Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which research suggests may offer several health benefits that could help alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella) may help ease the pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. Your doctor may prescribe amitriptyline or the muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine to help promote sleep. Anti-seizure drugs.
Well-known for supporting bone strength and bone health, vitamin D is also being studied for its use in treating other conditions, including fibromyalgia. Some studies have shown that people with fibromyalgia who have low vitamin D levels will have less pain when using a vitamin D supplement.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are available without a prescription. These medications may be more effective in relieving pain when combined with other medications used to manage fibromyalgia.
Regular physical activity can often improve symptoms of fibromyalgia. Although exercise may increase pain at first, it may help prevent pain over time. Activities that may help people with fibromyalgia include walking, biking, swimming, and water aerobics.
Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers include: a serious injury, such as after a car accident. an infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus or Lyme disease.
Fibromyalgia tends to run in families, so genetic factors are likely to contribute to the disorder, but little is known for sure about the specific genes involved. Researchers believe that environmental (nongenetic) factors also play a role in a person's risk of developing the disorder.
Caffeine, heavy meals, and alcohol should be avoided before bedtime. Individuals should go to bed around the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, even on weekends or after a sleepless night. Exposure to light should be minimized before bedtime.
Magnesium
Not only is it credited with keeping the heart, kidneys and bones strong, it also helps us avoid muscle spasms, weakness and back pain, Dr. Teitelbaum says. Women with fibromyalgia may be deficient in magnesium, studies suggest. And magnesium may help relieve fibro pain and other symptoms.
A group of foods classified as omega-3 fatty acids have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Cold-water fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna, bass, and swordfish are good sources of omega-3s. Dark green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and broccoli are also good options. Eat more fiber.
To cite one of the better-designed studies, Bagis and colleagues reported that women with fibromyalgia had lower magnesium levels than healthy women and that their fibromyalgia symptoms—pain and tenderness in particular—improved when they were given 300 mg of magnesium citrate daily.
Although large-scale studies are still needed to confirm their effectiveness, the newest FDA-approved treatments for fibromyalgia include Quell and milnacipran. Quell is an over-the-counter transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator intended to be used for pain relief.
Research has uncovered evidence that FM is an autoimmune disease. Neuroinflammation and small-fiber neuropathy appear to be important elements of it.
Sleeping on your back is often the most recommended sleeping position, and this position can be very comfortable for people with fibromyalgia. Back sleepers will want a firmer mattress and a thinner pillow to support proper alignment.
The most helpful treatment approach for fibromyalgia is a combination of self-care, physical activity and cognitive-behavioral therapy. But medication may also be needed. Many drugs prescribed for fibromyalgia work to turn down “pain volume” in the central nervous system (CNS).
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 (RA), you are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
Results: There were four parent stages of FM identified and labeled: 1) regional FM with classic symptoms; 2) generalized FM with increasing widespread pain and some additional symptoms; 3) FM with advanced and associated conditions, increasing widespread pain, increased sleep disturbances, and chemical sensitivity; ...
Flare-ups of mild to severe pain come on suddenly and may feel like aching, throbbing, burning, or stabbing. The pain may be present in multiple tender points throughout the body, often affecting the lower back and legs.
There's no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are treatments to control your symptoms. Your doctor will probably start you on an exercise regimen and have you work with a physical therapist. Some have found real help from acupuncture, learning Tai Chi, or taking yoga classes.
Smell and Sound Sensitivity
Sometimes, they may also experience light sensitivity. Fibromyalgia causes an extreme response to external stimuli, which include sound, smell, and light. As such, you may experience headaches, dizziness, or nausea when exposed to stimuli that cause a sensory overload.