For many years people suffered with an unknown malady that doctors could not see, find on an x-ray, or get lab results to indicate the cause of such suffering. They merely treated the symptoms; gave you drugs designed for other illnesses, or told you that you were depressed or suffering from anxiety.
Those are the waste basket diagnosis for anything they can’t see outlined by some machine. But the disease continued to manifest itself in the lives of so many; especially in women.
However, many men also suffer from this sometimes debilitating disease. But when the mother of the family comes down with a chronic disease, the whole family suffers as well.
There are no known causes of this now verified disease; but there is a lot of speculation. Whatever the cause, it seems to attack the nerves throughout the body.
At first, they thought it was only the pain that patients experienced; and as they began to listen to their patients more closely they began to see a pattern of other symptoms. Sleeplessness, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, confusion later termed “fibro-fog.” They began to see that patients were not going crazy; and while mild depression is also a part of the disease, it was not the cause of it.
Then the CDC came up with criteria for physicians to determine if in fact a patient did in fact have Fibromyalgia. See CDC criteria. http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htm
There has been no definitive drug formulated to ease the pain; or bring about a cure for this malady. However, recently we see advertised on TV a new drug just for Fibromyalgia. But as with all medications, it is not without risk and side effects.
Dr. Murphree quotes Thomas Edison as saying, "The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease." While Mr. Edison was partially correct about the new interest in healthy choices and exercise; he was dead wrong about doctors not prescribing medications. This is a multi, multi billion dollar business.
A 90 year old lady living in Jackson, Georgia said, “When we were growing up you didn’t go to the doctor unless you were bleeding to death, had a serious injury, or were violently ill. Otherwise, you were taken care of at home. If a family member were ever admitted to the hospital you knew for sure they were a goner."
She also said that going to the country doctor would net you a throat swab, a shot of penicillin, or a cough medicine – no chest X-rays, and expensive test. He would either give you something to make you well or you would die.
To this day, she still will not go to a doctor unless it is absolutely mandatory; and attributes her long life to that fact.
Dr. Murphree has a medical-chiropractic nutritional background. He has been in private practice since 1990. You can read more about who he is at: http://treatingandbeatingfibroblog.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html Left of column
As a Fibromyalgia sufferer of many years, his column caught my eye in regard to the new medication call Lyrica. I felt it important enough to share with the millions who are suffering to the point that they will try just about anything.
Dr. Murphree seems to be totally at odds with this medication and feels that it should never have been approved by the FDA. He states his reasons in full at:: http://treatingandbeatingfibroblog.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html Main subject
He states Lyrica was initially reviewed by the FDA as a remedy for diabetic nerve pain similar to Neurotin. (This is another drug that has serious side effects; and has been banned in some foreign countries.)
Dr. Murphree said? “The reviewers recommended against approving the drug, citing its side effects. Lyrica causes weight gain and edema, or swelling, as well as dizziness and sleepiness. According to the New York Times, in 12-week trials, 9 percent of patients saw their weight rise more than 7 percent, and the weight gain appeared to continue over time”.
He goes on: “But the FDA ignored the advice of Lyrica reviewers, and approved it anyway. Then Pfizer asked the FDA to expand the approved uses of Lyrica to include the treatment of fibromyalgia, and the agency did so. It was a good move for Pfizer. According to the New York Times, worldwide sales of Lyrica reached $1.8 billion in 2007, up 50 percent from 2006. Analysts predict sales will rise an additional 30 percent this year, helped by consumer advertising. During the first nine months of 2007, Pfizer spent $46 million on Lyrica ads alone.”
He cites the following side effects of this medication. It should be noted here that patients with Fibromyalgia have reactions to many types of chemicals such as perfumes, household cleaners, and other chemicals that seem not to bother others. Drugs are mostly chemicals.
Dr. Murphree cites these side effects and therefore feels that this is not a good medication for those who suffer from this disease.
- Experiencing Weight Gain
- Blurred Vision
- Body Tremors
- Possible Insomnia
- Gastrointestinal Difficulties, such as Diarrhea and Constipation
- Mild to Severe Headaches
- Nausea
- Swelling in Hands
- Dry Mouth
- Swelling in Ankles
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Possible Fainting
Today we have tools to help educate ourselves in regard to the illnesses and maladies that we may have; namely the computer.
With the high cost of medications these days, the willingness of physicians to write you whatever you last saw on TV, it would behoove you to check out the medications online before spending money and then flushing them down the toilet.
Many times medications will have side effects that are worst than the illnesses they treat.
Click on this image chart and then on the individual photos to read more about this drug: http://www.bing.com/images/results.aspx?q=lyrica+side+effects&form=MSND14&qs=SC&sk=AS2&pq=lycrica&sp=3&sc=7-7
One photo especially bothered me - the one with the extremely swollen leg.
Read, be informed, talk to your doctor, research, and then you decide. Be the captain of your own medical ship.
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