Treatment For Fibromyalgia Sufferers

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome and its mostthe burden of depression or anxiety. It is
common symptoms include chronic pain, fatigue,important to deal with your mental health as part
depression/anxiety, and sleep disturbances. It canof an effective treatment for fibromyalgia
be difficult to treat such a syndrome, when thesufferers. Treatment of such disorders may
underlying causes are not fully understood.include cognitive behavioural, or other psychiatric
Pain Medicationspsychological therapies, often concurrently with
Common pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen,therapeutic does of anti-depressants/anti-anxiety
and cortisone as treatment for fibromyalgiamedications. Treating the emotional issues will not
sufferers are often of very little help. Analgesicscure FM, but it will lessen your load.
such as codeine, morphine or oxycodone mayTrigger Point Injections
provide some significant pain relief, however thesePain in trigger points can be treated using
are opioids, which have side effects that FMinjections of local anesthetic, usually low
patients are particularly sensitive to such asconcentration Procaine, directly in the trigger point,
nausea, constipation, itching and mental fogginess.and the muscle is subsequently stretched using
It is for this reason that most patients do notthe "spray and stretch" technique. Following the
choose to take such narcotics for the long-term.injection, 2-4 days will pass before any effects of
Recent research shows that addiction rarelythe treatment are experienced. This type of
develops when opioid medications are taken fortreatment for fibromyalgia sufferers is very
chronic pain, however, dependence does occur inpainful and is indicated only temporarily
the majority of patients. Alternative treatment(approximately 2-3 months). There are other
for fibromyalgia sufferers can include weakertreatments that are applied directly to trigger and
opioids such as Ultram or Ultracet, which havetender points including heat, massage, gentle
minimal addiction potential.stretching, and acupuncture.
Treatment for Sleep DisturbancesExercise as Treatment
Sleep Disturbances that often occur with FM mayIt can be difficult to incorporate exercise as a
have underlying causes including sleep apnea,treatment for fibromyalgia sufferers, since they
restless legs syndrome, or grinding of the teeth.are already fatigued and in pain. However, growing
These possible contributors should be ruled outevidence shows that regular exercise is crucial in
before commencing treatment for fibromyalgiathe battle against FM, and patients who adopt a
sufferers. If no underlying cause is found, lowregular exercise plan display immense progress. A
doses of tricyclic anti-depressants, or sleeplow impact routine including walking, riding a
medications such as zolpidem (Ambien) are oftenstationary bike, water aerobics, or a AquaJogger,
useful. These drugs are not addictive when usedetc., and avoiding impact loading activities such as
in low dosages, and patients taking suchjogging, contact sports, regular and aerobics is
medications seldom experience side effects.beneficial. It is of course advisable to consult a
Treatment for fibromyalgia sufferers should notphysician before beginning an exercise routine as
include regular use of strong sleeping pills such aspart of treatment for fibromyalgia sufferers. To
Restoril or Valium, since they diminish the qualitykeep aerobically fit you only need 20 minutes of
of sleep.physical activity three times a week at 70% of
Depression and Anxietyyour maximum heart rate.
Approximately one fifth of FM sufferers also bear