Fibromyalgia is one of those mysterious syndromes that can either occur by itself, or accompany other diseases such as lupus and chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome. The main feature of fibromyalgia is persistent pain-not necessarily in the joints, but deep in muscles-that occurs for no apparent reason. The symptoms of fibromyalgia include tenderness at several points of the body. In addition, people with fibromyalgia frequently have fatigue, sleep disturbances, numbness, joint swelling, and other symptoms. It is often treated with tricyclic antidepressants.

It has been suggested by several researchers that S-Adenosylmethionine might be a good substitute for tricyclic antidepressants for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Several studies have proven them right. In a study in the Scandanavian Journal of Rheumatology, 800 mg of S-Adenosylmethionine per day for six weeks improved "clinical disease activity", pain, and morning stiffness. Mood improved when measured by the Face Scale, but there was no signficant improvement on the Beck Depression Inventory.

An earlier study did find, however, significant improvement on the HAM-D and the Scala di Autovalutazione per la Depressione in 11 of 17 fibromyalgia patients taking S-Adenosylmethionine.

Another study compared SAM-e to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Fifteen patients with primary fibromyalgia were given one 200 mg injection of S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) in the morning, plus a 200 mg tablet at noon and in the evening. The study lasted 6 weeks. During the first 2 weeks, patients in the SAM-e group had a significant decrease on two depression scales. During the last 2 weeks, a significant reduction on a third scale occurred. The TENS patients did not do as well. But when 5 of them switched to SAM-e, their depression scores also decreased. No side effects were reported.

A study published in Current Therapeutic Research found that a 200 mg injection of SAM-e plus 400 mg orally twice a day significantly decreased depression in fibromyalgia patients beginning on day 7. This coincided with a decrease in physical symptoms.

Material for this article from LEF Magazine April 1997

REFRERENCES Tavoni A, Vitali C, Bombardieri S and G Pasero. The evaluation of S-adenosylmethionine in primary fibromyalgia. A double-blind crossover study. Am J Med 83(5A): 107-110, 1987.

Jacobsen S, Danneskiold-Samsoe B, Andersen RB. Oral S-adenosylmethionine in primary fibromyalgia. Double-blind clinical evaluation. Scand J Rheumatol 20: 294-302, 1991.

Di Benedetto P, Iona LG and V Zidarich. Clinical evaluation of S-adenosyl-L- methionine versus transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in primary fibromyalgia. Curr Ther Res 53: 222-229, 1993