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A New Free Report - What Is Fibromyalgia?
This fascinating new report from UK-based publishing house Health Research Today answers some of the most-asked questions about this baffling disease :
- What's the medical definition of Fibromyalgia?
- What are the symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
- What are tender points and what are trigger points? What's the difference?
- What are the known causes of Fibromyalgia?
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Treatments for Fibromyalgia
This article is an extract from the ebook Freedom From Fibromyalgia!
Treating Fibromyalgia With Lyrica
It’s fair to say that fibromyalgia patients want one thing: relief from their symptoms. Many with fibromyalgia work closely with their doctors to find treatment – generally a combination of both medication and therapy – that will help them lessen their symptoms. For many with fibromyalgia, Lyrica is the medication of choice.
First appearing on the market in late 2004, Lyrica was originally aimed at helping those with two nerve pain disorders: post herpetic neuralgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Lyrica has also been prescribed for those with anxiety. However, physicians have also begun treating those with fibromyalgia by prescribing Lyrica in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms.
Quite simply, nerve cells are used to transmit pain signals. Those who have fibromyalgia are believed to have hyperactive nerve cells, and Lyrica is designed to calm the nerves. Therefore, for more and more patients with fibromyalgia, Lyrica is the medication of choice for calming their fibromyalgia symptoms.
According to a study undertaken by Dr. Leslie Crofford, of the University of Kentucky, for those with fibromyalgia, Lyrica alleviated numerous symptoms. The study, published in 2005 in the medical journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, showed those with fibromyalgia who took Lyrica saw an alleviation of pain, had an easier time sleeping, and saw an increase in their activity due to feeling better.
Furthermore, the study found that many of those with fibromyalgia taking Lyrica found a significant reduction in fatigue. More than 500 fibromyalgia patients took part in the study, which also found that the most common side effects were drowsiness and dizziness. The side effects were attributed to the dose of Lyrica fibromyalgia patients were given.
Additionally, for those with fibromyalgia, Lyrica started relieving the study participants’ symptoms as soon as a week after beginning the treatment. For those with fibromyalgia, Lyrica is generally prescribed at a total of 150 milligrams daily, divided into two or three doses. After success with the drug, doctors generally up the dose to 300 milligrams daily.
Your doctor may instruct you to take Lyrica either twice or three times daily. As with all other medications, you want to continue taking the Lyrica even after you symptoms have started to lessen. While it’s tempting to stop taking medication when you start to feel normal again, fight the urge, and keep taking your prescribed doses.
You don’t want to stop taking your doses because you want to continue feeling good. Additionally, if you have fibromyalgia and stop taking the Lyrica suddenly, you could suffer withdrawal symptoms. Always discuss stopping your medication with your doctor before you actually quit taking your prescribed doses.
Sometimes those with fibromyalgia forget to take their scheduled Lyrica dose. It happens to everyone from time-to-time. Take your prescribed dose as soon as you remember unless it’s almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip your first dose and take your second dose as scheduled. With or without fibromyalgia, Lyrica should never be taken in double doses.
For some with fibromyalgia, Lyrica may have one, if not several, side effects. The most common side effects with those taking Lyrica are drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, hands swelling, feet swelling, gaining weight, dry mouth, and difficulty concentrating. Keep in mind that side effects differ from patient-to-patient. As with any medications, do not operate a vehicle until you know how the Lyrica affects you.
If you find that your side effects from Lyrica are severe or don’t go away after several weeks, talk with your doctor. He or she may adjust your dose, or may consider weaning you off of the medication and starting you on a new drug. However, for many with fibromyalgia, Lyrica’s side effects dissipate with time.
Unfortunately, unlike other medications, Lyrica’s manufacturers do not give free samples, instead offering seven day’s worth of medication free. If you do not have health insurance or cannot afford Lyrica for your fibromyalgia, discuss other options with your doctor.
While for many of those with fibromyalgia, Lyrica has alleviated their symptoms to some extent, remember every person’s body reacts differently to medication. If your doctor prescribes Lyrica, make sure you follow his instructions – including how (with food or without) and when to take your daily doses.
© Health Research Today
Read the rest of this article in Freedom From Fibromyalgia!
