If the title sounds like the words to a song, well, Lyrica® may just be sending Pfizer Inc. singing their way to the bank once more. The FDA has just approved Pregabalin AKA Lyrica® as a treatment for fibromyalgia (FM) and has released on their website an article about it named: “Living with Fibromyalgia”. How about “Living WITHOUT fibromyalgia”.

Now, I have my own theory regarding fibromyalgia, and I’ll write about it soon. But how is it that a drug that has been approved for treating seizures, pain from shingles and pain associated with diabetes nerve damage has now become the first drug to treat fibromyalgia?

What needs to be considered is that there are blood tests and other diagnostic means to diagnose diabetes, shingles and seizures. And I can see how once a positive diagnosis has been made, a method of treatment could be formulated.

Should then we remind the FDA that as of today, there is no way to diagnose FM? That’s right, no blood test, MRI, X-rays. The only approach is to test 18 points in the body with digital pressure. And should at least 11 of these points be tender, then a diagnosis of FM is made. And yes, I know, all those other ‘symptoms’ of FM such as poor memory, lack of sleep, brain fog, depression, poor digestion and the generalized pain are all part of this syndrome’s diagnosis.

Let me suggest to you that if you are in constant pain, then you can’t sleep, you become depressed, can’t think clearly and so on.. These are NOT symptoms of FM. Millions of people around the world suffer with these problems. These are side effects brought about from being in constant pain.

Now, how on earth does a drug with side effects similar to the symptoms of the syndrome it seeks to treat obtain FDA approval? From the FDA’s website:

The most common side effects of Lyrica include mild-to-moderate dizziness and sleepiness. Blurred vision, weight gain, dry mouth, and swelling of the hands and feet also were reported in clinical trials. The side effects appeared to be dose-related. Lyrica can impair motor function and cause problems with concentration and attention. FDA advises that patients talk to their doctor or other health care professional about whether use of Lyrica may impair their ability to drive.

And, should you discontinue to use Lyrica® then:

They also demonstrated that symptoms of fibromyalgia worsened when Lyrica was withdrawn.

So once you start taking this drug, you become a slave to it! That’s right! Because if you stop, according to them, the symptoms will come back with a vengeance. Here’s a link to 10 Things You Should Know About Lyrica.

But you are not the one in pain! I am!, shouts the afflicted. And you are right. But let me suggest to you that there are alternatives available should you be willing to become an active participant in the healing process. An “active participant”? What do you mean? I mean that to deal with this so called FM syndrome, you need to do much more than in the past.. Lyrica® and any other medication turns you into a passive participant. All you need to do is take a pill. Is that really what you want? One more pill in top of the other half a dozen you are now taking?

Anyway, I wrote this early this morning and there’s much more I can say about this and will in future entries. But for now, what do you think?

(I just read where they are going to do trial studies on children with fibromyalgia. A new demon is being created!)

anything that can help i will be slave to it

I am so happy you’ve made this comments.. While as a practitioner I’m very happy for the placebo effect, it also begs the question as to how effective these drugs really are..and the use of drugs such as Lyrica and in your case valtrex, further underscores the fact that they (pharmaceutiacal companies and doctors), really have no idea what’s really going on… No wonder we all have a “practice”.. and the patients become the guinea pigs. Yet, insurance companies, The FDA, and all the powers that be, raise eyebrows when the thought of ancient systems of healing are sought by those who are tired of the their “practice” game… Boy, I better not get started..

By the way, anything you write on this comments page is posted for the public to see..

Take care,

Fernando

Hi Fernando,
I finally went to your web site. It’s very informative. I actually was diagnosed with FM a couple of years ago, went into a “study” with the drug they use to treat the herpes virus....valtrex. I was told I had CFS & FM. It was a very awful time for me. When the study was over, I had been taking a “placebo” the whole time. I did feel better, not sure why because obviously it wasn’t because of the drug (placebo).
I will be in to see you again. It’s just that I’ve got to submit my claims so far to get back some of the money in order to continue on.
thanks
Sabina