Fibromyalgia is an unusual condition that affects many people who suffer from pain and tender points throughout the body. The disorder also causes chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, depression and anxiety. Many people with fibromyalgia have to go through various treatments to find relief because the disease is often hard to diagnose. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known. Some people begin to report symptoms follow traumatic events that affect them physically and emotionally.
Pain
There may be muscular aching, throbbing or intense burning that seems to rise up from the muscles. The head, neck, shoulders and lower back are often affected. Muscles in the face can feel tight and often hurt when pressure is applied. Moderate exercise can even make the pain worse, and patients may feel exhausted afterward. They usually must do mild exercising in short intervals. Patients often suffer from migraine or tension headaches that may be caused by muscle pain from the head, neck and shoulders. Many fibromyalgia patients have reported temporomandibular joint dysfunction, a painful condition related to jaw and head pain.
Fatigue
Patients not only feel exhausted but also report that their arms and legs feel weighted down and their entire bodies feel drained, according to the Fibromyalgia Network. People with fibromyalgia often feel tired and stiffness in the morning after waking up. Many patients report sleep disturbances throughout the night, and they can't seem to get a full night's rest.
Various Disorders
Fibromyalgia patients often suffer from constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and nausea. Other symptoms may include numbness and tingling, palpitations, memory difficulties or "fibro fog," and multiple tender points that are painful to the touch throughout the body.
Medication
Prescribed medications for fibromyalgia may include Cymbalta, Lyrica and Savella, which are approved by the FDA for treatment of fibromyalgia. They may help in boosting the level of serotonin and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that are important to sleep functioning and pain reduction. Lyrica is an anti-epileptic medication. Antidepressants may also be used. Many medications that help patients sleep are good for fibromyalgia patients, including sleep aids such as Ambien, Lunesta, clonazepam and trazodone, according to the Fibromyalgia Network. Muscle relaxants may also be prescribed.
Therapy
Different therapies have also known to be helpful. They include trigger point injections with lidocaine, physical therapy, relaxation and biofeedback techniques, and therapeutic massage. Acupuncture, chiropractic care and gentle exercise programs have also worked for some patients. Counseling to help patients strengthen their beliefs despite their physical difficulties and deal with stressful conditions may be helpful, the Mayo Clinic reports.
