The discipline that we recognize as modern medicine goes back only about 120 years, at most. There remain many areas where there is little knowlege and understanding. Chronic pain, its cause and its treatment is one of these.
One form of chronic pain and other sympthoms is Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a sort of catch all term that is used for a variety of muscle and skeletal problems. This web page lists some web accessible reference on pain and fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia Information for Medical Professionals, Robert Bennett, MD et al.
This is a web site that was created by Dr. Robert Bennett, MD, who has done some research on fibromyalgia. Dr. Bennett's study on guaifenesin has suggested that this drug is not effective. What is disheartening is that, from a quick look at the web site, he does not seem to suggest other effective treatments.
Report On A Randomized, Prospective, 12 Month Study To Compare The Efficacy Of Guaifenesin Versus Placebo In The Management Of Fibromyalgia Robert M. Bennett, MD, et al
This is a study that suggests that Guaifenesin is not effective in treating fibromyalgia.
Dr. St. Amand's Response in Regards to the Fibromyalgia Network Newsletter Article About Guaifenesin
This is Dr. St. Amand's reponse to Dr. Bennett's study on guaifenesin. This is posted on a Geocities web site, which sometimes go away.
The Truths and Myths of the use of Guaifenesin for Fibromyalgia or Guaifenesin: One Medicine, Several Effects by Mark London
This is Mark London's long and somewhat numbing survey of the medical literature on Guaifenesin and its effect on Fibromyalgia. In this survey he discusses Guaifenesin's effects (or possible lack of effect) on Fibromayalgia. He also cites evidence that salacylates (of which aspirin in one) do not interfere with Guaifenesin's effect, as some have proposed. Mr. London also cites research that suggests that the phosphate theory for the cause of fibromyalgia may not be correct.
The Role of Magnesium in Fibromyalgia An investigatory paper by Mark London
This is another somewhat numbing survey of the medical literature by Mark London. He suggests that magnesium supplments may help people who suffer from fibromyalgia.
This is a non-profit (a 501C) associated with R. Paul St. Amand, MD. Dr. Amand pioneered the guaifenesin treatment for fibromyalgia. According to Mark London, above, guaifenesin may or may not be effective, but interference from salacylates may be without foundation.
Ian Kaplan, March 2006
Revised:
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