Treatments and Medications for Those Suffering From Fibromyalgia

There are various medications that those with fibromyalgia can be placed on to bring relief from the more than 60 symptoms of fibromyalgia but most patients soon discover that they can be sensitive to most medications

There are some common treatments and medications used to treat fibromyalgia.

The treatments start out with what medical professional is treating the fibromyalgia patient.

Professionals such as a rheumatologist, a medical psychologist, physical or occupational therapist, massage therapist and exercise physiologist can all be a part of your treatment plan.

There are various medications that those with fibromyalgia can be placed on to bring relief from the more than 60 symptoms of fibromyalgia but most patients soon discover that they can be sensitive to most medications and so they usually are placed on the lowest dose possible of many of the medications use to treat the condition.

Common medications used to treat fibromyalgia include lyrica, cymbalta, and antidepressants, and analgesics such as acetaminophen, tramadol or muscle relaxants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories also called NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.

Sleep problems are a common occurrence when the individual has fibromyalgia so medications that are sleep aids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics, dopamine agonists and also muscle relaxants are quite commonly prescribed.

Depression is another common ailment suffered by those with fibromyalgia. Antidepressant drugs and professional counseling are very helpful in dealing with depression.

The doctor treating fibromyalgia may also prescribe vitamins and other supplements, antioxidants, amino acids and herbal remedies.

Trigger-point injections are often used when painful muscle bands do not relax properly. Lidocaine or procaine and sometimes corticosteroids are injected into these trigger points.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique that has also been used to bring relief to those who suffer from fibromyalgia. It has been used for pain reduction and has few side effects.

Acupuncture can be used along with other alternative methods such as massage or chiropractic methods.

Your doctor will tell you of clinical trials or experimental protocols that may benefit but be aware that there are many experimental treatments that have not been studied or approved for fibromyalgia that you should be careful of.

Always ask for research to back up any claims made.

Other treatments that have been successful for relieving the many symptoms of fibromyalgia are nutritional support, stress reduction through breathing exercises and postural reeducation, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, cardiovascular fitness training, EMG-Biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, and manual therapy including osteopathic methods or chiropractic methods.

Any condition that is found to co-exist with the fibromyalgia should be treated this includes any sleep disorders, allergies, anxiety disorders, digestive disorders, or under active thyroid problems.

It is important that along with traditional treatment of therapy and medications that those with fibromyalgia find local and online support groups.

These support groups can help with dealing with the emotional toll that a chronic condition can bring. It is also important that whenever possible family, friends and community members be involved in supporting those with fibromyalgia.