Fibromyalgia Treatment

Treating fibromyalgia is not an easy task. Since there is no documented cause, doctors work to treat the symptoms of the condition. The treatments are as varied as the symptoms when you’re talking about fibromyalgia.

Medications

The major symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain. The pain affects muscles, tendons, and joints throughout the body. Fibromyalgia sufferers also complain of tender points of pain that normally wouldn’t be sensitive in people without the condition.

Analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen sodium (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Motrin) help to ease the pain. Depending on the severity of the pain, analgesics can safely manage it. But, those with severe pain look to other medications for relief.

Doctors prescribe some medications on a short-term basis. Flexeril, a muscle relaxant, can be taken at night to help with cramping and pain. It isn’t used on a long term basis due to the chance of addiction.

Researchers have been working with anti-seizure medications to discover if they can help fibromyalgia sufferers. The use of Neurontin for pain and fatigue has been shown in university studies to decrease the incidence of both and improve sleep quality. The FDA has approved prescription Lyrica, which is a derivative of gabapentin (Neurontin). It is the first drug that has been developed to treat fibromyalgia specifically. Side effects include dizziness and drowsiness.

Antidepressants also show promising help for people with fibromyalgia. Depression often comes with the territory when fibromyalgia is the diagnosis. Certain antidepressants like Cymbalta also treats pain associated with depression. Prescribing it, for fibromyalgia sufferers, aids in pain relief. Combining certain antidepressants also helps with sleep problems.

Behavior Therapy

One way to assist with managing fibromyalgia is through behavior therapy. Viewing the condition in a positive light can eliminate depression from the equation. Through the use of CDs or tapes and counseling, patients learn to deal with the symptoms and maintain their social relationships.

Along the same lines, doctors and other health professionals educate patients about their condition. Using stress reduction methods, patients modify their behavior and do less on good days to minimize the number of bad days.

Alternative treatments

Other non-conventional treatments have been used to relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia. One such treatment is the art of acupuncture. This is a Chinese medicinal process that has been practiced for thousands of years. Needles are placed in the skin at different pressure points to correct the flow of the life force within a person.

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Exercise works wonders for the body. Even for someone in chronic pain, a regular exercise regimen can eventually manage pain and promote a more restful sleep. Because of painful joints, non-jarring exercises like water aerobics, elliptical machines, cycling, and swimming are all good choices for someone with fibromyalgia.

Treatments for fibromyalgia are focused on the symptoms of the condition. Managing pain, sleeplessness, fatigue, and other symptoms lead to a more productive life for people with fibromyalgia.