Drug Approved. Is Disease Real?

[douglas9]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/health/14pain.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=print&adxnnlx=1200312122-hCKF4BMCPHPGAtbY6H4vqQ

[Horse with no Name]

1. Yes. Just ask someone who suffers from it. n/t

[Ian David]

5. What if it's not a disease, but is instead a symptom?

What if there is not really a disease that could be called fibromyalgia, but if instead there are two or three different diseases that all cause a symptom called fibromyalgia?

Same goes for restless leg syndrome. Sure, it's real-- but is it a disease or a symptom?

Just because people have something real, does not make it a disease.

For example, blindness is not a disease. Blindness is a symptom caused by various kinds of diseases and injuries. Nobody is accusing blind people of faking their blindness, but it would be a disservice to the blind if scientists were to try and research treatments based on the premise that all blindness is caused by a single disease.

[gollygee]

7. Regardless of whether it's a disease or a symptom though

if people are suffering from it they need something to help with the pain. It appears the medicine does make people feel less pain so it's effective.

But yes they should keep researching to find out just what is causing it. Until they find out, though, they need to help people suffering now.

[Ian David]

8. Agreed.

But I think it's caused by exposure to Republicans.

[blondeatlast]

12. Lyrica was developed to relieve diabetic neuropathy (I take it for that).

Therein lies the rub--because it effectively treats the secondary complication of one condition and the major symptom of another, where should the research money go?

The pharmas will put their research money into the one that makes the most money (fibromyalgia) which is fine (my SIL was nearly crippled by it and has a life now). Maybe the rest of us can benefit, but it's a bit unfair thanks to drug advertising.

:shrug:

[TZ]

2. Yes,

My sister suffers from this. And I have found those that don't believe that people (mostly women) have it are the "she's only a hysterical woman what does she know" kind of types.
On edit: my family has had unfortunate experience with overly paternalistic/sexist doctors in this regard.

[annabanana]

3. There isn't an HMO in America that will add this to their formulary.

And it's because of articles like this that cast doubts on the need for this medicine. So, if it works, and works well, it's only good news for the few people who can afford to pay retail.

Pardon me if I don't cheer.

[Midlodemocrat]

4. I bet the Pfizer Managed Care division will have that drug covered

in less than 90 days by every insurer in the country.

[xchrom]

6. among those doctors who said it wasn't a disease -- they sure did a piss poor job

of saying what it was.

they obviously agree that it exists -- but they don't know what it is -- it's stress, economic anxiety -- it's this -- it's that --

fucking god awful way for medical professionals to talk.

imagine being their patient.

[blondeatlast]

9. Lyrica is a wonder (I take it for diabetic neuropathy). Acetomeniphen doesn't "cure" a headache,

but relieves the suffering.

Scoff if you want, but my SIL with fibro was suffering terribly and now has a life thanks to being involved in a study of Lyrica.

[tkmorris]

10. Treating a symptom maked SHITLOADS more money......

Than a cure does. Just something to think about.

[Eurobabe]

11. Fibro is a disease, if you've got it, have your thyroid tested

Many specialists think that low free T3 levels actually exacerbate fibro symptoms. http://www.drlowe.com/

BUT, big pharma is loathe to give up its grip on concocting expensive meds to foist on the unwitting public. Why put someone on thyroid hormone to treat this when a one-month's supply costs only $20?

:shrug:

[tavalon]

13. Oh my god, yes, it's real

[NMMNG]

14. To about 5.8 million Americans it's very real n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. Journalism. Is The NYT still relevant?