Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) can be debilitating. Characterized by widespread joint and muscle pain as well as fatigue and other symptoms, FMS is commonly misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Many people with FMS suffer from depression and other isolating illnesses.

Women are 10 time more likely than men to get FMS and it's the most common musculoskeletal condition following osteoarthritis. Fibromyalgia Syndrome is usually triggered by a traumatic event such as a car accident, physical trauma, significant psychological stress, or surgery. It is believed that FMS amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.

Fibromyalgia Symtoms Include:

Chronic muscle pain, tightness, and muscle spasms.

Decreased energy, and moderate to severe fatigue.

Jaw and facial tenderness.

Migraine and tension headaches.

Insomnia or waking feeling like you have not had enough sleep.

Stiffness upon waking, or after sitting or standing in one position for too long.

"Fibro fog" which can include difficulty concentrating or remembering.

Numbness in arms, hands, legs, feet. or face.

Hypersensitivity to cold and/or heat

Irritable bowel syndrome

Depression and/or Anxiety

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

There is only one blood test that detects Fibromyalgia Syndrome. It is called FM/a and it identifies markers produced by immune system blood cells in people with Fibromyalgia. For right now that test costs $700 and it is not covered by insurance. The criteria outlined by the American College of Rheumatology for FMS says that you must have widespread pain on both sides of your body, both above and below your waist and in your neck, chest, mid and lower back for at least three months. The traditional way to check for Fibromyalgia was by pressing on the 18 possible tender points on the body. If eleven of the eighteen points are tender then a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia was usually given. Your doctor may order some blood tests to rule out things such as Celiac Disease or Thyroid issues. They can also rule out more serious diseases such as Lyme disease and Lupus.

Standard Treatment for FMS

While there is no cure for Fibromyalgia, there is a lot that can be done to help ease some of the symptoms. This may include both over the counter and prescription medication, moderate exercise, alternative therapies, counselling and many others.

Over the Counter Medication for FMS

There are so many OTC drugs that can help ease many of the symptoms of FMS that I could not name all of them here. But some that are commonly recommended are:

Vitamin D - can help with fatigue

Magnesium and Calcium - can help relax and maintain nerves and muscles

Turmeric and Ginger - both have anti inflammatory properties

D-Ribose - can energy level, sleep, mental clarity, pain intensity, and well-being

Fibro Response - has many of the vitamins and mineral that help with multiple symptoms of FMS

Melatonin - helps with sleep

NSAID's - can help relieve pain, but are not recommended, see What Are Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)?

Prescription Medications used to treat FMS

The FDA has approved Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella to treat the symptoms of FMS. Lyrica is used to treat nerve pain and can help ease the pain of FMS. Cymbalta and Savella are in a class of drugs known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), they can help with pain, sleep and depression that is common in people with Fibromyalgia. Other drugs that help with depression are Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. Other pain relieving drugs are Flexeril and Ultram.

Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia

There are many alternative therapies out there that can help with FMS. Massage can help ease muscle pain and relieve stiffness.

Moderate aerobic exercise like walking and swimming are recommended by The American Pain Society. They also recommend acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, and hypnosis for pain relief. Yoga can be a gentle way to get in some exercise. Meditation is also something that you can do to help ease stress. A hot bath or Hot Tub can help relax tight muscles. Another thing to remember is to take it easy and to not push yourself too hard. Overdoing it can actually make FMS worse and take several days to weeks to recover from.

There is no one treatment plan that works every time for everyone with Fibromyalgia. You may have to try many things to see what works for you and your pain. The important thing is to keep trying different solutions and log what you are trying along with what does and does not work.