Hi all, I suffer from anxiety as most of us do with fibromyalgia. My research shows that a new drug named Pregabalin will be available next year. It will take the place of Alprazolam, (Xanax) for anxiety. It will also be better than most anti-depressants. It should take the place of both types of pills. The company that has developed it is Pfizer. It will reduce anxiety, muscle tension, GAD (general anxiety disorder) and reduce neuopathic pain. It will work in one week for depression, pain, and anxiety. I am going to try this as Xanax can be addicting and Pregabalin won't be. Plus, I can get rid of two prescriptions! It has been tested on 8,000 patients world wide and over 1,000 in the US. You can look up more information on Immune Support. Two side affects noted were dizzyness and tiredness but it ceased after being on it for a week or so, and noone discontinued taking it due to those reasons. If one pill can take the place of two, I am willing to try it. The drug will be submitted to the FDA this year and hopefully be available for prescription in 2004. I am excited to hear that it reduces pain, induces better sleep quality, lessens concentration problems, and reduces restlessness that becomes worse with stress, and most of all stops anxiety! I just thought I would let you know about this drug.

I think Pregabalin is better than Neurontin, also called Gabapentin.

At the present time I am on Naltrexone 3.5 mg for an increased immune system boost and an endorphin stimulator which has given me much relief and I don't need Ultram, Ultracet or Neurontin, and have reduced my pain meds by 75%. I don't need to rely on Narcotics. I have had fibromyalgia for 20 years, with numerous back and neck problems. I have tried many many drugs looking for relief of pain and muscle spasms. I am hoping to get by with only two drugs instead of 6 or 8 or 10 different ones as I have in the past. The anxiety became worse in the past two years, so I am hoping this will stop it as it claims it will. If anyone has participated in the trial of this drug, please let us know how it worked for you! MistyMisty


[This message has been edited by MistyMisty (edited 10-17-2003).]

Thank you for the information sites.
I tried Celexa too and many anti-depressants from each of the five categories in my history of fibromyalgia! Celexa made me extremely hyper and my eyes looked glazed and glassy, like I was on speed, lol. I didn't get passed the first week on it as I couldn't sleep. My sister-in law does well on it but had to up her dose after a year on it. We are all so different in how we react to drugs. Some of the other ones has caused pain in my head at the temples and extreme forgetfullness, and my head felt like a balloon full of water. Allergies can cause the swollen head feeling too. The combination was intolerable. So, I am hoping Pregabalin will help without difficult side effects like I have experienced in the past. The next time I see my doctor I will ask him if we can get it for a trial. I am going to the sites now, and thanks again for information. MistyMisty

Oh, Geez, thank you Misty, Misty, for the info. I'm the one that couldn't transition to LDN a while back. But, this sounds hopeful. I will talk to my dr at the next visit which isn't for a month and see if we can find a trial. How do we do that? Could you suggest? You re always trying to help us, I appreciate it so. Soleil Haven't been on here much, glad I checked in tonite.

I am reading a printout I found on ImmuneSupport, treatment and research. It was dated 02/10/2003 so the information is recent. The title is: Pregabalin Improves Pain and Fatigue in Patients With Fibromyalgia.

The first sentence.."Pregabalin appears to be effective and safe in treating patients with fibromyalgia, according to new clinical trial findings."

It goes on to say: "It may also appear to improve sleep quality, fatigue, and increase quality of life, research suggests."

This was reported at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 66th Annual Scientific Meeting.

This report comes from Leslie Crofford, MD and Ann Arbor who presented this at the ARC meeting. The drug binds to calcium channels, modulating calcium influx, which results in analgesic, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant activity. (They are still not 100% sure of how or why it works!)

Recommended doses is 150 mg three times a day for reducing pain and associated symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia, (and neuropathic pain.)

It seems that 529 patients were treated with Pregabalin who have fibromyalgia. The other study was done for anxiety. Each study shows good improvement in each area. (Seems fibro and anxiety and depression are all connected symptoms.)

Pregabalin is another treatment option other than SSRI's (Seritonin Reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants.) (I cannot take either one without bad side effects.)

Of the 529 patients who tried Pregabalin, 9% quit taking it due to adverse effects. 8% quit because it didn't work well for them. The most common side effects was dizzyness and somnolence. The former study for anxiety stated that no one quit taking it because of these reasons.

According to Dr. Crofford, within the next year, an application will be filed for approval for neuropathic pain and for treatment of anxiety in the U.S. and Europe. By the way, it costs about 5 million dollars to put a new drug on the market!!

I don't know if it is possible to get a prescription at this time or not, but it seems that "samples" may be placed at our doctor's offices soon. I know I have had samples of new pills in the past.

I want one drug that will do the job of two pills because I hate taking and paying for more drugs than is absolutely necessary!! MistyMisty

I think it is possible for our MD's to take an active part in a clinical trial for their patients. One can only ask for it and "samples" if they are available. I tried a new blood pressure pill last year that way.
MistyMisty

I wrote everything down and thanks for putting it on here. I usually weed and pick thru ideas as i have tried a lot and have so many side effects as do so many of us. Thanks for your time and I will be asking my dr. about checking with those pharmeceutical reps that come around and request the Pregabalin when it is available for sample distribution. Thanks Soleil

Just bringing post to the top.