About Medical Fibromyalgia Treatment

Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes pain and stiffness of the joints, muscles and tendons. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown and women ages 35 to 55 are the most likely candidates of this disease. Symptoms include sleep disorders, fatigue, headaches, anxiety, depression and problems of the bowel. Medical fibromyalgia treatment includes several types of medications to control the symptoms of this chronic disease.

Approved Medications

There are only three medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia. Doctors prescribe Lyrica to decrease pain signals from damaged nerves. Cymbalta is a depression medication and a pain reliever. Savella treats fibromyalgia by increasing the amount of natural substances in the body that stop pain signals from reaching the brain. 

Other Medications

Antidepressants prescribed in low doses helps fibromyalgia patients control depression by increasing the natural substances in the brain needed for mental stability. These medications include Elavil, Sinequan, Prozac and Trazadone. The anxiety medication, Ativan, slows brain activity, promotes relaxation and relieves anxiety. Neurontin is an epilepsy medication commonly used for fibromyalgia patients to decrease brain stimulation. Flexeril is a muscle relaxant that reduces pain and improves sleep. Mirapex is normally used to treat Parkinson’s disease, but it is also frequently prescribed to fibromyalgia patients to replicate a natural substance in the brain that controls body movement. The pain reliever Tramadol relieves moderate to severe chronic pain by altering the pain sensors of the body. 

Injections

Injections of a corticosteroid are another form of medical fibromyalgia treatment. These injections are given in the soft tissues or joints to help reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief. Corticosteroids work by imitating the cortisol hormone that is generated by the adrenal glands.