A study was conducted to see what an effect Cymbalta (Duloxetine) and other antidepressants had on the treatment of Fibromyalgia. Duloxetine is a newer selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) on the market.
The study was designed as follows:
Two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, 12-week trials of duloxetine in the treatment of Fibromyalgia were reviewed. Other published, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials, and meta-analyses of antidepressant treatment of Fibromyalgia were identified by a PubMed search that was augmented by reference cross-check.
The results showed that Cymbalta was an effective and safe treatment for many of the symptoms that are associated with Fibromyalgia particularly in women. Other SNRIs were also found to be effective.
This study showed that antidepressants play an important role in the treatment of patients with Fibromyalgia. Those with dual effects on serotonin and norepinephrine appear to have more consistent benefits than selective serotonin antidepressants for the treatment of persistent pain associated with Fibromyalgia.
I am a member of a support group for CMT (a form of Muscular Dystrophy) and quite a few in our ranks also have Fibromyalgia. I will gladly pass on to them the link to your blog. We also get posts with information regarding Fibromyalgia from time to time. For instance, someone just posted a link to a study published in the journal Rheumatology, that suggests that the unexplained pain experienced by patients
with fibromyalgia is the result of a mismatch between sensory and motor systems. It can be found here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071030220054.htm.
I’d be glad to pass such information along when I see it if you’d like.