Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Best Treatment For Fibromyalgia Fatigue

Must Read

Top Supplements For Fibromyalgia

Best Treatment For Fibromyalgia | Causes Of Fibromaylgia Symptoms

1. Magnesium Citrate

Fibromyalgia has been linked to magnesium deficiency and research shows that magnesium supplements may help to reduce troublesome symptoms, including pain. According to a study published in the journal Rheumatology International,women given 300 milligrams of magnesium citrate daily for eight weeks experienced improvement in the number of tender points, tender point index, FIQ and Beck depression scores.

In addition to pain relief, magnesium supplements may also dramatically improve insomnia, sleep time, sleep latency and sleep efficiency according to a study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. In this double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, participants were given 500 milligrams of magnesium or a placebo daily for eight weeks. As sleep problems are common for those with fibromyalgia, a high-quality supplement and boosting intake of magnesium-rich foods should be a top priority and can help as a natural fibromyalgia treatment.

Fortunately, there are plenty of low-FODMAP foods that are also rich with magnesium. Add cooked spinach, bananas and pumpkin seeds to your diet to boost this essential mineral that may help relieve both pain and sleep problems for those with fibromyalgia.

2. Fish Oil

3. Vitamin D3

4. D-Ribose

5. Ashwagandha

6. Turmeric

Create A Relaxing Bedtime Routine

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

What To Do For Fibromyalgia Pain

In addition to treatments from medical professionals, there are a few things you can do in your daily life to manage your symptoms. Tips for fibromyalgia relief include regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, improving your posture, and getting a good nights sleep. Daily practice is vital to reduce fibromyalgia pain and prevent flareups.

Regular Exercise

Healthy Diet

A nutritious, balanced diet is key to managing fibromyalgia. It keeps you at a healthy weight to minimize strain on the muscles and tendons. Eating the right foods and avoiding others can also help reduce symptoms of the condition. The key to a healthy diet is to eat nutritionally balanced meals. The easiest way to do this is to consider the Healthy Eating Pyramid by Harvard University. The Pyramid notes a few essential things to remember:

  • The majority of your daily intake should be whole grains , healthy oils , and fruits and vegetables.
  • A moderate daily serving of healthy proteins like chicken, fish, nuts, beans, or tofu.
  • A moderate daily serving of dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese
  • Only consume red or processed meat, refined grains , and sweetened products on an occasional, moderate basis.
  • Drink mainly water each day.
Foods to Eat to Reduce Symptoms

In addition to an all-around healthy diet, some foods, in particular, can help reduce some symptoms. These include:

Foods to Avoid to Reduce Symptoms

Posture

Good Night’s Sleep

Don’t Miss: What Causes Chronic Fatigue And Weakness

Get The Right Fibromyalgia Treatment

The right treatment for you hinges on an accurate diagnosis. Your primary care doctor may know whether your symptoms add up to fibromyalgia. However, a rheumatologista doctor who specializes in autoimmune conditions and disorders of the bones, joints, and musclesis most familiar with fibromyalgia.

Fibro symptoms can mirror those of other conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. You can also have fibromyalgia in addition to these conditions. In order to effectively treat your fibro symptoms, your doctor must make sure other illnesses are ruled out or addressed.

Then, they can coordinate a fibro treatment plan. This may involve other specialists, like a physiatrist or a psychologist. A well-rounded treatment plan should include a mix of medical interventions and self-care approaches.

Fibromyalgia is often treated with medication or a combination of medications. What works best for you will depend on your symptoms, overall health, and personal preference .

Fibromyalgia treatment usually starts–but rarely ends–with medication.

Currently, there are three medications approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration specifically for fibro:

  • Pregabalin , approved in 2007
  • Duloxetine , approved in 2008
  • Milnacipran , approved in 2009

Fibro meds generally fall under these categories:

Anticonvulsants

Antidepressants

Three kinds of antidepressants may relieve both mental and physical symptoms associated with fibro, such as pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

Painkillers

Medication To Help You Sleep

Best Fibromyalgia Apps of 2019

As fibromyalgia can affect your sleeping patterns, you may want medicine to help you sleep.

If you’re sleeping better, you may find that other symptoms are not as severe.

Speak to your GP if you think you could benefit from a medicine like this.

They may recommend an over-the-counter remedy, or prescribe a short course of a stronger medication.

Some antidepressants may also improve your sleep quality.

Read more about treating insomnia for information on good sleeping techniques and medicines to help you sleep.

You May Like: Best Diet For Chronic Fatigue

What New Treatments Are In Development

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.

How Does Fibromyalgia Affect Pregnancy

Many women with fibromyalgia have no problems getting pregnant, and some women report that their symptoms get better during pregnancy.

But, for some women, fibromyalgia can cause problems during pregnancy. Your symptoms may flare or get worse, especially in the first few months of pregnancy. Also, some normal pregnancy complaints, such as fatigue, stress, and mood swings caused by changing hormones, may be worse for women with fibromyalgia.

Talk to your doctor about any medicines you take to treat fibromyalgia, as they may cause other health problems for you or your unborn baby.

Read Also: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Home Remedies

Summary Of Fibromyalgia: Best Treatment For Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized primarily by pain throughout the body, durable, variable, and diffuse, including joint and muscle, usually accompanied by severe fatigue and sleep disorders. This little-known pathology has long been poorly considered. Read more about the best treatment for fibromyalgia.

For those affected, mainly women, it has a strong impact on daily life but it is possible to relieve the symptoms, to learn to live with it. Its management is multidisciplinary, the objective being the management of pain and fatigue with a view to resuming activity.

One of the main challenges with fibromyalgia is that it is not explainable by an anatomical or physiological anomaly. It is therefore a functional disorder without a clearly established cause. But research progresses and discovers elements of explanation. Read more about the best treatment for fibromyalgia.

Find out on Pharma GDD what fibromyalgia is, how to diagnose it, and how to treat it.

What Is The Outcome In Fibromyalgia

Effective Treatment of Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia can last a short or a long time. It can make life extremely tough, but it does not shorten your life. In some cases, symptoms ease or go after a few months. However, in many cases it is a persistent condition which tends to wax and wane in severity, with a severe effect on your quality of life.

You May Like: How Long Does Fatigue Last After A Concussion

Treatment For Fibromyalgia: The Big Picture

Theres not necessarily a straightforward or universal way to treat fibromyalgia, as the condition affects each patient differently and many fibro patients are also managing other co-occurring diseases at the same time, such as different kinds of arthritis. Many treatment options are available to address fibromyalgias various symptoms, so treatment for fibromyalgia should be multifactorial, individualized, and based on what specific issues and symptoms are affecting you most.

Not everyone gets the same fibromyalgia treatment, says Dr. Hackshaw. We figure it out based on the symptoms that are most concerning for that patient. He adds that doctors aim to use medications that treat multiple symptoms instead of prescribing multiple medications. The key is that you need to find your magic combination that works for you, says Stackelhouse.

How To Fight Fibromyalgia Fatigue

Besides pain, anxiety and mental fog, fibromyalgia patients may also suffer from chronic fatigue symptoms. But natural remedies can go a long way toward restoring lost energy. Heres an expert guide to what really works for fibromyalgia fatigue…On bad days, Holly Scott can barely drag herself out of bed, shuffle to the couch and sit down. Ordinary activities seem virtually impossible.When my fibromyalgia flares up, I miss my daughters soccer games and dance recitals, says the 39-year-old Tucson mother of two. Im too tired even to sit through a movie with my husband. Scotts exhaustion is typical of fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread muscle pain and tenderness, and can often bring about debilitating fatigue.Thats the result of the body trying to fight chronic pain both physically and mentally, says Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of From Fatigued to Fantastic! and a leading expert on both fibromyalgia support and chronic fatigue. After a flare-up, women with fibromyalgia find themselves with lagging energy levels because theyve spent a great deal of battling the depression and emotional anguish associated with the disease, Dr. Teitelbaum says.

For optimum fibromyalgia support, meditate at least once a day for a minimum of 10 minutes, Dr. Yee suggests.Build up to twice a day: once in the morning and once at night.Heres how to get started:

Also Check: Best Anti Fatigue Mat For Garage

Fibromyalgia In The Context Of Other Central Pain Syndromes

Clinical practitioners commonly see patients with pain and other somatic symptoms that they cannot adequately explain based on the degree of damage or inflammation noted in peripheral tissues. In fact, pain may be amongst the most common ailments that individuals seek medical attention for . Typically, an evaluation is performed looking for a cause for the pain. If none is found, these individuals are often given a diagnostic label that merely connotes that the patient has chronic pain in a region of the body, without an underlying mechanistic cause . In other cases, the label given alludes to an underlying mechanism that may or may not be responsible for the individuals pain .

Fibromyalgia is merely the current term for individuals with chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, for which no alternative cause can be identified. Gastroenterologists often see the exact same patients and focus on their gastroenterological complaints, and often use the terms functional GI disorder, irritable bowel syndrome , nonulcer dyspepsia, or esophageal dysmotility to explain the patients symptoms . Neurologists see these patients for their headaches and/or unexplained facial pain, urologists for pelvic pain and urinary symptoms , dentists for TMD, and so on. These syndromes may have a common underlying pathology.

Until recently these unexplained pain syndromes perplexed researchers, clinicians, and patients. However, it is now clear that:

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor

Fibromyalgia Treatment: Medications, Exercise, Diet, and More

If you have fibromyalgia, you may want to ask your healthcare provider:

  • Why did I get fibromyalgia?
  • Am I at risk for other conditions?
  • What is the best treatment for me?
  • What lifestyle changes can I make to manage symptoms?
  • Are other family members at risk for fibromyalgia? How can they lower this risk?
  • Should I look out for signs of complications?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Fibromyalgia symptoms chronic fatigue and all-over body pain can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. Self-care, such as exercise, a healthy diet, improved sleep and stress relief, can help you enjoy a better quality of life. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best ways to make these changes. Your provider can also recommend medications to manage symptoms.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/01/2020.

References

Also Check: What Causes Adrenal Fatigue And How To Fix It

Is It Hard To Diagnose Fibromyalgia

Unfortunately, it can take years for some people who have fibromyalgia to get a correct diagnosis. This can happen for many reasons. The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are pain and fatigue. These are also common symptoms of many other health problems, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, hypothyroidism, and arthritis.

Currently, there is no laboratory test or X-ray that can diagnose fibromyalgia.

It may take some time for your doctor to understand all of your symptoms and rule out other health problems so he or she can make an accurate diagnosis. As part of this process, your family doctor may consult with a rheumatologist. This type of doctor specializes in pain in the joints and soft tissue.

How To Treat Fibromyalgia

As the cause of the pain is unknown, there is no specific treatment. The management of fibromyalgia requires a multidisciplinary approach. The management of fibromyalgia can be classified into two broad categories: those based on drugs, and those not involving drugs.

The goal of these treatments is to relieve symptoms treat fatigue and reduce pain reduce their impact on daily life and initiate a personalized return to physical activity. Regular monitoring will allow these treatments to be re-evaluated.

Read Also: Fatigue Muscle Weakness Joint Pain

Will I Still Be Able To Work With Fibromyalgia

Usually. Most people with fibromyalgia continue to work, but you may have to make changes to do so. You can cut down the number of hours you work, switch to a less demanding job, or adapt a current job. If you face challenges at work, an occupational therapist can help you design a more comfortable workstation or find more efficient and less painful ways to do your job. A number of federal laws protect your rights.

However, if you cannot work because of your fibromyalgia, you may qualify for disability benefits through your employer or the Social Security Administration.

Medications Evaluated In Our Analysis

Effective Treatment of Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia
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 persons 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.

You May Like: How To Keep Anti Fatigue Mats From Sliding

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

Which Drugs Are Used To Treat It

We focus on 10 of the most commonly used medications to treat fibromyalgia. We review the evidence on how the medications compare to each other in their ability to relieve symptoms and the side effects they can cause. Our review is based on a comprehensive expert analysis of the medical evidence available on medications used to treat fibromyalgia.

Recommended Reading: What Does Ms Fatigue Feel Like

Tricyclic Medications: Amitriptyline Cyclobenzaprine And Nortriptyline

In general, people with fibromyalgia who take tricyclic medications experience a greater reduction in pain than those taking no medication.

Amitriptyline is the most well studied of the tricyclics, yet it is not clear exactly how many patients with fibromyalgia experienced meaningful pain relief from taking it. The best estimate is that one of every four patients benefit from it. On average, people with fibromyalgia who took amitriptyline reported that their pain improved by almost two points on a 10-point scale compared to those who took a placebo. Studies that have taken into account factors such as how fibromyalgia was diagnosed and the form of amitriptyline used have not found the same benefit, so our confidence in this result is low. There is not enough evidence to say how well amitriptyline compares to placebo on other outcomes, including fatigue and function.

The use of nortriptyline in fibromyalgia patients has been studied in a single trial, but the results were inconclusive, partially because a low dose of the drug was used.

Side effects of the tricyclic antidepressants can include dizziness, dry mouth, gait disturbances, sedation and stomach upset. More serious side effects include heart arrhythmias and seizures, but those were not reported in patients taking these medications for fibromyalgia.

In the low doses commonly used for fibromyalgia, side effects appear minimal and do not usually seem to cause people to stop using the medication.

More articles

Popular Articles