Guidelines on Fibromyalgia Treatment

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that is often diagnosed after other illnesses are ruled out. There are treatments available for the condition but most of the medications used are off-label, meaning the drugs are used for other conditions but found to be helpful for fibromyalgia. There are common guidelines when it comes to treating the condition.

Main Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

There are common symptoms with fibromyalgia that appear to be experienced to some degree by sufferers though the severity is often different for everyone. These include:

• Widespread pain – can feel like
  it is radiating from muscles or joints


• Fatigue


• Problems with sleeping or not
  feeling refreshed upon waking


• Morning stiffness

Common Treatment Guidelines for Fibromyalgia

Some people experience mild fibromyalgia symptoms while others are affected to the point they can no longer work. Therefore, while the guidelines for treating fibromyalgia are similar the extent of medications used may vary depending on the person and the symptomatology. Treatment guidelines include:

• Antidepressants that help balance
  the seratonin levels in the brain, which helps to reduce depression
  and can help break the cycle of pain in some people.


• Sleep medication such as
  amitriptyline to help the patient sleep through the night, which
  will help with daytime fatigue.


• Pain medication or muscle
  relaxants if the patient is suffering from either.


• Exercise and stretching the
  muscles is extremely important for fibromyalgia patients. Your
  doctor can work with you on a plan to help keep the muscles
  flexible, which appears to help each the pain experienced by the
  illness.