Fibromyalgia a disease characterized by pain and tenderness in the muscles and tendons. According to the Mayo Clinic, fibromyalgia occurs in 2 percent of Americans and is more common in women than men. Additionally, the likelihood of developing fibromyalgia increases with age. It is believed that a physical or emotional trauma, genetics or an infection can be the cause of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia sufferers generally have feelings of pain and often feel fatigued. Medical treatment may help the condition, and there are steps you can take to manage and even eliminate some of your symptoms.
Step 1
Take a prescribed antidepressant such as Prozac or Cymbalta. These medications help to relieve some of the exhaustion you may be experiencing, and help you to relax and sleep better. It is imperative that you follow your doctor's instructions for taking these medications.
Step 2
Take an over-the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) to relieve your pain. However, try to gain an understanding of your threshold for pain. If you feel pain every day for most of the day, you don't want to develop a regimen of constantly taking a pain reliever. Try to take pain relievers at the times when you feel there is no other way to manage the pain.
Step 3
Get adequate rest each night. Diminished sleep or rest can have a significant physical and mental affect on the body.
Step 4
Reduce stress with relaxation techniques such as yoga or breathing techniques. stress can exacerbate symptoms. Use the techniques to change your body's reaction to emotional situations.
Step 5
Exercise as often as you can. Exercise can help to strengthen your muscles, increasing their tolerance for pain and sensitivity. Be sure to balance your exercise with periods of rest to prevent further exhaustion.
Step 6
Attend counseling. A counselor can help you identify strategies for mentally coping with your physical symptoms. Approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy are often used to help patients identify their strengths and abilities to manage their lives and regain control of their circumstances.
