Dr. Donald Liebell
Fibromyalgia Treatment Solutions 477 Viking Drive Suite 170Virginia Beach, VA 23452
(757) 631-9799
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Fibromyalgia & Pharmaceuticals
Is the Ongoing Use of Medications for Fibromyalgia a Safe And Reasonable Treatment Approach?Fibromyalgia Treatment:
Are Drugs Okay?
By Dr. Donald Liebell
Medically prescribed drugs save and extend lives. There's no disputing that. When I criticize the use of drugs in health care, I am ONLY talking about their narrow-minded use in the treatment of chronic pain and illness. I am critical of their use as a replacement for natural, corrective, rehabilitative, and preventative health measures, which are successful worldwide.
It is my conviction that the biggest problem with American health care is the fact that we predominantly use an acute treatment model for chronic problems... and it doesn't work. Americans take a ton of daily medicine, and spend a ton of money... but don't have better health to show for it.
Treating a condition, just by taking drugs, is not only weak at best, but possibly dangerous. I’m constantly amazed how few people take drug side effects seriously... YOU should!!
Get serious!
When was the last time a doctor offered you a non-drug solution (and don’t get me started about exercises for fibromyalgia)?
Give me a break...
Are we still living in the “stone age,” or what?
Are you being told that eating pain pills, antidepressants and sleeping tablets every day is okay?
Hey, if your smoke alarm went off, would you just pull the battery out, or would you put out the fire? Isn’t that REALLY what drugs do?
Sure, the drugs may ease the pain or help you sleep, but the “fire continues to burn.” When the drugs wear off, you’re left with the same body... that’s riddled with pain, and not a step closer to really being healthier.
You’re being tricked into thinking everything’s okay.
The problem is still there, you just can't feel the warning signals! It's just like sweeping dirt under a rug. The dirty little secret is that you CAN’T TELL IF YOU’RE HURTING YOURSELF MORE!
Can you see that? Think it’s safe to take medicine all the time?
The Shocking Truth About Drugs & Fibromyalgia
Do you think drug companies want to create something that actually eliminates the CAUSE of your pain?
Get real! There’s NO MONEY in “cures.” The money lies in keeping problems ALIVE - maintaining them, not eradicating them! Not a pretty story, is it?
Side Effects... Side Effects... Side Effects
Since 1993, I've seen patients who had all kinds of different prescription drugs paraded through them. The fibromyalgia patient drugs of yesteryear like Elavil, Sinequan and Pamelor, can cause constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, increased appetite, weight gain. Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil have been know to cause: psychotic behavior, dry mouth, headaches, diarrhea, pain, constipation, fatigue, arthritis, visual changes, insomnia, heart problems, confusion, and decreased sex drive.
WOW!!
And don't get me started on the FDA approved "fibromyalgia" drugs, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella!
What about anti-inflammatory drugs like Anaprox, Aleive, Motrin, Naprosyn, Advil, and Ibuprofen? Did you know they can cause stomach ulcers, bleeding, and kidney problems? Hey, here’s another dirty little secret about these chemicals: Your normal sulfur levels can decrease, causing... Increased Trigger Points – the Painful Knots in Your Muscles!!
Are you kidding me? How could this be true? Sounds like they cause what they’re supposed to TREAT, doesn’t it?
According to a study from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, an average dose of Acetaminophen (most commonly known as Tylenol®) can double the risk of kidney failure. And, one Ibuprofen (the active ingredient in Motrin® and Advil®) taken every four days increases the risk of kidney disease 8.8 times! Researchers in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that it causes an estimated 10% of the 50,000 cases of kidney failure that occur in the U.S. each year. Preventing those cases could save the country $700 million a year in health expenses, according to government figures.
Hey, let’s not forget about Prednisone. Steroids can cause weight gain, mood swings, weakness in the muscles of the arms and legs, blurred vision, hair growth, easy bruising of the skin, slow healing of cuts and wounds, etc.
Is it Just Me... or don’t these side effects themselves sound like Fibromyalgia?
Did you know that more Americans have DIED from the side effects of FDA approved drugs than from all of the wars this country has been in, in its entire history?
Don’t get me wrong... I know drugs can save lives and get you through tough times, and we’re glad they’re around when you need them.
Don’t you think it’s weird that most doctors are happy to keep doing the same drug treatments over and over… despite the fact that they say they don’t know what causes fibromyalgia in the first place? Knowing the way drug makers operate, does that really surprise you?
If you honestly want to get well... which means feeling good and being healthy WITHOUT being on prescription painkillers, antidepressants, anti-seizure medication, etc... then drugs cannot be your sole approach.
I was born in 1966. I was raised by parents who knew back then that drugs were for emergencies, or to get you through a health crisis, while natural healing took place. I am not against pharmaceutical medicine; it plays an important role. I've taken a few medications in my life. I'm no hypocrite. But I understand the difference between health and healing, and maintenance and management of illness.
If you think drugs are okay as your sole approach to treatment, you're entitled to your opinion. It's your body... your life. I don't EVER advise my patients to stop (or even reduce) medications that have been prescribed by another doctor. It is not appropriate, or within my scope of practice to do so. My treatments are compatible with medication, and since they have no side effects or drug interactions, my conscience is always clear.
Is it always my goal to help my patients to no longer NEED medications?
Absolutely!
If you're seeking an opportunity to get well from fibromyalgia through drug-free treatments, you should always ask your prescribing physician for advice regarding your medications. Don't ask ME... I'll just tell you to ask him or her.
You should know that there's no need to feel torn between conventional drug-based medicine, and natural health care (sadly termed "complementary and alternative medicine).
