Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain at specific "tender points." These tender points include the sides of your hips, upper chest, front sides of your neck, the area between your shoulder blades and the back of the head. This persistent aching causes the patient to feel fatigued often. Recommended treatment is a combination of medications and self-care.
Pain Relievers
The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is pain. Because the pain may occur for most of the day for several days, months or even weeks, it can be dangerous for a patient to take highly concentrated pain medication every day. Your doctor may recommend an analgesic such as acetaminophen or an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) as a first line for pain relief, because these medications are less concentrated and can be readily found at your local store. For moderate to severe cases of fibromyalgia, a prescription pain reliever such as Tramadol may be prescribed.
Antidepressant Drugs
The persistent pain and aching of fibromyalgia can cause you to feel fatigued but prevents you from getting adequate rest. For this reason your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant drug for you. Amitriptyline is commonly prescribed for fibromyalgia patients to promote sleep. Some patients are prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac) to relieve anxiety and promote relaxation. Amitriptyline and Prozac can be taken simultaneously. Duloxetine (Cymbalta) may be prescribed for pain and fatigue. Milnacipran (Savella) is FDA-approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms.
Physical Therapy and Exercise
Most doctors attempt to develop a treatment plan of both medications and physical therapy or exercise to treat the pain and aching. Physical therapy for fibromyalgia is aimed at strengthening your muscles to help them withstand pain. This may include a variety of exercises and stretching techniques. Your physical therapist may also educate you on a variety of techniques using hot and cold temperatures to treat your muscles.
