A new study suggests that amino acids levels are low in patients with FMS/CFS.

This month’s issue of “Clinical Biochemistry” has an article entitled
“Altered amino acid homeostasis in subjects affected by fibromyalgia.”
The authors found that several essential amino acids are low in persons affected by these disorders.

To quote: “Significant lower plasma taurine, alanine, tyrosine (Tyr), valine, methionine, phenylalanine and threonine concentrations, and the sum of essential AAs were observed in FM patients vs healthy controls.”

The authors hypothesized that poor absorption of amino acids from the intestines is the cause. Given the known correlation with irritable bowel syndrome there may be a common thread. Since neurotransmitter levels are deranged in the CNS and in the intestines in FMS/CFS perhaps this causes
the poor absorption of essential amino acids.

Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins. Low levels of amino acids could lead to countless derangements many functions of the human body.

The full significance of these findings needs further study.

As we have seen research continues to uncover distinct abnormalities in
FMS/CFS. At least in terms of research we have come a long way from the “it’s all in your head” days.

Yours, Dr. Don

I know that many of you have tried neurontin-some with success and some with side effects. As this information from Johns Hopkins suggests neurontin can be very helpful for pain, fatigue, and improving sleep. If you decide to ask your doctor about whether you might be a candidate for Neurontin, or perhaps to give Neurontin another try try to start on the absolute lowest dose possible (true for all meds in we FMS/CFS sufferers)…..yours, Dr. Don

New Option for Fibromyalgia Treatment

If you have fibromyalgia, you know that getting plenty of sleep and regular exercise are extremely important. While treatment options for the pain and fatigue of fibromalgia are limited, two new medications offer hope.

The treatment of fibromyalgia involves managing the symptoms. Drugs typically used include antidepressants, pain relievers, sleep medications, muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety agents, antiseizure medications, and medications used to control headaches.

Last spring, the FDA approved pregabalin (Lyrica) for the treatment of fibromyalgia. In clinical trials, Lyrica reduced pain of fibromyalgia better than placebo. This medication is also approved to treat neuropathic pain (pain from damaged nerves) in people with diabetes and pain in people who have had shingles (postherpetic neuralgia). It is also used to treat certain types of seizures.

Recently, results from a 12-week study reported in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism (Volume 56, page 1336) suggest that the epilepsy drug gabapentin (Neurontin) could offer some relief. The researchers randomly assigned 150 individuals with fibromyalgia to take gabapentin (1,200-2,400 mg) for 12 weeks or placebo (inactive) pills. They found that compared with placebo, gabapentin significantly reduced pain and fatigue and improved the quality of sleep, as measured by several standardized tests. In fact, more than 50% of the gabapentin group reduced their pain severity score by at least 30% compared with only 31% of those taking placebo.

Currently, the FDA has not approved gabapentin for the treatment of fibromyalgia. However since Lyrica has a similar mechanism of action, you could ask your doctor about trying it for your fibromaylagia pain and fatigue.