A recent article in the Daily Mail reported that studies have shown that an antidepressant called Duloxetine may help reduce chronic low back pain and there have been several studies over the past few years looking at the role of duloxetine in pain management. In addition to treating depression, it is already licensed in some countries in the treatment of diabetic neuralgia, pain caused by osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia and more recent studies have looked at chronic low back pain.
About 80% of people will get some form of low back pain during their lifetime. Acute low back pain usually starts to get better after one month and is mostly resolved after 3 months whereas chronic low back pain is generally described as low back pain lasting more than 3 months.
Duloxetime is commonly used as an anitidepresssant and it works by enhancing the action of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter or chemical in the brain and spinal cord. Just as it helps with depression it can activate pain inhibitory systems in the spinal cord which results in reducing pain. Similarly, Amitryptillin is already used to help nerve pain but usually in much lower doses than for the treatment of depression. So far the results have been very promising and a possible alternative to other pain killers.
Remember! If your doctor recommends a trial of amitryptilline, or maybe duloxetine in the future, it does NOT mean they think you are depressed or that your pain is in your head! And what works for one person doesn’t always work for another – we are all wired slightly differently!
