60 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
No magic cure and Mirapex is not the answer for every fibromyalgia patient., June 28, 2007
This review is from: The Fibromyalgia Solution: A Breakthrough Approach to Heal Your Body and Take Back Your Life (Paperback)
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FMS) in 2000 by Dr. Dryland. It was a long process just to get diagnosed, so I was optimistic when Dr. Dryland offered Mirapex as a treatment option.
Mirapex is a drug used for Parkinson's patients. Its side effects (at least for me...) were very tough to take. Severe nausea and slight dizziness were from the start, and at higher doses (you slowly work up to a specified dose) I began exibiting Parkinson's-like symptoms. My flat affect, hand tremors and stumbling gate had not occured until I took this medication.
After two years on this medication and giving it my all, I asked to be taken off Mirapex. I asked Dr. Dryland if there were any more holisitc approaches that could be taken to get me beyond the battle with FMS symptoms and he told me had nothing else to offer me. I did not return to Dr. Dryland and began seeking other options.
Dr. Dryland is a bright man, a researcher and now an author with a thriving practice. I believe his book has some good basic FMS info and talks about getting good sleep, exercising, reducing stress and eating well (all things we should all do whether we have FMS or not). But know that before you buy this book, there are many books (some of which you may already own) which give you the same information on FMS. Mirapex is the drug he believes in, and that is 'breatktrhough' mentioned in the title.
While my own journey with fibromyalgia has had its ups and downs and Mirapex part of the trip, I am encouraged by a new drug; NOT MIRAPEX, that is currently in the final stages of a clinical trial. It's called Milcinipran.
I was a study participant for Milcinipran (an anti-depressant and not mentioned in Dr. Dryland's book...) which made me feel like my old self again! Having never taken an anti-depressant, I was sceptical about the study and taking this drug, but after a year, I was virtually pain free and full of energy while taking Milcinipran. After I went off the year-long study, my symptoms returned.
While I manage my symptoms and flares on a day-to-day basis, I am learning more about what triggers flares and how to ride them out. Knowing that there are drugs that will indeed help me instead of numbing me out, is of great comfort to me at this stage of the game.
Whether you buy the book or not: remember to keep holding out hope for better. Eat right. Exercise. Take care of yourself and only take vitamins, supplements and drugs that help you.
Milcinipran may go to the FDA as soon as next month and will offer a lot of relief to fibro patients without the side effects of Mirapex. And no... I don't work for the company that makes it.
08/10/08: Milcinipran (if approved) may be available as soon as October of this year. Worth the wait! I'm currently taking Lyrica and while at a low dose it does dull the pain, the FMS seems to overpower it after about 7 days at a low dose which means you need a higher dose. I'm reluctant to up the doseage (although OK'd by my current doc) because of the dizzying side effects. If you end up on Lyrica, be sure to take it at bedtime and don't drive until you are sure you're OK to do so.
UPDATE: 01/16/09
Milcinipran was approved by the FDA yesterday and should be available from your doctor in March, under the drug name SAVELLA.
I'm currently clearing my system of Lyrica (you have to be off all anti-depressant type drugs to go on the new one) and looking forward to possibly feeling frisky with significantly less pain and stiffness by summer! I really, really urge you to ask your doc about this one as it worked so well for me in the drug trial I've bought stock in the company (CYPB).
Good luck to all who suffer through this incideous zapper of all that's good. Keep fighting back and don't give in...you deserve your life back!
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Get it for the Dopamine info, August 5, 2007
This review is from: The Fibromyalgia Solution: A Breakthrough Approach to Heal Your Body and Take Back Your Life (Paperback)
I've had FMS full-blown since 1999 and am disabled from it. I've read a lot of books and have knowledge of this condition and the neurological processes that rivals most doctors I've encountered. The dopamine connection is a very powerful one, and definitely something that FMS people should investigate. I've said for years that FMS is more a neurological-based condition. I'm glad that research is finally coming out about it and Dr. Dryland is ahead of the pack with his book. I will say that some of the info is your standard how-to-help-your-FMS fare, that any experienced and knowledgeable FMS person will already know and can skim through. So, I recommend it for the dopamine/ANS (autonomic nervous system) info and research. That may be the key to solving our illness. At least we're getting closer. Thank you Dr. Dryland for bringing this to light.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Restoring Dopamine has Restored My Life, July 22, 2007
This review is from: The Fibromyalgia Solution: A Breakthrough Approach to Heal Your Body and Take Back Your Life (Paperback)
The key point to Dr. Dryland's work with Fibromyalgia is that dopamine is depleted. This is due to a chronic, abnormally functioning stress response. In Dr. Dryland's personal case he was able to restore his dopamine level without medication and his symptoms of Fibromyalgia subsided. Patients can use his skillful method to alter their stress response with or without medication. From the very beginning Dr. Dryland has pointed out that Mirapex and Requip are used to accelerate the process and are the best medicines that he can offer at this time. He points out that new and better medication that raise dopamine may become available in the future.
I have dealt with some side affects from Mirapex for almost three years. Yet for me the choice is crystal clear. Without Mirapex, the constant stinging pain down my arms and spine from stress hormones every minute of the day makes a miserable existence. Every little stress becomes a Tsunami-like event. I rely on Mirapex, the stress reduction techniques found in this book and a self administered herb called Mucuna to stabilize my condition. Restoring dopamine means that I can have a more normal life. My senses tolerate a wider range of sensations. All pain - fibro and non-fibro - has substantially reduced. Best of all I am far calmer in the face of most daily stress. After a lifetime of an over-active stress response and more than 20 years of fibro -
Restoring Dopamine has Restored My Life.
J. Rae
Southern Oregon
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