema or swelling , and dizziness and drowsiness. According to the New York Times, in 12-week trials , 9 percent of patients saw their weight gain over 7 percent , and the weight gain seems to continue over time. The following section presents some of the side effects Lyrica "ordinary" :

The liveweight gain

blurred vision

body tremors

Insomnia can be

Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and constipation

Mild to severe headaches

nausea

Swollen hands

Dry mouth

Swollen ankles

dizziness

drowsiness

Fainting can

Many people who have been prescribed Lyrica , then stop taking this medication without the consent of their doctors discovered that suffer from many unpleasant symptoms. This is a direct consequence of the withdrawal of the prescription medication . Many people who start Lyrica to relieve symptoms associated with fibromyalgia do not realize that this drug can be habit forming .

To stop Lyrica treatment, you should talk to a health professional . Then the doctor lays lower and lower doses until you are able to stop treatment without dangerous side effects. Obviously, I 'm not a big fan of Lyrica . I think they are safer and more effective in reversing the symptoms of fibromyalgia means .