Better to Treat Fibromyalgia Early, Experts Say

A study from Sweden published online in Medical News Today (Oct 2009) found that study participants had decreased activity in the area of the brain which inhibits pain. In other words, the brains of people who have fibromyalgia are less effective at suppressing painful stimuli. The researchers involved in the study state that drugs can be effective in reducing levels of pain in people who suffer from fibromyalgia, but are more effective when given early in the condition.

According to the researchers, SNRIs (like Savella and Cymbalta) can effectively target pain symptoms in fibromyalgia. However, the researchers found that subjects who were treated earlier after presentation of symptoms had greater success with these drugs. This underscores the notion that fibromyalgia should be investigated and diagnosed sooner rather than later so that effective pain therapy can be started.

Many people who suffer from fibromyalgia feel misunderstood by the medical profession, who may wrongly assume that symptoms are not real or are a by-product of depression or anxiety. Researchers found that there was no correlation between the sensitivity to pain of fibromyalgia sufferers in the study and levels of anxiety or depression. Studies such as these provide evidence that fibromyalgia is a physiological condition, and not a mental condition as is sometimes erroneously assumed.

Slowly but surely, researchers are learning more about what fibromyalgia is and possible reasons why it occurs. These types of studies help to further fibromyalgia as a true medical condition with known and recognized symptoms. In time, studies of this nature will lead to new and more effective treatments for this frustrating, painful and debilitating condition.