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.
Fibromyalgia is associated with low levels of many vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins like vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium, selenium, and zinc. Many people are also deficient in vitamins A, C, E, and K. Many dietitians recommend getting all your vitamins and minerals through your diet.
Magnesium deficiency has been largely associated with muscle pain along with fatigue, sleep difficulties, and anxiety; all of which are common symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) may be helpful. Opioid medications are not recommended, because they can lead to significant side effects and dependence and will worsen the pain over time.
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.
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.
The RDA for magnesium is 400mg. If this amount helps any of your symptoms, then you may be helped by taking more than that. Magnesium is often better absorbed when taken with food. Also, you can absorb more magnesium, if you take it in small doses, such as some with each meal.
Play mind games. Biofeedback, deep breathing, meditation, self-hypnosis, or even just distracting yourself with a good book or some soothing music can help take your mind off the pain and make coping with a flare more manageable, say experts at the National Fibromyalgia Association.
The study involved 20 patients with Fibromyalgia who received MSCs. The researchers found that MSCs could reduce inflammation and improve the patient's immune system function. These studies suggest that stem cell therapy may be a promising treatment option for Fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia was formerly classified as an inflammatory musculoskeletal disease but is now considered to be an illness that primarily affects the central nervous system.
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.
Choose Dark, Leafy Greens, Nuts, and Seeds for Magnesium
Magnesium is found in many healthy foods, including legumes (dried beans and lentils), nuts and seeds, avocado, yogurt, bananas, fatty fish, dark chocolate, and dark, leafy greens.
Doctors often prescribe other types of medications to treat fibromyalgia symptoms such as pain and fatigue, including: Analgesics, including tramadol (Ultracet, Ultram) Muscle relaxants, such as cylobenzaprine (Cycloflex, Flexeril) Fatigue medications, such as modafinil (Provigil)
Three supplements – B vitamins, magnesium and D-ribose – can help your body gain lost vitality. “Making sure you have adequate levels of these nutrients can provide a significant boost in energy,” Dr. Teitelbaum says.
The two main SNRI drugs for fibromyalgia are duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella).
Fibromyalgia is a complicated condition. It has no specific causes and no known cure. Yet for those who have it -- as many as one in 50 Americans -- the chronic pain, fatigue, and psychological strain of fibromyalgia are all too clear. Fibromyalgia symptoms are treatable, however.
Other researchers believe fibromyalgia is caused by a lack of deep sleep. It is during stage 4 sleep that muscles recover from the prior day's activity, and the body refreshes itself. Sleep studies show that as people with fibromyalgia enter stage 4 sleep, they become more aroused and stay in a lighter form of sleep.
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.
There are other herbs and natural supplements that people say have helped manage fibromyalgia symptoms. They include echinacea, black cohosh, cayenne, lavender, milk thistle, and B vitamins.
With incredible anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is often used as a supplement for fibromyalgia sufferers to alleviate muscle pain and inflammation – without some of the common side effects reported from traditional medicines.
Like the bacteria that already exists in the gut, probiotics can be helpful in counteracting harmful bacteria. Probiotic supplements may address several health problems that often occur in fibromyalgia, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), vaginal yeast infections, depression, and anxiety.