| Fibromyalgia symptoms may be caused by treatable virus |
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| Written by Matthew Hogg | |||||
| Thursday, 13 September 2012 12:16 | |||||
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Dr. Carol Duffy, a University of Alabama assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, will assist Dr. Pridgen by analyzing lab results for specific immune system markers in the hope this will lead to a diagnostic tool for physicians.
Pridgen has been developing his theory over the past decade. He initially noticed many of his patients with gastrointestinal issues had recurring symptoms that appeared to get worse when they were under greater stress. After some priliminary investigation, he concluded these problems may be caused by the herpes simplex virus, the very same virus that causes cold sores, and prescribed an anti-viral drug. At the same time, some of those patients also complained of other symptoms, for which he prescribed another anti-viral medication. When the patients returned, not only were their GI symptoms better, but co-morbid conditions including depression, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia were also improving with the drug combination.
In the upcoming study Duffy will look at the blood work of an estimated 140 fibromyalgia patients to ascertain levels of specific immune signaling chemicals known as 'cytokines', before and after anti-viral treatment. It has been noted by other researchers that fibromyalgia patients typically have elevated levels of one type of cytokine and reduced amounts of another.
Pridgen and Duffy expect that their work will show that as the anti-viral drug therapy takes effect the patients will show a self-reported reduction in symptoms and a corresponding normalization of cytokine levels - essentially showing the immune system has regained balance and chronic inflammatory processes have stopped.
If results from the Phase II trial are positive, the next step would be Phase III trials, which involve thousands of patients.
"Some of these patients' stories are just heartbreaking. They are in a lot of pain, they can't work anymore, are on disability," Duffy told The Tuscaloosa News. "There's a real need for this, and I really hope this is the answer. It will give a lot of people a much better quality of life."
Pridgen added that he hopes it will be possible: "... to pursue this treatment for other chronic pain conditions, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches and more. If this proves what we think it will, it is going to change the way people think about chronic pain and chronic conditions. It will have a huge impact on a lot of people."
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Hits: 4611 Comments (21)
  written by LAUREN BURNS, September 15, 2012
I WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF THE TEST PATIENTS! I ALSO SUFFER WITH RA BUT BELIEVE MOST OF MY PAIN DEVELOPED WHEN DIAG WITH FIBRO; WE NEED A CURE, IT IS TERRIBLE LIVING THIS WAY!
written by Joyce Fletcher, September 15, 2012
How do you become a test patient. I live in Ky. Thanks
written by Valerie Mullinax, September 15, 2012
Would like to become a test patient. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction as well as Chronic Lyme Disease. My TGF-Beta 1 is now over 23,000.
 written by Kathleen Magyar-Lutte, September 15, 2012
Would like to be part of the clinical trials. Have been diagnosed since 1995. Always have thought that there was a viral component to fibromyalgia. A cure can't come fast enough.
written by Jenna Joyce, September 16, 2012
I would love to become a trial patient but am in Australia. I will be following the progress avidly as I am a 26 year old mum of one with fibromyalgia and it's hard. Good luck with the trials!
written by Jenna Joyce, September 16, 2012
I would love to participate in the testing however I'm in Australia. I will be waiting eagerly for results though! I am a 26 year old mum of one and have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Good luck to those being tested.
written by maurieen bragg, September 16, 2012
I too would like to be a test patient. I have no fibromyalgia, but have been given the blanket diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. I believe myself to be gluten intolerant, but have no clinical diagnosis as my blood tests are negative for celiac disease. So, could this also be a virus??
written by Beth Bowles, September 16, 2012
I live in PA, near Pittsburgh. Diagnosed with fibro circa 1995. Would love to be in the next trial!
written by Peggy Hook Oller, September 16, 2012
I too would like to be part of this trial. I know in my heart that you are on the right track with this theory. I live in Phoenix, AZ and have had Fibro since 1993.
written by Dana Darr, September 16, 2012
Oh my - I started crying as I read this article! If there is any way for someone to become part of the trial base, please post that information.
written by Norma Woodruff, September 17, 2012
I would love to participate in this. I also have epilepsy and cannot take any of the drugs for fibromyalgia because of the seizure side effects. Would I also be exempt from this? I would like to speak to somebody about this. I have seen my family doctor, my neurologist and a rheumatologist for this problem.
 written by Matthew Hogg, September 17, 2012
Hello everyone. I'm overwhelmed by the response this article has received! I do not have the full details but suspect Dr. Pridgen may have all the participants he needs for this study already, since it is already set to go ahead. However, after a quick internet search I found his office's phone number if anyone would like to contact him. Please let everyone else know by posting again here if you find out more details, thanks. The number is (205) 366-0696
written by Lisa Flannery, September 18, 2012
I too have been a sufferer of Fibromyalgia since 1996. I was diagnosed 4 months after getting married and suffer from IBS, depression, sleep issues and digestive issues, not to mention the horrendous pain. Medications only seemed to make the issues worse so I am on no meds. I'm sure they have all their test subjects and hope and pray the results are a positive step to helping all those who suffer from this disease. Good luck everyone.
written by dollybuttons, September 18, 2012
would love to take part in the trials am living with this since 1997 and would love to if a cure was found between ibs,digestive problems depression terrible pain which i know am not alone from my head to my fingers arms too heavy to lift to bones on your feet to sore to walk on help is needed so much and the sooner the better
written by stacey ann horrocks, September 19, 2012
I had my hopes up, but beings I was tested for herpes because of what I believe now was a shingle (different for of chicken pox) and the herpes test was negative at that time - I wish they had run furthur tests back then. Anyway - I do believe there is a viral component - especially because me (42yrs old) and my 12yr old son have been suffering for about 4 yrs, after coming down with a virus, like no other I have even heard of anyone experiencing. We have went down hill ever since. He also presents with PANDAS symptoms - 100%, and now that is far more chronic - with complete flare up of FM 12yrs old & 42yrs old - seriously???? I need to connect some dots, for him.
written by jennn82616, September 22, 2012
There is a doctoe in florida who had the same theory many years ago, i tried his plan, so did some other people I know, it didnt work
written by larenda paul, September 22, 2012
I am tired, tired, and more tired, i hope trials work, i do believe it is some sort of viral infection. Therr are so many of us who suffer and need relief, nothing seems too help our pain needs to be validated so we are not invisible,or doubted. I would be glad to participate, i have tried just about everything heard of with no relief. I do believe there is a link between the herpes simplex virus need a cure also e,we want our old lives back. Can't wait to hear more about this and also stress worsens a flare up.
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 13 September 2012 13:24 |
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