Hi Everyone,

I am jumping over here from the CRPS forum with some good news regarding treatment options for you. Here is a very recent article regarding tDCS and Fibromyalgia. I have been using tDCS for CRPS with wonderful results. Hope this helps someone here. Please feel free to review the tDCS thread on the CRPS forum for additional information.


Pain Pract. 2012 May 28. doi: 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2012.00562.x. [Epub ahead of print]
Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Treating Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Marlow NM, Bonilha HS, Short EB.
Source

Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, MUSC, Charleston, South Carolina Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, MUSC, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A.

Abstract

Objective:  To systematically review the literature to date applying repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Method:  Electronic bibliography databases screened included PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. The keyword "fibromyalgia" was combined with ("transcranial" and "stimulation") or "TMS" or "tDCS" or "transcranial magnetic stimulation" or "transcranial direct current stimulation". Results:  Nine of 23 studies were included; brain stimulation sites comprised either the primary motor cortex (M1) or the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Five studies used rTMS (high-frequency-M1: 2, low-frequency-DLPFC: 2, high-frequency-DLPFC: 1), while 4 applied tDCS (anodal-M1: 1, anodal-M1/DLPFC: 3). Eight were double-blinded, randomized controlled trials. Most (80%) rTMS studies that measured pain reported significant decreases, while all (100%) tDCS studies with pain measures reported significant decreases. Greater longevity of significant pain reductions was observed for excitatory M1 rTMS/tDCS. Conclusion:  Studies involving excitatory rTMS/tDCS at M1 showed analogous pain reductions as well as considerably fewer side effects compared to FDA approved FMS pharmaceuticals. The most commonly reported side effects were mild, including transient headaches and scalp discomforts at the stimulation site. Yearly use of rTMS/tDCS regimens appears costly ($11,740 to 14,507/year); however, analyses to appropriately weigh these costs against clinical and quality of life benefits for patients with FMS are lacking. Consequently, rTMS/tDCS should be considered when treating patients with FMS, particularly those who are unable to find adequate symptom relief with other therapies. Further work into optimal stimulation parameters and standardized outcome measures is needed to clarify associated efficacy and effectiveness.


Better day are ahead for all of us!

Since ballerinas posting did not get much interest, at least reply wise, I wanted to chip in.

My chronic pain condition is probably best diagnosed as fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome with autonomic dysfunction...... Etc, etc.

I have been doing ten-day to two weeks trials TDCS for almost 3 months now.

The downside is that I have had no discernible symptomatic relief.

But I keep trying this because if you buy into the concept of central sensitization, then I cannot see why TDCS might not help.

The cost is low. You can buy a device and the accoutrements for $300 or so.

If you want to try it on your on, I'm willing to supply you with all sorts of research papers on the subject and there is a good website that updates on a home very constant basis in a new TDCS research information.

There is a great video out there that can help you with all the mechanics as to where to place the electrodes, et cetera.

For my own selfish reasons, I'd love to see some other people with myofascial pain syndrome or fibromyalgia give this a try.

There also is a very sympathetic and experienced pain doctor out there that you can fly to get advice and suggestions from. Numerous of us have.

If you follow ballerina over to the CRPS forum, there is a long thread there that can fill you in with all the information that I just mentioned if you read the long thread – and you should.

On the upside, I had some trigger points and muscular pain problems that were just unbelievably painful and lasted for a couple weeks and I could not find any way to reduce the pain levels from these things, and on the advice of the fine TDCS Dr., I tried putting the electrode over the belly of the trigger point, and I have had some success. Centering the electrode and keeping in place has been the issue , but I am still experimenting.