Fibromyalgia - Treatments - Better Medicine

How is fibromyalgia treated?

Treatment for fibromyalgia begins with seeking medical care from your health care provider. To determine whether you have fibromyalgia, you will be asked questions about your symptoms and when symptoms occur, and you will be asked to undergo diagnostic testing. Medications can relieve symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, such as pain and inflammation.

Your health care professional can develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. It is important to follow your treatment plan for fibromyalgia precisely to help minimize your symptoms and decrease the chance of your symptoms recurring over time.

Medications used to treat fibromyalgia

Medications used to treat fibromyalgia include:

Analgesics, such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluoxetine (Prozac), or milnacipran (Savella)
Antiseizure medications, such as gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Pain relievers such as Tramadol (Ultram)

What you can do to improve your fibromyalgia

Your treatment plan for fibromyalgia may also involve lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity and a healthy diet. Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce stress on your muscles and joints and thereby lessen the severity of symptoms.

In addition to taking your medications as prescribed, you can reduce the severity of your symptoms by:

Eating a healthy diet
Getting plenty of sleep
Getting regular physical activity
Maintaining a healthy weight

Complementary treatments

Some complementary treatments may help with fibromyalgia. These treatments, sometimes referred to as alternative therapies, are used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments. Complementary treatments are not meant to substitute for full medical care.

Complementary treatments may include:

Acupuncture
Massage therapy
Yoga

What are the potential complications of fibromyalgia?

You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of fibromyalgia include:

Chronic pain
Decreased quality of life
Depression
Inability to participate normally in activities

References:

Fibromyalgia. PubMed Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001463/. Accessed May 18, 2011.

Fibromyalgia. NIAMS National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia_ff.asp. Accessed May 18, 2011.

INTRODUCTION

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by chronic muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, memory problems, and tenderness at certain points on the body. The cause of fibromyalgia is not completely understood, but it has been suggested... Read more about fibromyalgia introduction

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is often associated with persistent muscle pain, particularly in areas that have been noted as trigger points or localized points of pain. Emotional symptoms may also be caused by fibromyalgia due to stress, lack of sleep, and chronic pain. Fibromyalgia may be strongly associated with other conditions, such as endometriosis (presence of uterine lining tissue outside the uterus), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS; digestive discomfort that does not cause intestinal damage or serious disease), and sleep disturbances.... Read more about fibromyalgia symptoms

CAUSES

What causes fibromyalgia?

The cause of fibromyalgia is not understood. Sometimes it develops in association with traumatic injuries, illnesses, stress injuries, psychological trauma, or even surgery, but these have not been proven to be the cause of fibromyalgia. It has been suggested that people with fibromyalgia process pain signals differently, and a genetic tendency has also been suggested.... Read more about fibromyalgia causes