Dear Dr. SerVaas,

I have suffered from fibromyalgia for years. I understand there is medicine or treatment now for relief. Can you help me?

Jack Lurch
Wickenburg, Arizona

Two drug therapies may offer new hope to people coping with fibromyalgia pain. Launched in early 2006, the prescription medicine Ultram ER (tramadol HCL) is taken once every 24 hours for moderate to moderately severe chronic pain. In addition, clinical test data show that an over-the-counter spray called 024 Fibromyalgia may improve night pain, handgrip strength, total number of tender points, and average tender point pain threshold. The Swiss Medica product is available online and at retail drugstores such as CVS, Eckerd, and Rite Aid.