FOR six years, terrible pain kept Madam Michelle Cheong flat on her back, but a recently approved drug has brought her welcome relief.

Madam Cheong, 43, suffered from throbbing headaches and a constant pain like having bad bruises on her back, neck and head. At its worst, she could not sleep. Traditional painkillers did not work.

Last October, however, she was given a drug traditionally used to treat those suffering from epileptic fits.

Known as Lyrica, it has recently been approved by the Health Sciences Authority to treat a type of chronic pain known as fibromyalgia.

For the full story, read Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.