I read an answer early today about memantine, a drug I have never heard of, from a former pain management doc indicating that it has helped some people with fibromyalgia pain. My own pain management doctor has never mentioned this. Is it experimental? Is it not recommended for fibromyalgia? Can anyone tell me anything about their own personal experience with this drug and chronic pain / fibromyalgia? I'm curious to know as it is something new to me and I am pretty well versed on fibromyalgia and treatments. It has never even been mentioned in my fibromyalgia support group elsewhere.
Memantine for pain from fibromyalgia?
Question posted by jammark on 30 Nov 2023
Last updated on 10 February 2024 by mlm7314
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3 Answers
mlm7314
10 Feb 2024
Ketamine is stronger than memantine. Both use same receptors. Know someone who has done ketamine w lidocaine infusions for chronic pain and also tried oral memantine, as well as oral ketamine. The infusions can help. Most costly, time consuming, and it's an IV. They have diagnose fibromyalgia, CRPS, migraine, TMJD. It is worth a try. They are doing BOTOX, Occipital blocks, infusions and several oral meds. Really wished memantine would have worked. Nasal spray Spravato is a type of ketamine for depression. Must be given at doctor clinic w 2 hour observation. There is discount program available. Good luck and best wishes on your path to health with less pain.
masso
1 Dec 2023
I have not tried this medication and I am aware you asked for personal experiences with Memantine, but came across the following:
Efficacy of memantine in the treatment of fibromyalgia: A double-blind, randomised, controlled trial with 6-month follow-up
Recent studies have found elevated levels of glutamate in several brain regions, leading to hypotheses about the usefulness of glutamate-blocking drugs such as memantine in the treatment of FM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of memantine in the treatment of pain and other clinical variables (global function, clinical impression, depression, anxiety, quality of life) in FM patients. A double-blind, parallel randomized controlled trial was developed. A total of 63 patients diagnosed with FM were recruited from primary health care canters in Zaragoza, Spain. Memantine was administered at doses of 20mg/d after 1 month of titration.
Assessments were carried out at baseline, posttreatment, and 3- and 6-month follow-up. Compared with a placebo group, memantine significantly decreased ratings on a pain visual analogue scale (Cohen's d=1.43 at 6 months) and pain measured with a sphygmomanometer (d=1.05). All other secondary outcomes except anxiety also improved, with moderate-to-large effect sizes at 6 months. Compared with placebo, the absolute risk reduction obtained with memantine was 16.13% (95% confidence interval=2.0% to 32.6%), and the number needed to treat was 6.2 (95% confidence interval=3 to 47). Tolerance was good, with dizziness (8 patients) and headache (4 patients) being the most frequent side effects of memantine. Although additional studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up times are needed, this study provides preliminary evidence of the utility of memantine for the treatment of FM.
Source: National Library of Medicine.
The main goal/objective as you probably are aware is that Memantine is mainly prescribed to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer disease.
jammark
1 Dec 2023
Thank you, @masso
I appreciate you taking the time to find this and share it with me. As the excerpt states, additional studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up times are needed. I hope that somebody or some organization will take over the reins and do a larger study on this potentially promising treatment.
masso
1 Dec 2023
Glad I could help and you are welcome.
jammark
15 Dec 2023
I don't know how to message you. I tried but the site said private messaging not available.
Hobby4ak
18 Dec 2023
Thank you for your info. I keep forgetting to take this. lol but I have noticed that my pain is less in the mornings after my evening dose. I am setting an alarm to remind me to take it. Happy holidays
Hobby4ak
1 Dec 2023
I just somehow came across this too for chronic pain. I’m waiting for it to be shipped to me on Tuesday. Please let me know if you find anything out. I also have many chronic conditions and at my wits end for managing them all. It’s just mentally breaking me down with a break. 24/7 for over 20 years now. Thank you and wish you well. Happy holidays
~Jeannie
Related topics
fibromyalgia, memantine, pain management
Further information
- Memantine uses and safety info
- Memantine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Memantine (detailed)
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