How to Fight Fibromyalgia

Individuals with fibromyalgia suffer from widespread body aches and pains, and they are hampered by daily fatigue and sleep difficulties. In addition, they can have gastrointestinal problems, depression, restless legs and other associated complaints. At this time there is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are ways for patients and their doctors to improve the condition and, in some cases, allow the patient to live nearly as fully as they did prior to acquiring the condition.

Instructions

Find the Right Doctor

• 1

  Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. If you are not comfortable with the way she wants to treat them, or if she does not take the condition seriously, consider changing doctors. It also never hurts to get a second opinion.

• 2

  Consider seeing a specialist. Besides general practitioners, rheumatologists, sleep specialists, pain specialists and psychologists can all help with the various symptoms of fibromyalgia.

• 3

  Refer to a list showing recommended doctors in your geographic area who are familiar with fibromyalgia, such as the list in Resources 1.

Know the Current Medications

• 4

  For fighting pain, ask your doctor about the FDA-approved prescription medications Lyrica, Cymbalta and Savella. Prescription NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs) may also help when you are having a flareup. Stronger prescription medications such as Ultram, Oxycontin, morphine and other opioids have been used for fibromyalgia patients, but because of their risks they are often not the first choice.

• 5

  For fighting fatigue, ask whether prescription Provigil or one of the drugs used primarily for for ADHD patients (such as Adderall) might work for you. These are sometimes prescribed for daytime fatigue.

• 6

  For fighting sleep disturbances, check with your doctor about medications that may help you to get to sleep, or achieve deeper sleep. These include prescription Ambien, Lunesta, Xanax, KIonopin and Elavil.

Try Non-Drug Therapies

• 7

  To help avoid pain flareups, pace yourself during the day. Even when you are having a "good" day, do not try to do too much. Regular, light exercise, water therapy and yoga can also ease fibromyalgia flareups.

• 8

  For more energy during the day, be sure that you are getting at least your daily allowance in B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin C and calcium. All of these can help increase energy. Once you check with your doctor, you may be able to take more than your daily allowance safely.

• 9

  To get better sleep, go to bed at the same time each night and awaken at the same time each morning. Do not use the bed or bedroom for daytime activities such as reading or working on your laptop. Try not to eat before bed or drink caffeinated drinks.

• 10

  Consider massage, acupuncture, biofeedback and other alternative therapies to help with your symptoms.

Stay Educated and in Touch

• 11

  Keep up with news about new treatments by regularly checking the websites of the National Fibromyalgia Network, the Fibromyalgia Network and other reliable websites for fibromyalgia updates.

• 12

  Join a national support network if you wish to receive newsletters or magazines that will provide a variety of information about fibromyalgia research and treatments.

• 13

  Join or start a local support group for fibromyalgia sufferers, or join an online forum. You will be able to share stories, information and resources. This will also help to keep you from feeling like you are the only person dealing with the syndrome.