FWD:Ivanhoe Newswire-Cough Remedy for Fibromyalgia

RSD In the News : FWD:Ivanhoe Newswire-Cough Remedy for Fibromyalgia
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From: byrd45 (Original Message) Sent: 8/31/2005 10:10 AM
Cough Remedy for Fibromyalgia

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Fibromyalgia patients may have a new over-the-counter remedy to relieve pain. A study from the University of Florida in Gainesville shows a cough medicine called dextromethorphan (also known as Robitussin Cough Calmers, Sucrets Cough Control or Suppress, among others) temporarily reduces the intensity of "wind-up," a snowballing pain response to minor repetitive physical contact.

Researchers worked with 14 women who had fibromyalgia and 10 women who did not have the disease using mechanical devices that tapped the participants' hands repeatedly. The intensity of the heat or pressure of the stimulation was adjusted so that all participants felt the same degree of pain. Then the women were given a variety of treatments. The women said 90 milligrams of dextromethorphan reduced their wind-up pain, while other treatments had no effect.

There is currently no single therapy for fibromyalgia patients with chronic pain. These patients often use a variety of treatments to decrease symptoms. Current fibromyalgia treatments include pain medication, exercise, stretching, sleep management, and psychological support.
Doctors stress that patients should not resort to self-medicating by taking cough syrups for pain because there are side effects. Memory and confusion problems can stem from high doses of dextromethorphan.

Further research is needed because this is a topic that has not received much attention, say the study authors. Experts say they would like to find ways to minimize side effects.

According to a paper published by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), fibromyalgia affects between 3 and 6 million Americans, most of them women