Why are ssris prescribed in fibromyalgia?

Because they work: Fibromyalgia is a disorder of unknown cause and therefor no known cure. Symptomatic treatment may be effective in reducing pain but correcting the underlying problem. One chemical system involved in pain control is norepinephrine (ne). Snris have action on this drug helping reduce pain. Ssris dont not augment ne but may help depression which occurs commonly in fibromyalgia. Depression causes pain.

Reducing stress : Ssris may be valuable in some patients with fibromyalgia in reducing anxiety and depression which can flare the fm. Cymbalta (duloxetine) is the only ssri approved for fibromyalgia. The norepinephrine activity in this med may help the reduce the excitability of nerve endings and thereby help to a significantly greater degree than other ssris.

Desperation!: Pharmaceutical treatment #fibromyalgia is super-hot therapeutic financial arena. Medications proven to treat fm symptoms are sought-after molecules. Tramadol ; guaifenenisine off-label uses ; three medications already approved are amongst therapies with proven benefit. Natural ; non-toxic alternative therapies should be reviewed. Several notables (lewis, ingebretson, st. Amada, ; lumley) reported.