A few ways to manage your fibromyalgia

Like many people, you likely found it a relief to receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM), often after years of visiting doctors. So what should you do now that you know? Here's some information to help manage your condition.

Like many people, you might actually be relieved to receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM): sometimes finding an explanation for fibromyalgia symptoms, takes years and visiting numerous doctors. Even so, fibromyalgia can still be problematic. Here's some more information and a few tips for managing your fibromyalgia.

Since there is no known cause for FM, treatment is aimed at easing its symptoms, which is not an easy task.

For example:

• Drugs that work well at relieving pain associated with many types of arthritic problems — ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — are ineffective against the pain of fibromyalgia.
• The difficulty in finding effective treatments often only adds to the frustration that many FM patients experience.
• Applying topical treatments seems to work well only for select people with FM, as does massage therapy and acupuncture.

The upside for people with FM is that it doesn't involve damage to the joints.

• Even though you may hurt all over and feel exhausted, FM usually won't render you completely ineffectual at life's daily tasks.

On the other hand, FM tends to linger — sometimes for life – although the severity of the pain and fatigue may ebb and flow over the years.

• One of the keys to coping with FM is overcoming the sleep disturbances that contribute to FM's sometimes disabling fatigue.

Although no single treatment has proven universally effective against FM, physicians who have cared for FM patients agree that aerobic exercise should be a part of any treatment program.

• Aerobic exercise improves sleep — almost always poor among FM patients — and better sleep helps relieve FM's extreme fatigue.
• In addition, studies show that aerobic exercise helps to ease muscle pain and tenderness in FM patients.

Many fibromyalgia patients find that a combination of different treatments is the best route to relief for their symptoms. Other possible treatments include:

Go with prescription meds

• Low dose of antidepressants, as well as NSAIDs and topical treatments are the established medicines for treating FM.

Eat several small meals during the day

• This helps to maintain a steady supply of protein and carbohydrate for proper muscle function.

Take hot baths or showers

• Especially in the morning, this can soothe soreness, increase circulation and relieve stiffness.

Find a massage therapist familiar with fibromyalgia

• A massage technique called trigger-point therapy can be extremely helpful in reducing pain.

Eliminate certain foods

• Cutting back on caffeine, alcohol and sugar, all of which often cause fatigue.

Get lots of rest

• Getting at least eight hours of sleep a night helps a lot.