
The Recommendation of Amitriptyline
as a Fibromyalgia Treatment
Dr. John C. Lowe
Director of Research
In 1995, I wrote
an editorial in The Journal of Myofascial Therapy
criticizing Dr. I. John Russell, a high-profile rheumatology
fibromyalgia researcher, for falsely stating that amitriptyline
(Elavil) and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) were effective
fibromyalgia treatments. The editorial set off a reaction of
arrogance and child-like behavior by men and women whom one would expect
to behave better. Jackie Yellin, my long-time editor
and collaborator, and I promptly became personae non
gratae at rheumatology associated support and research
groups. As
most fibromyalgia patients can confirm, amitriptyline and
cyclobenzaprine have utterly failed as fibromyalgia treatments.
Both patient testimony and research confirm this.
Nonetheless, I sat in the audience at the 2006 conference of the
American Academy of Pain Management and heard a prominent pain
specialist state that amitriptyline is the first line treatment
for fibromyalgia. In my opinion, his statement was a disservice
to the pain management practitioners in the audience. Because
of the speaker's statement, I am here republishing my editorial
criticizing Dr. Russell's false statements about amitriptyline and
cyclobenzaprine being effective fibromyalgia treatments. My hope is that
making the editorial available to patients and doctors will help offset
harm to patients done by the poor
advice the speaker gave the audience. Webpage
format | pdf format
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