Fibromyalgia is a form of arthritis that primarily affects women. You may know one of the more than ten million Americans who suffer from this painful condition. Most people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women between the ages of 40 and 55.
Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is most often characterized by sensations of widespread pain and intense fatigue. The actual symptoms of fibromyalgia are similar to those of other types of arthritis, making a positive diagnosis very difficult. In fact, there was a time when doctors were not aware that the condition existed, but that's all changing.
The disease is now better known and more clearly understood by patients, doctors and the general public. More and better treatment options are becoming available to help patients deal with this frustrating and often debilitating condition.
Treatment
Your ability to control the symptoms is the key to treating fibromyalgia. No single treatment will work for every patient, because many people experience unique combinations of symptoms. It is an inconsistency that makes it even more difficult for doctors to properly treat the disease. If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, your first step toward treatment is to discuss your specific and unique symptoms with your doctor.
* Treating Fibromyalgia Pain
If you suffer mainly with pain, your doctor's primary focus may be on pain relieving medications and therapies. When your doctor begins a new pain medication treatment, he or she will probably start with the lowest dosage possible. Be patient, as you may have to take part in an extended period of trial and error before you and your doctor can achieve the right level of medication to properly treat your symptoms.
Intense pain or pressure at a specific tender point can sometimes call for cortisone injections. It's a proven method for effectively relieving pain in many fibromyalgia patients.
* Treating Inflammation
When fibromyalgia presents mainly with inflammation, doctors often prescribe NSAID medications. These non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can be effective for some patients, while others report no substantial degree of improvement or relief.
* Fibromyalgia-Related Depression
Many fibromyalgia patients report feelings of depression and anxiety. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, your doctor will probably prescribe some form of anti-depressant medication. The inability to sleep can also compound these feelings of depression, and add to the fatigue that so many fibromyalgia patients report. Doctors may prescribe anti-depressants or sleep aids to help ease the patient into sleep, while increasing the amount of serotonin in the patient's bloodstream.
Your doctor must balance these drugs very carefully, particularly if you're taking both a pain medication and an anti-depressant. It's important that you and your doctor work toward the mutual goal of controlling the symptoms of fibromyalgia with few or no side effects.
If you prefer drug-free treatments for fibromyalgia, you do have a few options. Many patients have found exercise to be effective in reducing the overall feelings of pain and fatigue. Many patients experience substantial relief by using heating pads, shower therapies and water exercise. Heat seems to provide welcome muscle pain relief, so any form of warm water therapy or exercise is recommended for fibromyalgia patients.
Fibromyalgia is not a new disease, but modern medicine has brought about new treatments that can make it more manageable. Speak with your doctor if you feel that your symptoms may indicate the presence of fibromyalgia. Proper diagnosis can make it so much easier to avoid future complications, treat the symptoms and live comfortably with fibromyalgia.
