Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalagia

How is it treated?

Typical of a medical condition that is not completely understood, treatment options abound for fibromyalgia. No one treatment is guaranteed to alleviate all of the symptoms, and combining different treatments is more likely to produce adequate relief. Treatments include:

1. Analgesics, such as acetaminophen, aspirin and related medicines, (ibuprofen, etc.), and prescription pain relievers such as tramadol. Combining one or more of the above types of analgesics may work better than simply relying on just one type or class of drug.
2. Muscle relaxants are of potential value when taken intermittently or at night to help with getting adequate rest. Cyclobenzaprine is one such muscle relaxer, but others are also potentially of value.
3. Sleep enhancer medicines may also help with respect to improving overall sleep patterns. Caution is advised when taking these medicines and their potential to interact with other medicines and alcohol, and Warning: These should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
4. Mood-related medicines have been tried over the years to treat the fatigue and stress often accompanying fibromyalgia. Some success has been achieved with traditional antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or doxepin, fluoxetine (Prozac) and related medicines are also being used with varying degrees of success. Newer medicines such as duloxetine, venlafaxine, and pregabalin. hold promise in controlling pain and/or reducing pain sensitivity.
5. Cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically designed to improve one’s ability to cope and deal with stress, may help manage fibromyalgia. This therapy can be taught by a variety of counselors, psychologists and related health-care professionals.
6. Non medical treatments include Additional modalities, such as biofeedback, chiropractic, Pilates, acupuncture and various dietary supplements, have all been tried with varying degrees of success and failure, but have not been proven in clinical trials.
7. Exercise, adjusting work routine to accommodate how you feel, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough rest may also help at night are always important to general health and well-being and will almost certainly improve one’s outlook and symptoms.

Please Ask your doctor for advice about which treatments options are best for you.

Key points: – A combination of both medicines and stress management techniques has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia.

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