| Learning more about fibromyalgia treatments and the | | | | emotional problems that require additional treatments. |
| condition itself will help you to better understand and | | | | Medications |
| live with your newly diagnosed condition. | | | | There are a number of different medications used |
| Definition | | | | with treatments that are often your doctors' first |
| Fibromyalgia is a very complex pain disorder that is | | | | attempt in treating your condition. |
| closely related to chronic fatigue syndrome. Diagnosis | | | | Typically, your doctor will begin by recommending you |
| is very difficult because the symptoms often mimic the | | | | try to control your pain with an over the counter |
| symptoms of other medical conditions. | | | | analgesic like Tylenol or an anti-inflammatory like |
| In addition to this, the diagnostic criteria are a highly | | | | Aspirin or Ibuprofen. |
| debated topic within the medical community. The | | | | If these basic medications are not effective treatments |
| debate over diagnosis of is primarily attributed to the | | | | for your doctor will try another type of medication. |
| fact that lab tests done on patients often show no | | | | Some of these medications would include |
| signs of illness. | | | | anti-convulsants, antidepressants, opioid pain relievers |
| When lab tests do show signs of illness those results | | | | and topical analgesics. |
| often mimic the symptoms seen in patients with | | | | Treatments |
| rheumatic conditions. Often your final diagnosis of will | | | | There are many different treatments that do not |
| be based upon your doctor having ruled out conditions | | | | involve you taking medications. |
| with similar symptoms. The definition of fibromyalgia is | | | | First and foremost, doctors recommend that patients |
| widespread pain that is consistent. | | | | make certain basic lifestyle changes. |
| Symptoms | | | | These changes include dietary changes, adding in |
| There are many symptoms of that require the use of | | | | some doctor recommended low impact exercises and |
| treatments primarily: | | | | figuring out how to achieve restful sleep each night. |
| · widespread pain, | | | | The dietary changes are mainly based on a balanced, |
| · increased response to stimuli, | | | | nutritional diet, but your doctor may also recommend |
| · extreme fatigue, | | | | the exclusion of certain foods. |
| · unrestful sleep, | | | | Along with basic change there are many other |
| · joint stiffness, | | | | non-medicinal treatments. |
| · numbness and | | | | Common non-medicinal treatments include physical |
| · tingling | | | | therapy, chiropractic manipulation, massage, hypnosis, |
| If you have received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia you | | | | acupuncture, biofeedback and counseling. |
| may also be experiencing: | | | | These therapies make an excellent addition to the |
| · irritable bowel syndrome, | | | | common medications that are used. |
| · bladder irregularities, | | | | In fact, it would not be uncommon for you to feel |
| · breathing difficulties, | | | | confident enough to ask for a reduction in your |
| · problems swallowing, | | | | medication dosages when you see how effective |
| · sleep disturbances, | | | | these changes and treatments can be. |
| · TMJ and | | | | Most people find this multidisciplinary approach most |
| · teeth grinding | | | | effective. |
| These physical symptoms may be coupled with | | | | |
