From Misunderstood to Managed: How putting a Spotlight on Immune Disease Causes is Shifting Fibromyalgia Care in London
Research on mice has indicated that antibodies from fibromyalgia patients induce them to develop fibromyalgia-like symptoms (such as sensitivity to pain, and reduced movement). This recent understanding implies that fibromyalgia could potentially be due to a patient’s autoimmune system; and that as a disease of the immune system, this finding is in opposition to the currently held view that it originates in the brain. – And so this has transformed the diagnostic methods of leading Fibro Doctors at the London Fibro Pain Clinic
So to that end, depending on the results of the patient’s comprehensive diagnosis, their Pain Specialist may now incorporate the latest therapies designed to target the immune system into the patient’s protocol. – The latter of which is a multifaceted Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan which includes conventional treatment, and the latest state-of-the art therapies and injectables (including pain blockers).
In a Nutshell
Here at the London Fibro Clinic, whilst we are mindful that more research is needed, we do nonetheless believe that a switch towards immunological understanding may provide hope for the management of patients’ symptoms along with more effective treatments
As our Fibro Consultants often explain: animal studies carried out in the UK and Sweden, indicate that antibodies in fibromyalgia sufferers could potentially be the cause of various fibro symptoms (these include muscle weakness and pain sensitivity). – This implies that the immune system could be a contributor or the trigger. To that end, this research raises the possibility that innovative treatments that work to modulate the immune system, could be used to lower a fibromyalgia patient’s antibody levels and thus provide much needed relief.
Low-Down on the Fibromyalgia Study
The aforementioned research (which was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation), was conducted by the Swedish Karolinska Institute, the University of Liverpool, and King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. In summarising, it demonstrated that: “many of the symptoms in fibromyalgia are caused by antibodies that increase the activity of pain-sensing nerves throughout the body. [Moreover], the results show that fibromyalgia is a disease of the immune system, rather than the currently held view that it originates in the brain” [1].
The results of the research indicate that the elevated “pain sensitivity, muscle weakness, reduced movement, and reduced number of small nerve-fibres in the skin that are typical of fibromyalgia, are all a consequence of patient antibodies. [Indeed], the implications of this study are profound. Establishing that fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disorder will transform how the condition is viewed, and should pave the way for more effective treatments for the millions of people affected” [1].
King’s College London’s primary investigator of the study, Dr David Andersson, stated: “our work has uncovered a whole new area of therapeutic options and should give real hope to fibromyalgia patients. Previous exploration of therapies has been hampered by our limited understanding of the illness. This should now change” [1]. – Moreover, our team of world class Fibro Doctors here at the London Fibro Clinic, echo the same sentiments, are are already actively playing a role in doing all we can to ameliorate and negate the insufferable symptoms of this disorder.
Getting the Help You Need For Fibromyalgia
If you are suffering from, or think that you may have undetected fibromyalgia (possibly because your GP has not given you a correct diagnosis), then it is easy to book an in-person or online appointment with one of our expert Fibro Specialists. Being given a correct diagnosis is key to getting your life back on track, and here at the Fibro Pain Clinic (in Harley Street), we use advanced diagnostic methods and tools to ensure optimal results.
Reference
[1]. King’s College London (2021). “New study shows Fibromyalgia likely the result of autoimmune problems.”
