4.8 average rating
Constant fatigue and pain make daily life difficult. And these are just some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. The first step toward finding relief from fibromyalgia is learning what can be done to treat it.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic medical condition that’s marked by aches, pains, and tender points all over the body. It also causes fatigue, trouble sleeping, and can even lead to memory difficulties and depression.
Fibromyalgia affects more than 4 million people in the United States, and women are much more likely to get fibromyalgia than men. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but doctors and researchers are always looking for new treatment options to help people find relief from their symptoms.
Fibromyalgia symptoms are often treated with medication, exercise, counseling, and/or physical therapy. People who develop fibromyalgia will spend a lot of time focusing on symptom management to improve their quality of life with the condition.
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but some researchers believe it has to do with how the brain processes pain signals. People with fibromyalgia are more sensitive to temperature, pressure, light, and noise than others. Anyone can develop fibromyalgia, but women and people between the ages of 20 and 60 are more likely to get the condition. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means, all other medical conditions which can present like fibromyalgia should be ruled out. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), thyroid disease, vitamin D deficiency, depression, and migraine are the common diseases that need to be excluded.
Fibromyalgia must be properly diagnosed by a medical professional. “The requirements for diagnosis are: a patient with generalized widespread pain, lasting at least 3 months, along with other complaints (fatigue, problems sleeping, headaches, gastrointestinal disruption, and cognitive problems such as brain fog),” says Maria Vila, DO, a family medicine specialist in Morristown, NJ and medical advisor for eMediHealth.
“You also need a physical exam showing tenderness at multiple sites without any obvious signs of inflammation or injury such as swelling. The final component of diagnosis involves blood work that is normal, and any other tests that may be necessary based on the patient's individual symptoms, such as a test for obstructive sleep apnea,” says Dr. Vila.
Other than blood work tests or sleep apnea tests, a healthcare provider might order one of the following to help rule out other medical conditions:
During an exam, a healthcare provider or rheumatologist may ask some of the following questions to help confirm a diagnosis:
Having the answers to these questions ready at the time of your examination will help whoever’s diagnosing you do the best job they can.
Once someone is diagnosed with fibromyalgia, the next step is finding a treatment plan to help manage symptoms. A medical professional will be able to recommend the best treatment plan, but here are some of the most common treatments for fibromyalgia:
Treatment of fibromyalgia will often involve a combination of treatment options. It may take some time and experimentation, but relief from symptoms is possible if you find what works for you and stick with it.
Fibromyalgia medications help treat pain and can even help with things like mood changes and difficulty sleeping. Here are some of the most popular groups of medications used to treat fibromyalgia.
For mild fibromyalgia pain, many over-the-counter painkillers can help. Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) are both examples of medications that can be purchased at any pharmacy. Pain medications may help you feel better, but they often work best as part of a multidimensional treatment plan for fibromyalgia.
Antidepressants work by increasing hormones in the brain like serotonin, which can help the central nervous system respond to pain better. Antidepressants can also help with mood changes and sleep problems that many people with fibromyalgia have. Cymbalta, Paxil, and Savella are commonly prescribed antidepressants.
Anticonvulsants, or anti-seizure medications, help keep nerves from sending too many pain signals to the brain. Lyrica (pregabalin) and Neurontin gabapentin are anti-seizure drugs that are approved by the FDA to treat fibromyalgia, but they can cause side effects like weight gain and blurred vision.
There isn’t one single fibromyalgia medication that will work best for everyone. The type of medication you’ll need will depend on your age, medical history, symptoms, other medications you’re taking, and your response to treatment. The following table lists commonly prescribed fibromyalgia medications.
| Drug name | Drug class | Administration route | Standard dosage | Common side effects |
| Paxil (paroxetine) | Antidepressant | Oral | 25 mg taken once daily in the morning | Nausea, dizziness, headaches |
| Lyrica (pregabalin) | Anticonvulsant | Oral | 300-400 mg daily | Loss of coordination, trouble concentrating, weight gain |
| Neurontin (gabapentin) | Anticonvulsant | Oral | 300-1800 mg taken as directed by a medical professional | Weight gain, changes to urination, mood changes |
| Savella (milnacipran) | Antidepressant | Oral | 50 mg taken twice daily | Nausea, headaches, constipation |
| Cymbalta (duloxetine hcl) | Antidepressant | Oral | 60 mg taken once daily | Nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea |
| Elavil (amitriptyline) | Tricyclic antidepressant | Oral | 75 mg taken daily | Constipation, nausea, decreased sex drive |
| Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) | Muscle relaxant | Oral | 5 mg taken 3 times daily | Drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue |
| Naprosyn (naproxen) | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug | Oral | 250 mg taken twice daily | Headaches, stomach pain, bruising |
| Ultram (tramadol) | Pain reliever | Oral | Should not exceed 400 mg per day | Dizziness, nausea, constipation |
Dosage is determined by your healthcare provider based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and weight. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list.
As with any medication, there’s always the potential for side effects. Fibromyalgia medications may cause some of the following side effects:
It’s possible for fibromyalgia medications to cause more serious side effects. If you start having severe mood changes, suicidal thoughts, trouble breathing, hives, or severe vomiting, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you seek medical attention immediately.
This list of side effects is not comprehensive. Your healthcare provider can give you a complete list of side effects of any medication you’re taking, and they can also warn you about any potential interactions with other drugs you might be taking.
Many people use home remedies to help treat their fibromyalgia symptoms. Here are some of the most effective home remedies for fibromyalgia.
There’s a lot of research that suggests how beneficial regular exercise is to reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. Strength training and aerobic training both help the body deal with pain, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.
Finding ways to relieve stress can help the body manage pain symptoms and can help feelings of depression go away. Relaxing, walking, and listening to calming music are all great ways to reduce stress.
Acupuncture has been known to reduce overall body pain for people with fibromyalgia. Some medical insurance plans cover acupuncture treatment, so it might be worth looking into this type of treatment.
Several meditative therapies such as tai chi, qigong, and yoga have been proven to benefit people who suffer from fibromyalgia.
The best treatment for fibromyalgia may vary from person to person but will likely involve a combination of counseling, medication, and lifestyle changes.
One of the lesser-known symptoms of fibromyalgia is an increased sensitivity to certain foods. Some foods like sugar, processed foods, fried foods, and alcohol can make fibromyalgia symptoms worse.
Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen are a quick way to help with fibromyalgia pain, but other medications like antidepressants can also help. The best pain medication for you will depend on your individual symptoms and medical history.
The most severe symptoms of fibromyalgia are pain, fatigue, concentration problems, trouble sleeping, depression, headaches, and memory problems.
The newest medication approved by the FDA to treat fibromyalgia is called Savella. It’s a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that helps the body respond to pain signals better.
Some fibromyalgia medications can cause weight gain, but this isn’t a side effect of every medication. If you’re concerned about gaining weight from taking your medication, your healthcare provider can give you the best advice on how to avoid this.
Here are some ways to treat fibromyalgia at home:
CBD can be used as a muscle relaxer because it contains cannabinoids. Research data for CBD use for fibromyalgia is still anecdotal at this point. Cannabinoids are a chemical found in CBD oil that help muscles relax and contract less once they’re absorbed into the body. Many people use CBD creams and oils for pain relief.
Sign up
Log in
Español