| Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition categorized as a | | | | doctor to treat fibromyalgia. Such antidepressant |
| form of arthritis. Fibromyalgia is characterized by | | | | medications that may be prescribed include: |
| widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments, and | | | | Pamelor, Elavil, Doxepin, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. |
| tendons. Common symptoms of fibromyalgia | | | | These medications may be prescribed in |
| include fatigue, headaches, painful menstrual | | | | conjunction with each other. These medications |
| periods, tingling or numbness in the hands and | | | | treat serotonin levels in the brain and may also |
| feet, morning stiffness, multiple tender points on | | | | promote sleep. |
| the body, and sleep difficulty. Common sites of | | | | Those affected with muscle pain and spasms |
| pain include the back, shoulders, neck, pelvic girdle, | | | | may need to take a muscle relaxant such as |
| and hands but any body part may be affected. | | | | Flexeril at bedtime. Your doctor may also |
| The cause of fibromyalgia is not known. However, | | | | prescribe a benzodiazepine to promote sleep and |
| many factors can contribute to fibromyalgia. | | | | help relax muscles. Certain sleep medications such |
| Researchers believe that disturbances in sleep | | | | as Ambien are classified as a benzodiazepine. |
| patterns may be a cause of fibromyalgia rather | | | | However, these medications are not |
| than a symptom. Viral or bacterial infections may | | | | recommended for long term use because of the |
| also be a trigger. Injury or trauma that affects | | | | increased risk of dependence. |
| the central nervous system may be a cause of | | | | Your doctor may help you to create a unique |
| fibromyalgia. An imbalance in neurotransmitters in | | | | treatment program involving cognitive-behavioral |
| the brain may also be a cause of fibromyalgia. | | | | therapy and an interdisciplinary program. |
| Serotonin is one such neurotransmitter that | | | | Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves teaching |
| researchers believe is linked to cause fibromyalgia | | | | patients to deal with stressful situations. |
| along with depression, migraines, and | | | | Interdisciplinary treatment programs may involve |
| gastrointestinal distress. Abnormalities in the | | | | relaxation techniques, biofeedback, and education |
| autonomic nervous system may be a cause of | | | | regarding chronic pain. |
| fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia may also be caused by | | | | Self care is also very important in treating |
| changes in muscle metabolism such as | | | | fibromyalgia. Self care includes reducing stress, |
| deconditioning and decreased blood flow. | | | | achieving adequate sleep, exercising regularly, and |
| Fibromyalgia affects people in early and middle | | | | eating a healthy diet. There are also alternative |
| adulthood but can affect children as well. Those | | | | therapies that might help alleviate the stress and |
| affected by rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or | | | | pain associated with fibromyalgia. These therapies |
| ankylosing spondylitis are more likely to develop | | | | include chiropractic care, massage therapy, |
| fibromyalgia. A family history of fibromyalgia also | | | | meditation, yoga, acupressure, physical therapy, |
| increases the chance of developing this disorder. | | | | light aerobics, aromatherapy, herbs, nutritional |
| Those with sleep disorders such as restless legs | | | | supplements, myofascial release therapy, |
| syndrome or sleep apnea have an increased risk | | | | application of heat/cold, and acupuncture. |
| of developing fibromyalgia. | | | | Visiting a doctor of osteopathy may be beneficial |
| Fibromyalgia is not a progressive or life | | | | for treating fibromyalgia. Doctors of osteopathy |
| threatening disease. The symptoms of | | | | are licensed to perform the same therapies and |
| fibromyalgia vary in intensity. There are many | | | | procedures as medical doctors but are also taught |
| treatments that can improve the symptoms of | | | | the use of manipulation to address joint and spinal |
| fibromyalgia. | | | | problems. A doctor of osteopathy may be more |
| Certain medications can treat the pain involved | | | | apt to see the subtle signs of fibromyalgia. |
| with fibromyalgia. Certain analgesics used to treat | | | | There is no cure for fibromyalgia yet, but hope is |
| fibromyalgia include: acetaminophen, NSAID's | | | | on the horizon. The fibromyalgia patient has many |
| (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and Ultram | | | | resources to help deal with this disorder such as |
| (Tramadol). These medications may be used in | | | | support groups, organizations, and medical |
| conjunction with each other for better pain relief. | | | | professionals to help improve your quality of life. |
| However, Ultram must be prescribed by a | | | | Fibromyalgia is not life threatening and treatments |
| physician while NSAID's (ibuprofen, naproxen, | | | | tend to improve the severity of the symptoms |
| aspirin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are available | | | | over time. There are many tools that the |
| over the counter. | | | | fibromyalgia sufferer can use to become a |
| Antidepressants may be prescribed by your | | | | fibromyalgia survivor! |