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Immune Modulating Treatments for Fibromyalgia

 
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Fibromyalgia related image Photo: Getty Images

New treatments for fibromyalgia are based on research into the role of inflammatory cytokines in the mechanism of pain production. Most of us are familiar with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen to treat headaches and other minor pain conditions. More powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, the corticosteroids, are now being considered for chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia. In addition, intravenous immunoglobulin and ultraviolet light have been tested for fibromyalgia pain, with promising results.

While the NSAIDs target the production of one type of inflammatory chemical, the corticosteroids reduce the production of several inflammatory chemicals and modify the function of white blood cells. They can either increase or decrease the perception of pain. This type of action is called a paradoxical effect. A recent report from The Rockefeller University suggested that corticosteroid treatment may be developed as a first line therapy for pain management.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was commercialized in the early 1980's as a treatment for immune deficiencies. It is produced from the plasma of a large number of healthy blood donors (similar to the clotting factor used for hemophilia). It is now used for a large number of autoimmune and systemic inflammatory conditions. This seems paradoxical as well, since we generally view immune deficiencies as “too little”, and autoimmune conditions as “too much” of the normal immune response. IVIg is even used for some transplant patients, who require powerful immune suppression, and for some patients with sepsis. A recent review article reported evidence that IVIg may be effective at reducing pain in chronic pain syndromes as well.

A very different immune-modulating treatment is ultraviolet light from tanning beds. A study from the Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina showed reduced pain levels plus improvements in positive affect, well-being, and relaxation from six weeks of UV light. The subjects exposed to UV light had better scores than control subjects exposed to non-UV light. UV light has previously been shown to reduce inflammation in other conditions.

References:

1. Di Franco M et al, “Neuroendocrine immunology of fibromyalgia”, Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Apr; 1193: 84-90.

2. McEwen BS et al, “The role of corticosteroids and stress in chronic pain conditions”, Metabolism. 2010 Oct; 59 Suppl 1: S9-15.

3. Goebel A, “Immunoglobulin responsive chronic pain”, J Clin Immunol. 2010 May; 30 Suppl 1: S103-8.

4. Hartung HP et al, “Clinical applications of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) beyond immunodeficiencies and neurology”, Clin Exp Immunol. 2009 Dec; 158 Suppl 1: 23-33.

5. Taylor SL et al, “Pilot study of the effect of ultraviolet light on pain and mood in fibromyalgia syndrome”, J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Jan; 15(1): 15-23.

6. More information on corticosteroids:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/drugs/corticosteroids/hic_corticosteroids.aspx

Linda Fugate is a scientist and writer in Austin, Texas. She has a Ph.D. in Physics and an M.S. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering. Her background includes academic and industrial research in materials science. She currently writes song lyrics and health articles.

Add a Comment10 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I have just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia on December 5, 2016. I had the symptoms for a long time and it became unbearable. I am a Head Start preschool teacher and my attitude changed, short tempered. It was time for me to retire. I am tired all the time and all I want to do is sleep. I don't sleep well at night. I stopped taking naps because I am able to sleep the whole night. I know that I have to take one day at a time. This is not a mind over matter in this situation. I had support from my doctors, family and friends. i looked further for an alternative treatments, and then a friend of mine told me about Health Herbal Clinic in Johannesburg who sell herbal formula for diseases including FIBROMYALGIA disease, I contacted the herbal clinic via their website and purchased the fibromyalgia herbal remedy. I received the herbal remedy through DHL couriers within 8 days and i immediately commenced usage as prescribed, i used the herbal remedy for about a month and 1 week, my condition has greatly improved, all my symptoms including Chronic muscle pain, Abdominal pain, nausea, I am fibromyalgia free! contact Health Herbal Clinic via their email healthherbalclinic@ gmail. com or visit www. healthherbalclinic. weebly. com

May 1, 2017 - 1:35am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I have had fibromyalgia for at least 30 years. My initial symptoms were fatigue and lower back pain which were manageable, and I also became sensitive to hot and cold. I'm a 69 year old male working but struggling with pain. It really kicked in in 1999 with widespread pain and extreme fatigue. I went on to develop pneumonia and during my stay in hospital had all the tests which came back positive with just minor wear and tear to my lumber region. I was discharged and told to get on with it and fought my way back to some kind of fitness again. I then had a breakdown and was admitted to a psychiatric ward following a botched suicide attempt. Somehow I clawed my way back to normality but as always the underlying issues were always there. Around 2012 I had another flare up with all the usual issues but this time my skin became sensitive around the back of my neck. Lots of tests over a 12 month period and again everything was positive. During this period I managed to work but, and just about hold my job down. I decided to find a permanent cure ,so one day i saw so many post about perfecthealthherbalmedicinehome,a women posted she was cured totally from fibromyalgia with the help of perfecthealthherbalmedicine,i was so impressed by the post,so i decided to purchase the herbal medicine for fibromyalgia,i receive the herbal medicine within 2 days ,i was told to use the herbal medicine twice daily for 6 weeks,which i did ,after 6 weeks of usage i was free from fatigue ,lower back pain,and all the symptoms disappeared ,now am totally free from fibromyalgia,please contact perfecthealth to get your own cure .
website. (perfecthealthherbalmedicine @ gmail .com)
(www. perfecthealthherbal. weebly. com).
telephone:+15865016759

April 24, 2017 - 7:31pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I have just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia on December 5, 2016. I had the symptoms for a long time and it became unbearable. I am a Head Start preschool teacher and my attitude changed, short tempered. It was time for me to retire. I am tired all the time and all I want to do is sleep. I don't sleep well at night. I stopped taking naps because I am able to sleep the whole night. I know that I have to take one day at a time. This is not a mind over matter in this situation. I had support from my doctors, family and friends. i looked further for an alternative treatments, and then a friend of mine told me about Health Herbal Clinic in Johannesburg who sell herbal formula for diseases including FIBROMYALGIA disease, I contacted the herbal clinic via their website and purchased the fibromyalgia herbal remedy. I received the herbal remedy through DHL couriers within 8 days and i immediately commenced usage as prescribed, i used the herbal remedy for about a month and 1 week, my condition has greatly improved, all my symptoms including Chronic muscle pain, Abdominal pain, nausea, I am fibromyalgia free! contact Health Herbal Clinic via their email healthherbalclinic@ gmail. com or visit www. healthherbalclinic. weebly. com

April 4, 2017 - 2:24pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

My dear brothers and sisters, I am about to tell you how God through the help of an herbal doctor saved the life of my only brother. Fredrick Machel is my name I live in Boston, USA. My brother's name is John Machel. My only brother four years ago fell ill, and at first was diagnosed of high fever which resulted into him having critical health issues. Two years ago, he was diagnosed of FIBROMYALGIA he was having chronic muscle pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and painful tender points or trigger points, we tried so many medications but none worked for him. I search the internet for possible cure but none was found until i came across a note of testimony made by a man named James Watt on the internet where he claimed that a herbal doctor by name Doctor Uwadia Amenifo cured his cousin of a chronic disease that is worst than FIBROMYALGIA. So I tried to reach the testifier James Watt to ask if there could be any hope from this herbal man towards assisting my brother to finding cure to his ailment. So he emailed me after two days and gave me the contact details of the said doctor. So I emailed the doctor and explained to him what my only brother is going through. And he said no problem that my brother will be healthy again. At first I doubted him because he said it so easily, and at this stage I was so curious and I asked him what he meant by my brother will be healthy again. So then he told me that he have some powerful herbs that can cure FIBROMYALGIA. To cut the long story short, I akin to his advise and counseling. So he told me all I would do, and after all arrangement was made, he started sending herbs to my brother. Behold just two weeks after my brother started using his herbs he began to improve, and as I speak to you today my brother is healthy and free from FIBROMYALGIA. So when I see that my brother have regained back his health I contacted Doctor Uwadia to tell him of the good news. And he asks me to help tell people across the world how powerful his herbs can be. And that is exactly what I am doing now. Brothers and sisters i want you all to help me say a big thanks to God and also to Doctor Uwadia Amenifo. He is really a wonderful herbal doctor. So in case you wish to treat yourself or your close one of diseases please i strongly recommend Doctor Uwadia Amenifo to you all. You can either reach him on his email ([email protected]), or you call him on his cell (+2349052015874). God bless you all.

December 13, 2015 - 2:42pm

I have had fibro for a very long time, it took about 5 years to even get a diagnosis. I have done physical therapy as well as Cymbalta (which worked very well for me) and an assortment of other meds, when I found that I have liver damage from all the medications I was taking, I weaned myself off of everything.I take Lortab (hydrocodone) when I have flares and try to manage the rest of the time on my own. Its tough, but the hardest thing I think for any of us with fibro is the depression that goes along with it and keeping a positive attitude, especially since fibro doen't travel alone, it brings a multitude of "friends", IBS, Fibro Fog and others..Just Hang in there, the National Fibro Assoc., and others are making great strides to help us all. Thanks

October 27, 2011 - 7:40am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi. I was very interested in your article about IVIg treatments because I had several of them and I did seem to feel better, but each time I was told that it was in short supply and my insurance would not pay again. So disappointing to find something that helps and it is taken away from you. Has anything changed in the past 5 years regarding insurance payment and availability for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue.
Thanks Jan

October 26, 2011 - 4:04pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

There are many treatments for fibromyalgia and continue creating more but it is advisable to consult with a specialist which is given for each person.
Anxiety Health
Antianxiety-drugs.com

October 5, 2011 - 5:01pm

Thanks, I will check hydrocodone, never heard about it..Yet I have been living with it for 20 years.

January 22, 2011 - 7:30pm
(reply to liora meidan)

I have been fighting for 20 plus years also. None of the meds I've tried have not worked. Just recently saw a Fibro/CFS specialist. Hoping to get some help from him. Located in Annapolis, MD. Was tested for 23 different things. Will let you know how it goes.

February 15, 2011 - 11:00am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Fibromyalgia is a disorder where only treatable symptoms such as pain since it has no cure. I read in Findrxonline about hydrocodone and I register your page to test it. So I buy online no doubt was very effective.

January 7, 2011 - 8:47am
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