Fibromyalgia
- Article
- 2021-01-29
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness, along with a number of other symptoms. While fibromyalgia is often considered an arthritis-related condition, it is not really a form of arthritis (a disease of the joints) because it does not cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles, or other tissues. Like Arthritis, Fibromyalgia:
- Can cause significant pain and fatigue.
- May interfere with your ability to perform daily activities.
- Damages the joints and / or soft tissues and causes chronic pain.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are pain and fatigue. In addition, you may experience a number of other symptoms, including:
- Cognitive problems and memory problems (also called "fibro fog").
- Headache.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Morning stiffness.
- Numbness or tingling in the limbs.
- Painful periods.
- Restless leg syndrome.
- Sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Temperature sensitivity.
Therapy
Doctors usually work with a team of health care providers and treat fibromyalgia with:
- Medicines.
- Lifestyle changes.
- Complementary therapies.
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat because not all doctors are familiar with fibromyalgia and its treatment. You should seek out a physician who understands fibromyalgia treatment, which may include several members of the treatment team.
Medicines
Doctors can prescribe one of three medications currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of fibromyalgia:
- Duloxetine, an antidepressant.
- Milnacipran, similar to other antidepressants, but only approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
- Pregabalin treats neuropathic pain (chronic pain caused by damage to the nervous system).
In addition, your doctor can also treat fibromyalgia with other medications that have been developed and approved for other purposes.
Painkillers
Painkillers are painkillers. They range from over-the-counter products to prescription drugs. Your doctor can prescribe a pain reliever to relieve your pain. If your pain is severe, your doctor may recommend an anesthetic. However, there is no solid evidence to show that narcotics really work to treat the chronic pain of fibromyalgia. Most doctors are reluctant to prescribe them for long-term use because you can become physically or psychologically dependent on them.
Steroid-free anti-inflammatory drugs
Doctors prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium, to treat inflammation. While inflammation is not a symptom of fibromyalgia, NSAIDs can help relieve your pain. NSAIDs work by inhibiting prostaglandins, a substance found in your body that plays a role in pain and inflammation.These medications, some of which are available without a prescription, can help relieve the muscle pain of fibromyalgia. NSAIDs can also relieve menstrual cramps and the headaches you may experience with fibromyalgia.
Lifestyle changes
Making lifestyle changes can also help control your fibromyalgia, including:
- Get enough sleep.
- To practise.
- Making changes at work.
- Good food.
Complementary therapies
Your doctor may recommend treating your fibromyalgia with additional therapies, including:
- Massage.
- Movement therapies, such as Pilates and the Feldenkrais method.
- Chiropractic Treatments.
- Acupuncture.
- Herbal and dietary supplements.
Although underAs researchers are studying the use of supplements for fibromyalgia, there is little or no scientific evidence that they help. The FDA does not regulate the sale of dietary supplements, so information about side effects, proper dosage, and the amount of active ingredients in a preparation may not be well known.
If you are using or want to try any complementary or alternative therapy, you should first consult your doctor, who may know more about the effectiveness of the therapy and whether it is safe to try it in conjunction with your medications.
To learn more about complementary and alternative therapies, visit the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health .
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