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Fibromyalgia Antidepressant Treatment

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. Fibromyalgia sufferers also experience ongoing fatigue, and multiple "tender points" on the body where even minimal pressure causes pain. Fibromyalgia is frequently accompanied by depression.

  1. Treatment

    • While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, patients can control symptoms with lifestyle changes, physical therapy, alternative treatments such as acupuncture and massage, and medications including analgesics (pain medication) and antidepressants.

    Depression and Fibromyalgia

    • Depression and fibroymyalgia often occur together because both involve the malfunction of similar neurotransmitters in the brain. Fibromyalgia pain may be caused by an excess of the neurotransmitter Substance P; depression can be caused by not enough of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Some antidepressants (called SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) increase the level of serotonin available in the brain, which in turn cancels out the pain signals sent by Substance P.

    Antidepressant Therapy

    • Low doses of antidepressants may improve sleep patterns and reduce fibromyalgia pain. If the fibromyalgia patient also suffers from depression, higher doses of antidepressants may be necessary. Some common antidepressants used to treat fibromaylgia symptoms include amitriptyline, fluoxitine (Prozac), Duloxitine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella).

    Considerations

    • Thyroid, pancreas and adrenal disorders can cause fibromyalgia- and depression-like symptoms. Patients suffering from these symptoms should consult with a doctor to screen for these and other medical problems that may cause or increase such symptoms.

    Warnings

    • Talk to your doctor before altering any antidepressant regimen.

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