This new drug called Lyrica^® (pregabalin), marketed by Pfizer, claims to reduce pain and improve function in patients with fibromyalgia. Some of the side effects include dizziness, sleepiness, blurry vision, weight gain, trouble concentrating, swelling of the hands and feet, and dry mouth. Allergic reactions can also occur. These are rare, but are potentially serious. The FDA advises patients to talk with their doctors about whether using Lyrica will impair their ability to drive.

Fibromyalgia affects 3 million to 6 million people in the United States each year. People with fibromyalgia can experience pain anywhere, but common sites of pain include the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs. In addition to pain and fatigue, other symptoms include: difficulty sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, painful menstrual periods, tin­gling or numbness of hands or feet, and difficulty thinking and remembering. Some people with the condition may also experience irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic pain, restless leg syndrome, and depression.

Although the causes of fibromyalgia remain “unknown” by general medicine, the field of Oriental Medicine believes this condition is due to liver stagnation and toxicity. When the kidneys and liver get overwhelmed by toxins, from foods and the environment, it causes pain and fatigue. Today’s medical options for relief of this condition are pain killers, sleep­ing drugs and muscle relaxants, and psychiatric medications that merely cover up the con­dition. These drugs merely do more damage to the liver and kidneys.

The safest solution for this painful condition is a natural approach such as Acupuncture or Chiropractic. These natural healthcare professionals are trained to find the source of the disease for a natural and more permanent solution for the relief of pain and fatigue.

Source:U.S. Food & Drug Administration, June 2007, http://wwwida.goviconsumer/updatesifibromyalgia062107.html and Acupuncture Today, “Fibromyalgia”. Lyrica^® is a Registered trademark of Pfizer, Inc.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that is characterized by chronic aches and tenderness in the muscles, fatigue and sleep problems. Pain usually occurs in the neck, shoulders, back, hands and pelvis. While there is no permanent damage to the joints or muscles associated with it, the pain it brings can be quite intense and difficult to live with. It is estimated that between 3 to 6 million people in the United States suffer from it each year. Statistics show that more women than men are affected, typically starting in early-to-middle adulthood.

It is interesting to note from the FDA commentary on Lyrica that while some test patients experi­enced a lessening of pain, not all experienced relief from the product. According to Steven Galson, M.D., the director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, “Consumers should understand that some patients did not experience benefit in clinical trials. We still have more progress to make for treatment of this disorder.”

Also interesting is that it was approved even though the maker of the drug, Pfizer Inc., and the FDA were not able to provide detailed information of just how it works. According to the FDA, “Individuals with Fibromyalgia have been shown to experience pain differently from other people. Studies have shown that such patients have decreased pain after taking Lyrica, but the mechanism by which Lyrica produces such an effect is unknown.”

Finally, the FDA included the following warning to people using Lyrica: “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 healthcare professional about whether use of Lyrica may impair their ability to drive.”

Also interesting is that the FDA made no mention of possible alternative methods for treating Fibromyalgia symptoms. These would include a healthy diet, adequate rest, exercise, stretching of affect­ed areas, physical therapy, Chiropractic adjustments or Acupuncture treatments. It’s also noteworthy that this drug was originally targeted toward handling nerve pain associated with diabetes. When its approval was declined, it was retargeted toward Fibromyalgia pain and thus received FDA approval.

Persons suffering from the symptoms of Fibromyalgia should be thoroughly examined by a chiro­practor and/or an acupuncturist given healthy treatment options. This should be done long before consid­ering a drug that showed marginal test results and requires a slew of FDA warnings to consumers.

Source: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, June 2007. http://www.fda.govibbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01656.html and http://www.fda.goviconsumer/updates/fibromyalgia062107.html