exercise – evidence has shown that regular exercise improves symptoms of fibromyalgia such as pain, fatigue and quality of sleep. There is no one form of exercise that is better than another, but you'll need to choose something that you enjoy so you'll keep doing it.
Some proven stress busters are yoga, exercise, sleep, and meditation. Breathing deeply and exhaling slowly can also help. Or keep in mind activities that you enjoy or that make you feel better. When stress strikes, do one or two of them.
Stress. It's one of the most common triggers of flare-ups. While you can't get rid of all stress from your life, you can limit it.
Reducing stress and relaxing
People may benefit from trying to avoid or limit exposure to stressful situations and making time to relax. While techniques such as meditation or deep breathing may help manage stress , it is important that people with fibromyalgia do not avoid physical activity altogether.
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.
some people with fibromyalgia report alcohol causes symptoms to flare. Drinking alcohol while taking certain medications prescribed for fibromyalgia—such as anti-convulsants, antidepressants, and acetaminophen (an ingredient in many medications) could cause harmful interactions.
Drinking water can indeed help with managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Dehydration can lead to increased pain and fatigue, common symptoms of fibromyalgia. By staying hydrated, you can help prevent these symptoms from worsening. “Staying well-hydrated is a key part of managing fibromyalgia symptoms.
The drugs amitriptyline, duloxetine, milnacipran and pregabalin can relieve fibromyalgia pain in some people. They may cause side effects such as a dry mouth or nausea. Normal painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (paracetamol) aren't recommended for the treatment of 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; ...
In some cases, the doctor may recommend a multivitamin that includes antioxidant vitamins A, C, D, E, and the B vitamins, as well as calcium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc to ease symptoms. Coenzyme Q10. This antioxidant, used to convert food into energy, has shown some promise in treating fibromyalgia symptoms.
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.
Nature of the pain: Words commonly used to describe fibromyalgia pain include aching, dull, numbing, burning, tingling, pins-and-needles, throbbing, pounding, shooting, sharp, stabbing, blinding, knife-like, needle-like, and others.
Fibromyalgia was formerly classified as an inflammatory musculoskeletal disease but is now considered to be an illness that primarily affects the central nervous system.
The central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) transmits information all over your body through a network of specialised cells. Changes in the way this system works may explain why fibromyalgia results in constant feelings of, and extreme sensitivity to, pain.
Poor sleep quality
Fibromyalgia can affect your sleep. You may often wake up tired, even when you have had plenty of sleep. This is because the condition can sometimes prevent you sleeping deeply enough to refresh you properly. You may hear this described as non-restorative sleep.
Some have found real help from acupuncture, learning Tai Chi, or taking yoga classes. You may also need to take medicine to help you sleep and relieve your pain. Medicines that are commonly prescribed for fibromyalgia include antidepressants, antiseizure medications, pain relievers, and sleep aids.
The pain may get worse with activity, cold or damp weather, anxiety, and stress. This condition is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 50. It is most common in middle-aged women.
Who gets fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia affects as many as 4 million Americans 18 and older. The average age range at which fibromyalgia is diagnosed is 35 to 45 years old, but most people have had symptoms, including chronic pain, that started much earlier in life.
Not all neurologists are embracing fibromyalgia, however. "It's a difficult condition to take care of. The patients have chronic pain, they call a lot, and they tend to have a lot of comorbidities," says Dr. Kissel.
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.
The FM/a ® Test analyzes your immune system's white blood cells for their chemokine and cytokine protein patterns. Those who suffer from fibromyalgia will show an abnormal pattern of these protective proteins.
Some flares only last for a day or two but others may continue for several weeks or even months. The best way to prevent fibromyalgia flares is to identify what causes them and, when possible, try to avoid the circumstances that trigger them.
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.
Fruits and vegetables
Bananas can help boost energy levels, as they are high in carbohydrates, vitamin B6 and potassium. Non-citrus fruits such as pineapple, papaya and guava contain enzymes that are beneficial to the gut. Dried fruit, seeds and beans are rich in magnesium and help the body use calcium properly.
The key is to use the correct forms of magnesium. The best is magnesium taurate or magnesium malate for fibromyalgia. These typically offer the most efficient absorption. Magnesium citrate, which is the most commonly found is a good laxative but not for maximum absorption.