what can you tell me about fibromyalgia?

Question

I have been told by a dr that I may have it. What is it and what is the treatment?

Answer 1

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by fatigue, widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain. Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. Previously, the condition was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias.

Although the intensity of your symptoms may vary, they'll probably never disappear completely. It may be reassuring to know, however, that fibromyalgia isn't progressive, crippling or life-threatening.

Treatment
In general, treatment for fibromyalgia is with a combination of medication and self-care. The emphasis is on minimizing symptoms and improving general health.

Medications
Medications can help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia and improve sleep. Common choices include:

Analgesics. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may ease the pain and stiffness caused by fibromyalgia. However, its effectiveness varies. Tramadol (Ultram) is a prescription pain reliever that may be taken with or without acetaminophen. Your doctor may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or naproxen sodium (Anaprox, Aleve) — in conjunction with other medications, but NSAIDs haven't proven to be effective in managing the pain in fibromyalgia when taken by themselves.
Antidepressants. Your doctor may prescribe antidepressant medications, such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) or doxepin (Sinequan) to help promote sleep. Fluoxetine (Prozac) in combination with amitriptyline has also been found effective. Sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can help if you're experiencing depression.
Muscle relaxants. Taking the medication cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) at bedtime may help treat muscle pain and spasms. Muscle relaxants are generally limited to short-term use.
Prescription sleeping pills, such as zolpidem (Ambien), may provide short-term benefits for some people with fibromyalgia, but doctors usually advise against long-term use of these drugs. These medications tend to work for only a short time, after which your body becomes resistant to their effects. Ultimately, using sleeping pills tends to create even more sleeping problems in many people.

Benzodiazepines may help relax muscles and promote sleep, but doctors often avoid these drugs in treating fibromyalgia. Benzodiazepines can become habit-forming, and they haven't been shown to provide long-term benefits.

Doctors don't usually recommend narcotics for treating fibromyalgia because of the potential for dependence and addiction. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, haven't been shown to be effective in treating fibromyalgia.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy seeks to increase your belief in your own abilities and teaches you methods for dealing with stressful situations. Therapy can be provided via individual counseling, audiotapes or classes, and may help you manage your fibromyalgia.

Treatment programs
Interdisciplinary treatment programs may be effective in improving your symptoms, including relieving pain. These programs can combine a variety of treatments, such as relaxation techniques, biofeedback and receiving information about chronic pain. There isn't one combination that works best for everybody. Your doctor can create a program based on what works best for you.

Answer 2

My ex-spouse has Fibromyalgia. There are some excellent web sites that can explain it a ways higher than i will be able to. If you are going to put Fibromyalgia within the search window you'll get many sources. Coming from anyone who has dealt with a partner who has it, inform your husband it is a very real disease. It is nonetheless not understood very good, but it is vitally actual. On a further notice, have you been proven for Lupus. My ex's medical professional (arthritis doctors are the pleasant and not lots of them are aware of Fibromyalgia) said that in many circumstances folks with Fibrobyalgia develop Lupus. I do not wish to scare you, I simply need you to begin healing as quickly as viable. Lupus is a way more serious ailment (Fibromyalgia is by no means a stroll in park) and also you will have to be tested periodically. Just right luck. My quality wishes are with you and your husband. Please do not let Fibromyalgia or Lupus do to your marriage what it did to mine. Be patient with every other and encourage you husband to move with you to your health care provider appointments. You need to be sufferer with him. It's a kind of things that may be very intricate for a person to recognize and a woman to handle.

Answer 3

There isn't any accepted treatment for fibromyalgia.

I'm not sure of the scientific definition, but my mother has it and so I know about it. Fibromyalgia is when your muscle nerves constantly register pain. It also causes tight muscles and loss of flexibility.

Many doctors do not believe that it is an actual medical condition, but it is becoming more common and so some doctors are trying to find ways to treat it.

Most of the suggestions I've heard include: a regular program of light exercise and stretching, regular medical checkups, and more...

Answer 4

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. "Tender points" refers to tenderness that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. People with this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms.
Treatment of fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive approach. The physician, physical therapist, and patient may all play an active role in the management of fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise, such as swimming and walking, improves muscle fitness and reduces muscle pain and tenderness. Heat and massage may also give short-term relief. Antidepressant medications may help elevate mood, improve quality of sleep, and relax muscles. Patients with fibromyalgia may benefit from a combination of exercise, medication, physical therapy, and relaxation.

Answer 5

FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons the soft fibrous tissues in the body.
Traditional treatments are geared toward improving the quality of sleep and reducing pain, which means that a sleep study may aid with individualizing your therapy. Deep level (stage 4) sleep is crucial for many body functions (such as tissue repair, antibody production, and the regulation of various neurotransmitters, hormones and immune system chemicals). Therefore, the sleep disorders that frequently occur in FMS patients are treated first because they may be a strong contributing factor to the symptoms of this condition. Medications that boost your body's level of serotonin and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters that modulate sleep, pain, and immune system function) are commonly prescribed in low doses, such as amitriptyline, cyclobenzaprine and Cymbalta. Ambien, Lunesta, clonazepam, and trazodone are just a few of the medications that may be used to aid sleep. Ultram may help with the pain, although stronger opioids may be needed for treating moderate to severe pain. Muscle relaxants, anti-epileptics (such as Neurontin and Lyrica) and other drug categories may be prescribed as well. Each issue of Fibromyalgia Network contains information about new drug therapy options, as well as advice about how to make use of existing medications to minimize FMS symptoms.

Answer 6

Because these are difficult diseases to diagnose and treat, very little is known about them. For a long time patients who suffered from CFS or FM were thought to be "making it up" or somatisizing psychiatric issues. There is increasing recognition that FM and CFS may be autoimmune in nature.

There are as many different treatments as there are people that have it, and the possible causes of it. Good Luck.

Answer 7

It is a form of arthritis. Generally found in older individuals, however if it runs in the family, it is possible you can get it younger. I have it as well. There are medications you can take, but it is something you will have the rest of your life. Not fun, I will tell you that. Very inconvenient and uncomfortable.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

It's usually a bunch of hypochondriac bullcrap that whiny people use to get out of work. The girl I knew that claimed to have it never had symptoms when she was having fun, but as soonm as there was work or cleanup or anything like that to do, she needed to "rest".

Answer 10

http://www.fmaware.org/