Wide spread pain in muscles, ligaments and joints, accompanied by a variety of other symptoms, such as multiple tender spots, sleep disturbance, mood swings and fatigue, characterize Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition. A syndrome rather than a disease, fibromyalgia presents as a collection of signs, symptoms and medical conditions that seem to occur together that have no identifiable cause, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association. Fibromyalgia, a common chronic pain condition, affects an estimated 10 million people in the US, 75 to 90% of which are women. Treatments include a variety of medications that target the reduction of individual symptoms rather than the overall condition.
Lyrica
Lyrica, the first FDA approved drug designed to treat fibromyalgia, also treats diabetic nerve damage. According to Health.com, scientists have not identified how Lyrica works, but studies show that it often proves beneficial in reducing pain and improving sleep. It helps to calm hyperactive neurons that release neuro-transmitters; chemicals that transmit signals from one nerve to another.
Antidepressants
The FDA approved Duloxetine or Cymbalta as only the second drug designed specifically to treat fibromyalgia. Duloxetine, a selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI) inhibits the function of serotonin and norepinephrine; chemicals in the brain and spinal cord believed to affect mood and the perception of pain, according to Pro Health. Many other SSNRI antidepressant drugs, available by prescription, treat fibromyalgia. Many fibromyalgia sufferers experience depression and mood swings and these types of drugs often prove helpful in treating this symptom along with pain.
Analgesics
Doctors regularly prescribe acetaminophen to help control and reduce the common pain associated with fibromyalgia. The effectiveness of Acetaminophen increases when used in conjunction with Tramadol, another prescription pain reliever. Doctors recommend -steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help reduce pain and stiffness, but according to Mayo Clinic, these drugs fail to treat symptoms unless used in a treatment plan that includes other pain medications. With severe pain, doctors may consider prescribing narcotic opioid medication; however, the serious side effects associated with narcotic medication make doctors hesitant to prescribe them, especially with their low level of efficacy. According to Health.com, a 2007 brain imaging study on fibromyalgia patients demonstrated that opioid receptor sites were already occupied in fibromyalgia patients, possibly due to the body producing natural opioid pain relievers. The researchers hypothesized that this is likely the cause of the poor success that opioid narcotics have in treating fibromyalgia.
Anti-convulsants
Besides Lyrica, which has anti-seizure properties, many other anticonvulsant medications treat chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia. Anticonvulsant medications help reduce the excessive firing of hyperactive neurons and thereby reduce pain and other symptoms.
