How We Treat Fibromyalgia Pain
Standard Fibromyalgia Medicines and Fibromyalgia Natural Remedies
CONTENTS:
- Standard Medicines to Treat Fibromyalgia Pain
- Dr. Podell’s Innovative Medicines for Fibromyalgia
- Natural Fibromyalgia Treatments
- Fibromyalgia and Naltrexone
- Fibromyalgia and Medical Marijuana
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When we treat Fibromyalgia (FMS) we often turn first to prescribing medicines. But, we get the best results by far, when we also take advantage of natural Fibromyalgia therapies to strengthen the body’s natural healing systems. On this page we first review Fibromyalgia’s medication treatment options, then natural Fibromyalgia therapies including nutritional and herbal remedies.
Standard Medicines To Treat Fibromyalgia Pain
Just a few years ago, our treatment center had only one medicine which had been proved effective for Fibromyalgia pain. That medicine was Elavil (amitryptiline), an anti-depressant medicine that also has the ability to combat several forms of nerve pain including migraine, diabetic nerve damage and shingles. Today, Fibromyalgia centers can offer three new medicines approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration): Cymbalta, Savella and Lyrica. When these medicines work, they are very helpful. But, each only works for about 30-50% of patients. Often their benefits are limited because of side effects. These limitations create a special need for the creative use of innovative medicines to help Fibromyalgia. It also invites a role for vitamins, minerals, herbs and other natural Fibromyalgia therapies.
Dr. Podell’s Innovative Medicines for Fibromyalgia
The medicines listed below have all been approved by the FDA for various uses other than Fibromyalgia. But all have some evidence, studies or anecdotes, suggesting that they can also help at least certain sub-groups of persons with Fibromyalgia pain. Our Fibromyalgia clinic’s experience is that each of these medicines helps fewer than half of patients who try them. But they do help enough people to be definitely worth exploring.
Potentially Useful Innovative Fibromyalgia Treatments
Medicine | Conditions Usually Used For | FMS Double- Blind Studies |
---|---|---|
Neurontin/gabapentin | Seizure Disorders, Nerve Pain, Migraine Headache | Yes |
Flexeril/cyclobenzaprine | Muscle relaxant, Sleep aid | Yes |
Lidoderm/Lidocaine Patch | Local areas of pain | No |
Zanaflex/tizanidine | Muscle spasms related to Multiple Sclerosis or Spinal Cord Injury | No |
Baclofen | Muscle Spasms Related to Multiple Sclerosis | No |
Trazadone | Sleep aid, Depression | No |
Klonopin/clonazepam | Anxiety, Seizure Disorder | No |
Mirapex/pramipexole | Parkinson’s Disease | Yes |
Xyrem/sodium oxybate | Narcolepsy | Yes |
Low dose Naltrexone | Reduce dependency on opioid narcotic drugs See additional information on Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) | Yes |
Zofran/odansetron | Nausea | No |
Thyroid hormone supplement | Thyroid problems | No |
Namenda (memantine) | Alzheimer’s Dementia | No |
Ultram (tramadol) | Pain | Yes |
Additional Medicine Treatments not approved by the FDA
Imunovir/Isoprinosine, an anti-viral and immune boosting drug, is recommended by several prominent chronic fatigue physician specialists to improve fatigue. It is not FDA approved. However, with a medical prescription it is legal to obtain Imunovir mail-order from a Canadian pharmacy.
Medical Marijuana: Strong anecdotal testimony suggests that Marijuana can reduce Fibromyalgia pain in a substantial proportion of patients. New Jersey's Medical Marijuana Program is just getting off the ground. To Learn more, please see Fibromyalgia and The New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program.
Fibromyalgia Natural Remedies - Holistic Support for the Body’s Natural Healing Systems
Our center’s experience is that most people with Fibromyalgia also have digestive, nutritional, metabolic and/or hormonal imbalances. These act as obstacles to healing. Compared to medicines, natural Fibromyalgia treatments are not as well researched. But our experience has been that several natural treatments for Fibromyalgia can at times be helpful. These may include:
- Vitamins: riboflavin, thiamine, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12
- Amino Acid: N-Acetyl Cysteine, S - adenosine methionine (SAMe)
- Minerals: magnesium, Zinc
- Energy Related nutrients: Acetyl-L-Carnitine, coenzyme Q, Lipoid Acid
- Muscle Metabolism: Branch chain amino acids, Creatine, Whey protein
- Anti-inflammatory treatments: Curcumin, high cocoa containing chocolate, Guaifenesin, Pycnogenol
- Gastro-intestinal natural remedies: Probiotics, Digestive Enzyme, Gluten Elimination, Food Allergy elimination, Candida Yeast Treatment
- Herbal Remedies: Ginkgo, Ginseng
Our Fibromyalgia clinic offers specialized tests to check blood levels of important vitamins, minerals, and energy-related nutrients. Specialized tests are also available to evaluate digestive enzymes, healthy bacteria in the gut, sensitivity to gluten, organic acids, amino acids and other metabolic and hormonal factors.
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania Fibromyalgia patients: Please contact us for more information on Fibromyalgia natural remedies.