A Novel Therapy for Polymyalgia Rheumatica Dopaminergic Drugs

Abstract

Objectives: There is good anecdotal support for the concept that most chronic disorders involve increased cellular permeability allowing irritants to infuse into various organs either causing pain or physiological disruption of organ function. There is support for the concept that the large majority of these disorders, despite recalcitrance to standard therapy for that disorder, will demonstrate impressive relief of these various pathological symptoms following treatment with drugs that release dopamine from sympathetic nerve fibers, especially, but not exclusively limited to dextroamphetamine sulfate. Dopamine is known to decrease cellular permeability. The various disorders effecting almost every organ system of the human body fall under the umbrella term of the increased cellular permeability syndrome. Presented here in the first case of polymyalgia rheumatica in a male who was unable to tolerate the dosage of glucocorticoids that may have provided significant pain relief because of psychogenic side effects, who quickly responded to dextroamphetamine sulfate without any side effects.