1660789 How to Cope with Fibromyalgia Pain?

Answer 1

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that affects thousand of people in the United States. Often, it develops secondary to another illness, such as lupus or Diabetes, or after experiencing a trauma. Common symptoms of fibromyalgia include muscle pain, fatigue, difficulty with concentration and nerve pain.

Prescribed Medications

Many patients with fibromyalgia may initially have difficulty getting a firm diagnosis of the condition. Until recently, many doctors and medical professionals had conflicting opinions about whether fibromyalgia is a true medical condition. However, recent medical research indicates chemical differences in pain functions in people with this condition.

Although there are not an abundance of medications available to treat fibromyalgia, a few have been approved in recent years. Cymbalta is a antidepressant that has been very successful in helping people with chronic muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia. Lyrica is another medication that is specifically approved for fibromyalgia. Other medications commonly prescribed for this condition include Neurontin and muscle relaxers such as Flexeril and Beclafan.

Since sleep is also commonly effected by fibromyalgia pain, medications such as Trazadone are also commonly prescribed. Break through pain at night can result in poor sleep and make fibromyalgia symptoms worse during the day.

Non-Medication Approaches

Many people do not want to use prescription medications to treat their fibromyalgia pain. Mild to moderate exercise may help ease pain, although may patients believe that movement will make them feel more pain. Often, this fear alone can keep them from moving and feeling better. Exercises such as swimming in a warm pool or mild yoga exercise can be extremely helpful.

Heat can also help with fibromyalgia pain. Taking hot baths or wrapping up in an electric blanket can relax muscles and ease pain.

Alternative approaches that have met with some success include acupuncture and herbal remedies. Arnica is a homeopathic supplement that many people find helpful. Arnica can be applied to the skin as an ointment, cream or liniment.

Biofeedback is another alternative approach the can be helpful. Patients are taught stress reduction techniques and electronic equipment is used to measure relaxation and control. According to the National Institutes of Health, biofeedback may be one of the most effective alternative treatments available for chronic pain management.

If you have chronic pain and believe you may have fibromyalgia, consult your doctor. Although there are no laboratory tests for this condition, your doctor can assess your level of pain and the specific places in your body where you are experiencing pain to determine a diagnosis. Even though the pain from fibromyalgia can be difficult to cope with, it is possible to manage the pain with medication and alternative pain management techniques.