Study Finds Drinking May Ease Fibromyalgia Pain, But Doctors Wary
Study Finds Drinking May Ease Fibromyalgia Pain, But Doctors Wary
U.S. specialists say alcohol is the wrong approach
Manevitz, who subspecializes in pain disorders such as fibromyalgia, noted that the new study does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between increased alcohol use and lower disability from pain, only an association between the two.
He said it was "inexplicable" that the study also showed that very heavy drinkers -- those consuming more than 35 units of alcohol weekly -- experienced similar levels of disabling pain as never-drinkers.
Webster said the amount of alcohol needed to produce lower pain-related disability varies by individual.
"In someone who doesn't drink, even half a glass of wine will stimulate the limbic system, making them dizzy," he said. "That effect will trump, then, the pain from fibromyalgia. They're replacing that sensory input for pain."
Manevitz agreed with the study authors that the study should not be interpreted to mean that alcohol has a therapeutic benefit for pain. "It's a poor self-medication and it ultimately causes further deterioration in patients with pain," he said.
The Scottish researchers could not be reached for comment, but in the study they note that a significant number of participants were drinking more than the recommended limit.
Webster suggested that people experiencing fibromyalgia or other forms of chronic widespread pain "create some alternate stimulation" that produces feelings of well-being, such as exercise, mindfulness or even watching a movie.
"Something that makes you feel good and stimulates the limbic system in a safe way would be an alternate experience," he said.
Drinking May Ease Fibromyalgia Pain; Doctors Wary
U.S. specialists say alcohol is the wrong approach
Manevitz, who subspecializes in pain disorders such as fibromyalgia, noted that the new study does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between increased alcohol use and lower disability from pain, only an association between the two.
He said it was "inexplicable" that the study also showed that very heavy drinkers -- those consuming more than 35 units of alcohol weekly -- experienced similar levels of disabling pain as never-drinkers.
Webster said the amount of alcohol needed to produce lower pain-related disability varies by individual.
"In someone who doesn't drink, even half a glass of wine will stimulate the limbic system, making them dizzy," he said. "That effect will trump, then, the pain from fibromyalgia. They're replacing that sensory input for pain."
Manevitz agreed with the study authors that the study should not be interpreted to mean that alcohol has a therapeutic benefit for pain. "It's a poor self-medication and it ultimately causes further deterioration in patients with pain," he said.
The Scottish researchers could not be reached for comment, but in the study they note that a significant number of participants were drinking more than the recommended limit.
Webster suggested that people experiencing fibromyalgia or other forms of chronic widespread pain "create some alternate stimulation" that produces feelings of well-being, such as exercise, mindfulness or even watching a movie.
"Something that makes you feel good and stimulates the limbic system in a safe way would be an alternate experience," he said.