Cures and “highly effective” treatments for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are advertised everywhere. As a person who wants to feel better, it is understandable that you would be interested in these so-called “remedies.” But companies may be trying to manipulate you with false claims about their products, taking advantage of your desire to be rid of your pain and other symptoms.
As an ad-free, Member-supported organization, the Fibromyalgia Network has no ties to any product manufacturer: our loyalties are to people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Below are some tools we have created to help you learn to recognize when to write off popular medical hoaxes and treatment scams.
Your Assessment Tools
If a product is “FDA-Approved” or “Clinically Proven,” what do these terms mean for you as the consumer? These simple tips can prevent you from wasting time and money on an item that appears promising, but actually has no real scientific basis for helping you.
Click here to learn about the phrases used as hype to sell products and therapies.
Curious about Guaifenesin?
One product that is popularly touted as a cure-all for fibromyalgia, but has no valid scientific data to back up its effectiveness claims is guaifenesin. Guaifenesin is a cough syrup expectorant that has been the subject of a lot of internet rumblings over the years, but without substantial reason.
Click here to read the background on this controversial drug, how it allegedly works, and see what the lead author of a year-long study on guaifenesin concluded.