FDA OKs Lyrica as 1st Fibromyalgia Drug

[flamingyouth]

June 21, 2007 -- The FDA today approved Lyrica as the first drug treatment for fibromyalgia. Lyrica isn't a cure, but it may ease fibromyalgia pain for some patients, according to the FDA.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder of the muscles and related soft tissue, including ligaments and tendons. Its main symptoms are muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tender points at certain points of the body.

Fibromyalgia affects about 3 million to 6 million people in the U.S each year. The disorder mostly affects women and typically develops in early to middle adulthood, according to the FDA.

There is no test for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Doctors make a diagnosis by conducting physical examinations, evaluating symptoms, and ruling out other conditions.

Lyrica is already approved by the FDA for the treatment of nerve pain caused by shingles and by diabetes. The drug also reduces some forms of epileptic seizures.

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/news/20070621/fda-oks-lyrica_as_1st-fibromyalgia-drug

I've taken this for my Trigeminal Neuralgia before and I've also taken Neurontin. I hope this is helpful for people; it's expensive, though. :(

[Eurobabe]

1. There are some doctors who believe that fibro is low thyroid

meaning that the body cannnot somehow process the active thyroid hormone T3. See this website by Dr. John Lowe, he is well-respected in my thyroid forum. Just another angle.

http://www.drlowe.com/index.htm

[hyphenate]

5. That's what it ended up being

for someone I know. But my own thyroid tests have all been smack dab in the middle. I've been diagnosed for almost 14 years now, and lately, it's only been getting worse. If it were hypothyroidism, it would have manifested itself by now. I do have diabetic neuropathy in my legs, but I'm sure there is something else wrong, because I went from walking in December to completely dependent on a cane by April. You can't get that bad on the neuropathy alone.

All I can say is that I am very glad though, that I live in these modern times, though perhaps a little bit further in history would have been nice. They are making some progress in finding out more and more about fibro scientifically, and that's what we need. 8 years ago, my cardiologist said he "didn't believe in fibromyyalgia" and as a consequence, I stopped seeing him. I'd like to shove the research papers down his throat.

[mopinko]

10. i had a doctor tell me that as well.

someone i saw for 7 years, and who i thought of as more than just a doctor. when i figured out that i had fibro, she said, oh, i didn't use to believe in that, but my uncle was dx'ed with it......
i nearly threw her out the window. 7 years. and everything that slipped away in those 7 years. i guess i was supposed to be happy with her sympathy.
doing much better now, thanks. i would be out trying to get on this drug, but i do not trust what is coming out of the bush fda. i will wait until it has been "beta tested".

[flamingyouth]

11. I just started on thyroid meds last week.

I opted to take Naturethroid instead of Synthroid (I see a naturopath in addition to my regular doctor). I have to say that after a couple of days my pain has started to decrease a little. I go back to see her tomorrow. I don't know when she'll increase my dosage, but she said she'll do it gradually.

[Susang]

2. I loved it when I was on it

With the exception of the 20lbs I gained in a month. :wow:

Now I'm on a high dose of neurontin and it's happening again. I really hate this shit. :-(

[Warpy]

3. I just switched from a mild opiate to Ultram

and I feel like I've died and gone to heaven. I still feel the spasms, but the pain is MINOR. I can FUNCTION and all the opiate fog rolled out and my mind feels clearer than it's been in years, unfogged by either pain or drugs.

If it lasts, it'll be some time before I need to add any other crap to the fistful of pills I take every day.

[ThomCat]

4. It's wonderful to hear when something is working well.

That's awesome.

[Lindsey]

6. Flexiril is helping me more than I thought if would..

I've had very few side effects (that I know of). I haven't heard of this new drug but I'm glad that they are working on other options.

[flamingyouth]

8. Flexiril has helped me too.

It definitely helps me sleep. :)

[flamingyouth]

7. Great news!

I'm so glad to hear you're getting some relief. :thumbsup:

[ncrainbowgrrl]

13. I can relate.

Are you using the long lasting version? (Ultram ER) - relatively new- (24 hr time release!!) or the old type where you can get the generic tramadol?

I had used the older one several times last year for neck/head stuff, and when I found out about the newer one- well, it's my new migraine rescue med. No more stronger opiates for me... I'm perfectly clearheaded, reflexes aren't diminished, etc...

It's definitely not as strong as the "vicodins of the world," but, it is scheduled differently, can be called in, and can have refills on it. :bounce:

No- I'm not giving medical advice. Just my own experience... I got excited when I saw someone else who was getting help from one of the few pain relievers that my head doesn't rebound from!

:bounce:

[blondeatlast]

9. When my db neuropathy flares up, Lyrica has been a godsend.

My SIL has fibromyalgia and the pain seems to be similar to mine as she describes it so maybe this is promising.

I know the pains is horrible for her and she is going to discuss Lyrica with her doctor.

[BlackVelvet04]

12. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 30 years ago....

they didn't even call it fibromyalgia at the time. I suffered for years until recently. I started taking Grape Seed Extract and Probiotics for an overgrowth of yeast. After a week or so I found that my fibromyalgia pain was almost gone. I wasn't even counting on what I was taking to get rid of yeast much less help the fibromyalgia. I was a bit of a skeptic but not any more.

[Nite Owl]

14. That's great

so much better than all these drugs with their side effects. What dose did you take and do you need to keep taking it daily?

I don't remember not having fibro! it gets better sometimes, never goes away though and when it flares only someone who has it can know what you go through.

[Ladyhawk]

15. Interesting. I'm already on it. :) n/t

[flamingyouth]

16. Has it helped you?

I hope so. :)

[efilon]

17. I take flexeril at bedtime

Really helps me sleep, I don't wake up with pain during the night. I have a doctor who really DOESN'T believe in fibromyalgia. He did prescribe flexeril for me though and finally referred me to a rheumatologist who also told me "We don't feel that fibromyalgia is really a disease any more...it's just de-conditioning. Quit smoking, (4 weeks smoke free tomorrow),lose weight and exercise." :nopity: Oh sure, I'll get right on that!!!! Think I've finally got the smoking kicked, of course I'm sure I've gained several pounds. When I try to treadmill or exercise it hurts worse for a day or so. I don't know if getting some exercise in every third day is what the dr. had in mind but it's all I can do for now.
Think I'll just stick with flexeril since generics are free for me. I already have to take so many medications for many different problems I hate to add a new one. Otherwise, I'm just great! :-)

[southerncrone]

18. I found Lyrica to have weird & scary side-effects for me.

It was prescribed after I had lumbar fusion surgery on my back. I was experiencing nerve pain in my right foot 1 month after the surgery (could not sleep even w/sleeping pills & pain med.) & doc prescribed Lyrica for it. It did help the nerve pain, but it stole my brain. I thought I was going crazy. I could not think of the most common words in conversation. I'm talking about words like "table" & "water" & other words that I use every day. My memory was wiped out,too.

I finally found some blogs on net & discovered others had the same symptoms while on this drug. There were some other disturbing side effects that I didn't have (& didn't want!),also. I immediately went off Lyrica! That was 8 mos. ago. I still have memory loss; I suppose that might be permanent after this long a time.

I WOULD ADVISE NO ONE USE THIS DRUG UNLESS YOUR PAIN IN UNBEARABLE & THEN I'D TRY SOMETHING ELSE INSTEAD! :thumbsdown:

[shireen]

19. can you PM those blog urls to me, please? I'd like to learn more.

I've been taking Lyrica for more than a year, and it's been my miracle drug. (Took it for a mysterious PN in arms, and upper body itch that developed after a gall bladder infection). But I'm concerned to hear about memory loss symptoms.

[flamingyouth]

20. Yikes, how scary.

That's listed as a possible side effect in 1-3% of users, depending on the dosage, but it's weird that it didn't go away after you stopped using it. :(

I have a similar (but less severe) problem with Topamax, but I still take it because I can't handle the pain of my migraines. (My speech gets a little messed up at times, I've noticed.) I'm so sorry that happened to you. :(

[Pacifist Patriot]

21. I suspect I will be diagnosed with fibromyalgia next week.

My new doctor (the one I switched to because the last one assured me the pain was all in my head), drew blood earlier this week and is screening for lupus (I highly doubt it), thyroid problems, arthritis and a number of other things. However, from everything I have been reading FMS makes total sense while everything else just doesn't seem quite right.

I really resist the idea of going on drugs. I read the product information sheet on lyrica last night and did not like what I saw for potential side effects. After the last couple of days though, I might be willing to try anything. *sigh*

[mopinko]

22. i started this last week.

had some pain and nerve weirdness lingering after discectomy, so the neuro prescribed this. since i have fibro (and was not surprised by the length of recovery time i am dealing with.) i was happy to give it a try. it has been a week, and it is starting to work on the buzziness (?) i have in my finger. pain, so far not so much, although it is not that serious.
it seems to be interfering with my sleep a little. this might be a good thing, since i sleep way too much. but if it doesn't also help with my energy levels, and other fibro bs, i think that will be bad in the long run.
so, i am waiting, and hoping. but i know how hillary feels, trying to be the one to tamp down hope. on this one, i just want to wait and see.

[pnwmom]

23. My fibromyalgia went away with no drugs. It had two main causes:

Mold growing under the carpet -- when the mold was discovered and eliminated my asthma got better -- which was no surprise. But within a few days my fibromyalgia also went away.

Ten years later, I was achy again, but I attributed it to age. Then I went off gluten because intestinal symptoms had led to blood tests that indicated a sensitivity to gluten. Not only did the GI symptoms go away, but so did fibromyalgia and restless legs.