This new study on spinal fluid hope for a cure! I'm also about to start a new drug called Savella for Fibromyalgia pain.
A few weeks ago, Katie Couric did a segment on CFS on her show (wacth here). A study was done on spinal fluid of CFS patients in which they found protein abnormalities in the central nervous system. So What does this mean for CFS patients? This could eventually lead to be a diagnostic test which would allow researches to find the cause of this illness and be able to create drugs to help CFS and hopefully find a cure. More about the study here
I am going to start a new drug for Fibromyalgia pain called Savella. I was on Lyrica and it helped my neuropathy and fibromyalgia pain, but I gained 20 pounds over the last few months and the weight kept pounding on each week. I am just glad I was able to fit into my wedding dress! I am currently on Cymbalta for fibromyalgia pain, but I have not noticed a huge difference. I will be stopping Cymbalta since it is similar to Savella. If anyone has tried Savella I would love to know how it is working out.
Savella is not used to treat depression but how it works is similar to an antidepressant. Savella increases norepinephrine and serotonin activity in the brain. Savella has been shown to have more effect on norepinephrine activity. This is important for fibromyalgia patients because low brain norepinephrine levels are thought to be related to increased pain and cognitive difficulties (Many Fibro patients call this "brain fog").
So if you are like me you may be wondering what the heck is norephinepphrine? Released naturally in both the central nervous system and in the sympathetic nerves, norepinephrine acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and is responsible for regulating nerve impulses. When the body produces the correct amount of norepinephrine, a patient's blood pressure stabilizes. When the amount of this hormone is too low in a patient's system, he may experience depression, poor circulation and is at increased risk of a heart attack. Read more: What Is Norepinephrine? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4617154_norepinephrine_.html#ixzz1GgnAozEa
Cross my fingers that Savella can improve my pain levels. Happy Saint Patrick's day everyone.
3 comments:
Oh Desi! It's so sad you have to go through all this :( Few people are as strong as you are and you are a hero to me for the trials you endure. To find happiness in such a difficult situation takes strength and I so admire you for that. Don't forget how much you're loved by the people around you. Keep up the good spirits girl!
God Bless you for taking the time to write about your experiences. I have just come off Valcyte after being on it just shy of 6 months. I am pretty much cured however my doc has me on Amantadine and I definitely notice my energy and well being increasing (even after the Valcyte). I had to stop the Valcyte as I was starting to experience peripheral neuropathy. Having CFS is a life long battle I suspect. We just have to pray for the Lord to give us the strength not to quit. I will say a prayer for you.
Beav- I am so glad valcyte is helping you. My doctor said peripheral neuropathy is a rare side effect. It showed up in some of the AIDS patients who took valcyte. But you are the only other person who has taken valcyte for cfs I know of besides myself, that has gotten neuropathy. It's nice to now I'm not the only one who got peripheral neuropathy. Sometimes I've wonder if the leg and foot pain really was from the valcyte and maybe just a weird new symptom of fibromyalgia.
Has the neuropathy gotten better? I still have problems with it. I'm It can be so painful. Thanks for posting.
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