Pubmed: Low-dose naltrexone may be an effective, highly tolerable, and inexpensive treatment for fibromyalgia

[portann]

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that low-dose naltrexone may be an effective, highly tolerable, and inexpensive treatment for fibromyalgia.


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

Pubmed
2009 May-Jun;10(4):663-72. Epub 2009 Apr 22.
School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Division of Pain Management, Stanford University


Fibromyalgia symptoms are reduced by low-dose naltrexone: a pilot study.
Younger J, Mackey S.

School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Division of Pain Management, Stanford University, 780 Welch Road, Suite 208, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1573, USA. jarred.***@****

OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal pain and sensitivity to mechanical stimulation. In this pilot clinical trial, we tested the effectiveness of low-dose naltrexone in treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia. DESIGN: Participants completed a single-blind, crossover trial with the following time line: baseline (2 weeks), placebo (2 weeks), drug (8 weeks), and washout (2 weeks). PATIENTS: Ten women meeting criteria for fibromyalgia and not taking an opioid medication. INTERVENTIONS: Naltrexone, in addition to antagonizing opioid receptors on neurons, also inhibits microglia activity in the central nervous system. At low doses (4.5 mg), naltrexone may inhibit the activity of microglia and reverse central and peripheral inflammation. OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants completed reports of symptom severity everyday, using a handheld computer. In addition, participants visited the lab every 2 weeks for tests of mechanical, heat, and cold pain sensitivity. RESULTS: Low-dose naltrexone reduced fibromyalgia symptoms in the entire cohort, with a greater than 30% reduction of symptoms over placebo. In addition, laboratory visits showed that mechanical and heat pain thresholds were improved by the drug. Side effects (including insomnia and vivid dreams) were rare, and described as minor and transient. Baseline erythrocyte sedimentation rate predicted over 80% of the variance in drug response. Individuals with higher sedimentation rates (indicating general inflammatory processes) had the greatest reduction of symptoms in response to low-dose naltrexone.

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that low-dose naltrexone may be an effective, highly tolerable, and inexpensive treatment for fibromyalgia.

[FlGuy]

I get that some people relate fibro to hcv, whether or not I see the connection is another thing. I think the post is appropriate here AND in fibro world.  I don't visit there, I get too tired. What I really would like to see is that which is not allowed; politics and religion.  (just kidding, almost).

[portann]

FlGuy, is it acceptable to you that this 2009 Stanford study from the Department of Medicine remain here or do you prefer that it be deleted from the social side as well?

I'm sure the fibro forum is already aware of it.

[Trish77]

A new fellow named Cliff was asking about the experiences of persons with HCV and fibromyalgia as his fiancee has HCV, will be starting treatment soon and has fibromyalgia.  MedicMommy responded that she had the same experience and how her SVR has impacted her fibromyalgia.  

I do think a post on fibromyalgia is relevant, just to a small group of people.  I've posted on thyroid issues here, because others on treatment have developed thyroid issues as I did.  

Sometimes the connection appears tenuous to those who don't have the issue but I do see it in this case. I've been having joint and muscle issues myself and was concerned it was fibromyalgia and the doc tells me it's arthritis instead - and has recommended supplements. :)  My medical doc btw...lol  :)

[portann]

Hi Emily,

I'm puzzled because some members, correctly or not, associate fibromyalgia with HCV. I'm not sure if they mean pre-tx or post-tx.

I thought those members would like to take a peek at this PubMed 2009 study done at Stanford University in the School of Medicine, Department of Pain Management.

You may want to identify the people who are pressing the miscategorized button and ask them why they think it should not appear here. I think it should, so maybe you could post their response, so I understand their opposition to it appearing here in the social forum.

Thank you.

[FlGuy]

Perhaps I should have elaborated in my post.  If the study suggests "low-dose naltrexone may be an effective, highly tolerable, and inexpensive treatment for fibromyalgia" that a good place to evalgelize the concept would be where people who could possiblly benefit would see it.  I am aware that anything goes in the Hep Social Forum, except politics and religion.  Although this forum is a grab-bag of potpourri the denizens of the Fibro Forum probably don't know to stop by this niche to find out what they are missing.

[Emily_MHManager]

This keeps getting reported as miscategorized.  Remember that people can post about anything except religion or politics in the hep social forum.

If there is another reason this is being reported, please PM me.

Emily

[franke566]

you are correct.  There does seem to be a connection to post Hep C tx and fibromyalgia however.

[FlGuy]

Better suited in the fibromyalgia forum.

[franke566]

someday ,"maybe", I hope. and soon!  

[copyman]

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that low-dose naltrexone may be an effective, highly tolerable, and inexpensive treatment for fibromyalgia

Ahhh those magic words "MAY BE" an effective.....

When is there going to be a conclusion that states it works!