New study suggests fibromyalgia pain starts in the spinal cord

The most effective treatments for fibromyalgia are usually a class of medications called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are examples of SNRIs. Unfortunately, some people don’t respond to SNRIs. I metabolize them too quickly for them to do much in my system, as shown in a pharmacogenomic test.

The findings described in this article may finally lead to more effective treatments!

It’s also important to note that these findings show why fibromyalgia patients are more sensitive to everything – touch, smell, sight, sound, taste, you name it.

From Fibromyalgia Pain Might Start in the Spinal Cord, Study Suggests:

A study published in Pain Reports adds a new piece to the puzzle, showing spinal disinhibition — disruption of the spinal cord’s inhibitory systems that modulate pain signals — in people with fibromyalgia syndrome. The results suggest that spinal disinhibition could be a mechanism for generating pain in fibromyalgia.

These findings fit into much of the current thinking on chronic pain in people with fibromyalgia, says Roland Staud, MD, professor of medicine in the Department of Rheumatology at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, who was not involved with this study.

“Regulation of sensitivity, including spinal cord sensitivity, is abnormal in these individuals,” he said.

Recent evidence points to fibromyalgia as a pain dysregulation disorder, although the causes of altered pain processing in the brain and spinal cord remain elusive.

Cyn is Rick's wife, Katie's Mom, and Esther & Oliver's Mémé. She's also a professional geek, avid reader, fledgling coder, enthusiastic gamer (TTRPGs), occasional singer, and devoted stitcher.
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