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American Morning

Drug Treats Lower Back Pain

Aired May 22, 2001 - 09:21   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A drug intended for other use is offering hope for millions of Americans with chronic lower back pain.

CNN medical correspondent Rea Blakey has this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REA BLAKEY, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Master Sergeant Michael Ramina is one of nearly 12 million Americans suffering chronic low back pain.

MASTER SGT. MICHAEL RAMINA: Something as simple as putting a grocery bag in a car, my legs would just stop working, and I'd find myself in a parking lot trying to pull -- just numb.

BLAKEY: Now a product used to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, treat migraines, and muscle spasms, Botox, is showing promise in treating chronic low back pain. In higher doses, Botox, or botulinum intoxin A, can weaken muscle or cause botulism. But in medically safe doses...

DR. BAHMAN JABBARI, STUDY AUTHOR: We could decrease the input from the sensory fibers to the spinal cord.

BLAKEY: According to a study published in the journal "Neurology," 31 patients who had experienced back pain for an average of six years were asked to rate their level of pain before being given either Botox or a placebo of saline injections.

Three weeks later, 73 percent of those receiving Botox said their back pain was cut in half, compared to 25 percent of those on saline. Two months later, 60 percent of those receiving the drug continued to experience significant pain reduction, compared to 13 percent on saline.

Within a week, Michael said his pain diminished significantly. He gained mobility and endurance.

RAMINA: Has it fixed it completely, no, and I know it every day. But do I have episodes where my legs have just stopped working because of these shooting pains? No, that's stopped.

(END VIDEOTAPE) BLAKEY: Even though Botox injections can cause flu-like symptoms, no negative side effects were reported among the patients in the study. The pain-reducing effects last about three to four months before another injection is necessary. Meanwhile, the researchers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center say more longer-term studies are needed to determine if Botox back pain treatments will remain effective over time -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: After the injections, can the patients come off this pain medication?

BLAKEY: Actually, Kyra, during the study, the patients were advised to continue their pain medications, even though some of them were able to reduce the amount of medication they were taking. Others hope that they can eventually wean themselves away, but that too is still to be determined with longer-term studies.

PHILLIPS: Interesting. Rea Blakey, thank you so much.

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