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Best Medication For Fibromyalgia Fatigue

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Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Best Treatment For Fibromyalgia | Causes Of Fibromaylgia Symptoms

Although experts have not yet found a cure for CFS/ME, many people who have the illness are able to make lifestyle changes and find treatments that allow them to reduce or manage their symptoms. Improvement is possible by living within your limits and working with a doctor to find treatments that help you. There are also many CFS/ME support groups both online and in-person. Meeting with such a group might prove to be helpful.

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People with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome can have dozens of symptoms, including severe pain thats treatment-resistant. It often takes a combination of several medications to make us feel substantially better. Because each medication carries its own risk, and those risks can increase when taken with other drugs, it pays to know your medications well.

Opiate drugs, also known as opioids or narcotics, are designed to treat pain. Theyre often prescribed for chronic pain conditions, including FMS and ME/CFS.

Opiates work by mimicking a pain-relieving chemical your body makes naturally, called an opioid peptide. Like their natural counterparts, opiate drugs bind to specific receptors in your brain and spinal cord and activate your pain-relief system.

The Basics Of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complicated condition thats not widely understood by most medical professionals. Its tricky to diagnose because its a collection of symptoms rather than a single disease and the symptoms can be warning signs of other medical issues. Thats why its important to see a fibromyalgia specialist like Dr. Lopez who can correctly diagnose your symptoms.

The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia besides chronic, widespread, or localized pain are:

  • Chronic and severe fatigue
  • Tenderness on certain points on your body
  • New or worsening anxiety or depression

Fibromyalgia takes its toll on both your physical and psychological health and can be accompanied by secondary conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, severe headaches and migraines, and neurological disorders.

Nailing down an exact cause of fibromyalgia is a difficult task, but there are a few common sources of your pain.

Fibromyalgia typically stems from a malfunction in the way your brain processes your bodys pain signals. Your brain receives messages all day long from the different chemicals and neurons throughout your body. When your brain misreads those pain signals, you wind up feeling chronic pain and fatigue.

Symptoms usually appear after a significant physical trauma, surgery, infection, or period of psychological stress. Sometimes your fibromyalgia pain is a result of genetics and sometimes theres no known cause at all.

The Universal Guide To Fibromyalgia Treatmenteverything You Ever Wanted To Know Straight From The Experts

Maybe youve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Or maybe you think you might have it. All you know is, everything hurts, from the base of your skull all the way down to your knees. Youre exhaustedseemingly all the time. And for weeks, its been hard to focus on even simple tasks.

Fibromyalgia is a mysterious disorder, but there are many treatment options available to help reduce your symptoms. Photo Source: 123RF.com.

Sure, itd be great to pop a pill that makes your illness go away. But thats not in the cards for someone with fibromyalgia. Because symptoms vary widely and affect both mind and body, a single treatment wont work to address everything. Instead, the best approach is a combination of therapies.

This may look different from one person to another, says Alison Vargovich, PhD, a licensed psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Behavioral Medicine at the University at Buffalo in New York. The goal of all fibro treatments, she explains, is to help the patient achieve as much relief as possible and improve their quality of life. For some people, this could mean dancing at a wedding without pain. For others, it could mean the ability to function again.

The good news: There are many fibromyalgia treatments that can help ease your aches, clear your brain fog , boost your energy, and more.

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Possible Side Effects Of Cortisol Treatment

Also, its important to remember that long-term hormone use carries a wealth of possible side effects, including:

> psychological problems, including depression

> weight gain

Consult your doctor

As always, it is of the utmost importance for any fibromyalgia patient to consult his or her doctor before beginning any new treatment regimen. Because cortisol treatment does require a prescription, you will have to talk to your doctor in order to begin this treatment. Your doctor will help you to weigh all of the pros and cons of this cortisol treatment based upon your personal symptoms and overall health condition.

What Are The Complications Of Fibromyalgia

Fibro Plus Complete Relief for Fibromyalgia, Joint Pain &  Fatigue ...

Fibromyalgia can cause pain, disability, and a lower quality of life. US adults with fibromyalgia may have complications such as:

  • More hospitalizations. If you have fibromyalgia you are twice as likely to be hospitalized as someone without fibromyalgia.
  • Lower quality of life. Women with fibromyalgia may experience a lower quality of life.
  • Higher rates of major depression. Adults with fibromyalgia are more than 3 times more likely to have major depression than adults without fibromyalgia. Screening and treatment for depression are extremely important.
  • Higher death rates from suicide and injuries. Death rates from suicide and injuries are higher among fibromyalgia patients, but overall mortality among adults with fibromyalgia is similar to the general population.
  • Higher rates of other rheumatic conditions. Fibromyalgia often co-occurs with other types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ankylosing spondylitis.

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How Is Fibromyalgia Treated

Fibromyalgia can be effectively treated and managed with medication and self-management strategies. You can learn about self-management strategies in the section below titled How can I improve my quality of life?

Fibromyalgia should be treated by a doctor or team of healthcare professionals who specialize in the treatment of fibromyalgia and other types of arthritis, called rheumatologists. Doctors usually treat fibromyalgia with a combination of treatments, which may include:

  • Medications, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter pain relievers
  • Aerobic exercise and muscle strengthening exercise
  • Patient education classes, usually in primary care or community settings
  • Stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and massage
  • Good sleep habits to improve the quality of sleep
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy to treat underlying depression. CBT is a type of talk therapy meant to change the way people act or think

In addition to medical treatment, people can manage their fibromyalgia with the self-management strategies described below, which are proven to reduce pain and disability, so they can pursue the activities important to them.

Who Is At Risk For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Because the cause of CFS is not known, its hard to know what might put someone at risk for getting the condition. However, certain factors are seen more often in people with CFS. These factors include:

  • Gender. CFS happens up to 4 times more often in women than in men.
  • Age. CFS commonly affects middle-aged people, but people of any age can get it.

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What Are The Risk Factors For Fibromyalgia

Known risk factors include:

  • Age. Fibromyalgia can affect people of all ages, including children. However, most people are diagnosed during middle age and you are more likely to have fibromyalgia as you get older.
  • Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis , you are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.

Some other factors have been weakly associated with the onset of fibromyalgia, but more research is needed to see if they are real. These possible risk factors include:

  • Sex. Women are twice as likely to have fibromyalgia as men.
  • Stressful or traumatic events, such as car accidents, post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Repetitive injuries. Injury from repetitive stress on a joint, such as frequent knee bending.

What New Treatments Are In Development

Effective Treatment of Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia

Clinical trials are crucial to developing new treatments and drugs for certain conditions. Participating in clinical trials provides invaluable information to researchers who are learning more about FM and chronic pain. Visit Center Watch to find a clinical trial near you, if youre interested in taking part.

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Sodium Oxybate Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Sodium oxybate may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • weak or shallow breathing, breathing that stops for short periods of time

  • sleepwalking, waking and confused behavior at night

  • confusion, paranoia, hallucinations

  • depression, anxiety, unusual or unpleasant thoughts or

  • suicidal thoughts or actions.

Common side effects of sodium oxybate may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Treatment For Chronic Fatigue And Fibromyalgia Interview Explained In Detail

When we look at chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia in the Allopathic world, they fall under the American Academy of Rheumatology. Rheumatologists are the ones that diagnose and treat rheumatic diseases which are considered joint diseases.

These Rheumatologists deal with autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. They have certain criteria, like a checklist. If a person ticks off x number of the criteria, then they qualify to be treated. What are the items on this checklist or the criteria, they are the symptoms, not the actual problem.

These symptoms involve pain, depression, mood issues, and fatigue.

What is the treatment for chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia from Rheumatologists? They are usually symptomatic. They address only the symptoms and do nothing to address the root cause.

What are chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia conditions? They are conditions that have affected the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the part of the cell that produce energy. They are very efficient.

They take one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen and put them together inside the mitochondria and run them through the electron transport and come out with 36 to 38 ATPs which are energy packages. We have to maintain this energy to function optimally.

I think you can start to see how this is all connected and is simply the body malfunctioning because of our diet, our environment, lack of exercise, poor sleep habits, etc.

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Prescription Stimulants For Me/cfs

Some healthcare providers prescribe attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs for their patients with ME/CFS and say they’ve seen positive results. There is a growing body of evidence to back this up, although more research is needed.

These drugs are classified as neurostimulators, which means that they stimulate brain activity. They’re used for ADD/ADHD because, paradoxically, they have a calming effect on ADD/ADHD brains. Given that, it makes more sense that they’d be helpful in a condition defined by fatigue.

The most popular stimulants prescribed for chronic fatigue syndrome include:

  • Ritalin and Concerta, which contain methylphenidate
  • Dexedrine, which contains dextroamphetamine
  • Adderall, which contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine
  • Vyvanse, which contains lisdexamfetamine

How To Treat Chronic Fatigue And Fibromyalgia

The Best CBD For Fibromyalgia In 2022: Creams And Consumables

Having had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia , with the medical system having no idea how to help, I understand what you are going through. I also know you can get well!

I came down with what I call the Drop Dead Flu in 1975 while in medical school, which triggered my CFS/FMS. As I was working to pay my own way through school, the illness left me homeless and sleeping in parks in Oklahoma. It is exciting, though, to see how life magically brings us what we need. I met many natural health practitioners while homeless, each of whom taught me bits and pieces of what I needed to learn to get well. And I did!

After returning to medical school, I have spent the last 30+ years researching and treating chronic fatigue and chronic pain . Our published research shows 91 percent improve using our SHINE Protocol, and hundreds of thousands have been helped. You can be one of them! Lets do it now.

Ready to Get Well?

What Is Causing These Syndromes?

CFS/FMS acts as a circuit breaker, with the hypothalamus decreasing its function to protect the individual in the face of what is perceived to be an overwhelming stress . This center controls sleep, hormones, temperature, blood flow, blood pressure and sweating. In addition, if your muscles do not have enough energy, they will get stuck in the shortened position and youll be in pain . This energy crisis can be caused by any of a number of infections, stresses or injuries.

Other Helpful Resources:

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Getting The Best Treatment For Your Fibromyalgia

Imagine being in pain and none of your doctors can find a clear reason for it. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon experience for many of the four million Americans living with fibromyalgia, a chronic, painful condition.

People with fibromyalgia experience widespread pain, aches, and stiffness in muscles and joints throughout the body, as well as unusual tiredness. No one knows what causes this condition, and no apparent physical cause has been identified thus far. A leading theory is that its due to a brain malfunction that amplifies normal nerve responses causing people with fibromyalgia to experience pain or other symptoms when nothing seemingly triggers them.

For those seeking relief, finding help can sometimes be a challenge. The best way to find a successful treatment strategy is to seek out a doctor who understands fibromyalgia, knows how to treat it, and can help you understand and cope with this condition. Rheumatologists and pain specialists are the experts for this condition, but many primary care doctors diagnose and treat it as well. There are ways that you can improve your chances of finding the right doctor to help you with this condition.

Understand your condition

The first step in this process is to arm yourself with the facts.

  • Significant and widespread pain
  • Severe symptoms present for at least three months
  • No other clear explanation for these symptoms

About the Author

The Problem With Traditional Treatment Models For Fibromyalgia

Unfortunately, the conventional medical model for fibromyalgia treatment does not target the root cause of the disease. Rather, the solution takes a somewhat limited directive of symptomatic treatment. Therefore, often doctors tell patients to manage the symptoms to improve well-being. Thus, they prescribe anti-inflammatory medication for pain, mood enhancement medication to decrease depression , and other options. While these approaches are essential and helpful to maintain stability and overall functional day-to-day status, they do not, however, get at the root causes which are often multifactorial but will generally include the endocrine system, the immune system, nutritional status, etc.

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Laser Therapy And Phototherapy

Low-level laser therapy has been acknowledged as an alternative fibromyalgia therapy, says the review study. Specifically, laser photo-biomodulation therapy has reportedly been effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms.

Evidence suggests the benefits of laser therapy in female fibromyalgia patients. The treatment was designed to improve patients pain outcomes and upper body range of motion.

Create A Relaxing Bedtime Routine

Natural Cure for Fibromyalgia / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fibro fatigue isnt necessarily something that can be fixed with a good nights sleep, but quality sleep can help over time.

A relaxing bedtime routine is an important first step toward getting a good nights rest.

Here are a few tips for a healthy sleep routine:

  • go to bed and get up at the same time every day
  • avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine
  • invest in a good quality mattress
  • keep your bedroom cool and dark
  • turn off screens at least an hour before bedtime
  • keep electronics out of the bedroom
  • avoid having a large meal before bedtime
  • take a warm bath before bed

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Medications Evaluated In Our Analysis

Generic Name
Yes No

Three of the drugs listedduloxetine , milnacipran , and pregabalin are approved by the FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia. While the other drugs are approved for treating conditions associated with fibromyalgia, including depression and pain, they are not specifically approved for fibromyalgia. All of the antidepressant medications studied are FDA-approved for treating depression, with many also having FDA approval for treating pain. The antiepileptic gabapentin is also approved for treating nerve pain, while the muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine is approved for treating muscular pain.

Although none of the 10 medications are approved for treating sleep disorders, some of them cause sedation and are often prescribed “off-label” to help with sleep. The term off-label means that the drug is prescribed to treat a condition other than what it was approved for by the FDA. Doctors can legally prescribe any medication they see fit to treat a person’s condition. It is important to note that although only these three drugs are approved by the FDA specifically for fibromyalgia, the approval process is long and expensive for manufacturing companies, so older drugs that are already approved for other uses might not be taken through this process.

Side Effects And Interactions

You can have side effects to opiates even while taking them as directed. Some side effects are the same as overdose symptoms. Common opiate side effects include:

  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Medications for depression, anxiety or other mental health problems

Again, these may vary by drug.

Its important for you to notify your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all drugs youre taking, including over-the-counter ones, so they can help you avoid dangerous interactions.

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A Note About Sex And Gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms male, female, or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. .

The condition can commonly coexist with autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, but it is not an autoimmune disorder.

Fibromyalgia does not cause joint or muscle inflammation and damage, but it can increase a persons feelings of joint or muscle pain.

Facts about fibromyalgia include the following:

  • Fibromyalgia occurs

Symptoms can appear at any time during a persons life, but they are most common between the ages of 30 and 50.

Fibromyalgia can be difficult for a person to manage alone.

A rheumatologist or other specialist will design a treatment program to help manage the condition. This will typically involve a combination of pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies.

As fibromyalgia is a syndrome, every person will experience a different set of symptoms, and an individual treatment plan will be necessary.

Treatment may include some or all of the following:

  • a low impact exercise program

pain, tenderness, stiffness, and sleep disturbance in some people. Other practices, such as tai chi, yoga, and qi gong, may also prove effective.

If exercise is helping with symptoms, it is important to maintain consistency to see progress.

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