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Q: A number of months ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and I am struggling along. Does this get any better? I would like to know, what are the two medications that received FDA approval for the treatment of fibromyalgia? Does anybody know if these might help? I would be so grateful if something would. – Lucy

A: The two medications with FDA approval for the treatment of fibromyalgia are Lyrica and Cymbalta. Lyrica is an anticonvulsant that affects chemicals in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system. Cymbalta is an antidepressant in the SSNRI (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) family. Serotonin and norepinephrine levels are generally low in FM patients.

Whether either new drug will help you is hard to say because everyone responds to medications so differently. Some patients say they have worked miracles for them while others have had bad side effects from them. Talk to your doctor about them so together you can evaluate your past experiences with medications and determine if it would be a good idea for you to try one of these drugs.

To answer your question as to whether FM gets any better – that, too, depends on the individual. Most eventually do have some improvement. Unfortunately, it’s still a matter of trial and error to find the best treatment combination for you. The majority of FM patients who report significant improvement have put together a treatment combo consisting of medication, alternative therapies (such as myofascial release therapy, acupuncture, yoga, etc.), moderate exercise, and lifestyle changes. Take charge of your healthcare and don’t give up and you’ll find the combo that works for you.

FM Clinical Trial Location Near Me?

Q: Re: “New Fibromyalgia Drug Trial Recruiting More than 1,100 Subjects at 124 Locations in US and Canada”

I went into the area where it gives the location of the clinical studies for the drug Reboxetine. It lists a Cleveland area which is where I am, but when I click into the area that brings up the link to go to for a specific location, it tells me the link is not working on your site. Would you be able to give me the specific contact location in Cleveland, Ohio, since I cannot access the link on the computer? – Carolyn

A: The study organizers are now routing enquiries about the 124 study locations through a central 800 number. To get information for the study location nearest you: Use the Pfizer ClinicalTrials.gov Call Center for the study (1-800-718-1021). The service will ask you to leave a message with:

• Your name
• A phone number where you can be reached
• Your city, state, and zip code.
• The study ID number (NCT00612170)
• Its title "A 14-week, multi-center study of [S,S]-Reboxetine in patients with fibromyalgia."

Handouts for Doctors, Family and Support Group?

Q: I had found where you could have FM info sent to your home. It was pamphlets from the Web site and I would like more to hand out to educate the many doctors and my family. But I can’t remember where to sign up. Can you please help? – slxxflves

A: Click on the top message in ImmuneSupport.com’s ME/CFS & FM message board (http://www.immunesupport.com/chat/forums/index.cfm?B=FM) This will bring up an order form you can fill out to order copies of the free “Fibromyalgia & ME/CFS Information Guide.” And to ensure that you stay informed about other special ProHealth offerings for support groups, send your group contact information to our special liaison, Janice Brown - jbrown@prohealth.com

Guaifenesin by Prescription?

Q: I just got to wondering if my MD could order guafenesin through a formulary pharmacy and I could get it by prescription again. It is getting harder and harder to find and more and more expensive. I've had to get it online and I always wonder about the suppliers.

A: Most insurance companies will not pay for prescription guaifenesin because it is readily available over-the-counter. If your insurance company agrees to pay for it, a formulary pharmacy should be able to provide it. If in doubt call your pharmacist. They are usually very willing to answer your medication- and supplement-related questions. With regard to the quality of guaifenesin bought online, your pharmacist should be able to help you identify reputable sources likely to ensure purity and potency (as does ProHealth through its routine third-party lab testing program).

Magnesium Sulfate Injections?

Q: My husband used to give me these painful [magnesium sulfate] shots twice a week. It takes 4 minutes to give the injection very, very slowly. My doctor wants me to start doing this again (ugh!) and I sure wish I had paid attention to a news item on TV that said there was something they can now put in with the magnesium sulfate to make the injections less painful. Has anyone heard of this? – Pepper

A: Dr. Paul Cheney, MD, adds taurine to make it a little less painful (http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/4042). The dose is 1/2cc magnesium sulfate 50% (which is about 250 mg), 1.5cc taurine. It is injected high on the hip, pushing in 1/2cc at time, slowly. (And as always, consider this generic information that you should bring to your own personal doctor for his/her review and direction.)

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Note: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is generic and is not meant to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any illness, condition, or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.