Fibromyalgia Studies - Information from Research

What do some fibromyalgia studies reveal about treatments for this health condition?

While there is no definite medical cure for fibromyalgia, most of the treatment options revolve around trying to reduce the pain and improve the quality of sleep. While quality of sleep might not sound as important as controlling the pain, the body repairs tissue and produces antibodies during deep sleep, and therefore reaching that level is very important for people with fibromyalgia.

Several studies have been conducted on people with fibromyalgia in an attempt to figure out how the disease works and how it can best be treated.

DHEA

Some related fibromyalgia studies over the past few years have shown that the hormone DHEA appears to be effective in reducing fatigue and the symptoms that can go along with it. Blood samples were taken from people that suffer from chronic depression, as well as those with connective tissue disease, and the results showed decreased levels of DHEA.

DHEA is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. Sleep interruption, muscle fatigue, and stress can lead to a decrease in DHEA. Over time, there is generally a worsening of the symptoms as the levels continue to drop.

Fibromyalgia studies reveal that patients tend to have low levels of DHEA and can experience a reduction in muscle mass, strength, and endurance. A patient's immunity level might also be compromised, since fibromyalgia patients often suffer from infections. Some studies have been conducted that have proved that DHEA can enhance the immune system.

At the Department of Arthritis and Lupus at Stanford University, it was reported that fatigue and protein loss from kidneys were improved when using a DHEA supplement. In a similar fashion, at the University of San Diego, it was confirmed that DHEA supplements were able to bring renewed energy to the majority of the patients over the age of 50 who had low DHEA levels.

Prescription Drugs

The director of the Women's Health Research Program at the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine thinks that stress and genetics play a role in fibromyalgia. The FDA has only approved two medicines for fibromyalgia treatment, and these are Cymbalta, an antidepressant, and Lyrica, to control pain and seizures.

So how did the fibromyalgia studies on such medicines pan out? Some German researchers have found that in 18 clinical trials, while some patients experienced pain relief from some of the antidepressants, not all of the antidepressants were effective. In addition, some of the antidepressants didn't help with the other symptoms, like the fatigue and sleep disturbances.

For example, Cymbalta helped with the sleep disturbances, depression and pain, but did not give the patient more energy. Prozac, on the other hand, helped with depression and pain, but did not help with the sleep disturbances or fatigue. However, although the antidepressants appeared to be helpful in some instances, some doctors are afraid that fibromyalgia will be viewed as an offshoot of depression, which it is probably not.

An argument exists that while the antidepressants helped in one form or another in these trials, they were not actually being used for their antidepressant elements. They were also being used for improved sleep and as pain killers. This is common, as evidenced by Elavil, an antidepressant, which is commonly prescribed for migraine pain.

Conclusion

While there are some fibromyalgia studies that are coming up with exciting results, it is important to remember that there is still no medical cure for fibromyalgia, although some of the symptoms can be treated on a one by one basis.

Having read a little about fibromyalgia studies, you can find out more about this ailment by reading the other related fibromyalgia articles and pages.

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