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Know about Some Effective Medications for Fibromyalgia

After osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia is the most common musculoskeletal condition. However, it is a commonly misdiagnosed and misunderstood condition. It includes widespread pain and fatigue in the muscles and joints. There are several ways you can treat fibromyalgia. Read further to know about treatments and medications for fibromyalgia that can tackle this condition best.

Know about Some Effective Medications for Fibromyalgia

  • Initial treatment for fibromyalgia – antidepressants
    The very first medication that doctors try when treating fibromyalgia is antidepressants. This helps in relieving pain, fatigue, and helps induce sleep. In addition to this, it can also help with depression, which is seen amongst patients with fibromyalgia.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants
    For many years Tricyclic Antidepressants have been used to treat fibromyalgia. They include nortriptyline (Pamelor) and amitriptyline and work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in your brain. These neurotransmitters are serotonin and norepinephrine. Most people suffering from fibromyalgia have lower levels of these calming neurotransmitters. The tricyclics can also help relax muscles in pain and increase the effects of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. However, this medication for fibromyalgia sometimes comes with a set of side effects like dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, dry eyes, and also constipation.
  • Other antidepressants for fibromyalgia
    Other than tricyclic antidepressants, there are also other antidepressants which show a positive result in treating fibromyalgia. Some of them are duloxetine, milnacipran, and venlafaxine. Savella and Cymbalta have been specifically approved by FDA to treat fibromyalgia. Different types of antidepressant medications for fibromyalgia work differently in the body. Along with that, some patients also react differently for each of these. They may or may not show results, which is why different types of antidepressants are tried on patients.
  • Pain relievers for fibromyalgia
    There are different types of pain relievers that are recommended to patients to help in easing the deep muscle ache. But pain relievers work in a variety of ways for different people with fibromyalgia.
  • Over-the-counter pain medications for fibromyalgia
    Doctors recommend some pain relievers like acetaminophen for some patients. This elevates the pain threshold in your body, enabling you to perceive less pain.
  • Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
    These medications for fibromyalgia are painkillers, but they don’t work as well when they’re given alone. Instead, NSAIDs can produce great results when taken along with other fibromyalgia medications. They can even be over-the-counter medications like aspirin and ibuprofen. Taking this medication for an extended period, however, must be done with the doctor’s consultation. They can have serious side effects and are not recommended if you have stomach problems. Acetaminophen has relatively lesser side effects, but it is best to avoid it if you have a liver disease. Exceeding the dosage may also adversely affect your liver.
  • Muscle relaxants
    Cyclobenzaprine has been proven to be useful for the treatment of fibromyalgia. It can ease the tension in your muscles and also improve the quality of your sleep. With muscle relaxants, you may experience dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, color change in your urine, etc. Older people sometimes also experience hallucinations and confusion.
  • Anticonvulsants
    Anticonvulsants were initially meant to treat seizures, but are now used in treating fibromyalgia. Lyrica is a type of anticonvulsant which affects the chemicals that transmit pain across the nervous system. It can help reduce pain, fatigue, and also improve your sleep. Neurontin is a medication for seizures, but research has shown that it helps improve symptoms of fibromyalgia.
  • Other medications for fibromyalgia
    Along with the medications for fibromyalgia listed above, the doctor can also prescribe benzodiazepines to help relax muscles, improve sleep, and reduce symptoms of restless legs syndrome (sensations in the legs that force you to keep moving your legs constantly). Ultram is an opioid (narcotic medication) which acts on the sensation of pain in the brain. Some other narcotic medications are hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxycodone/acetaminophen, and hydrocodone/acetaminophen. You should go for these medications only when the all the other drugs prove to be ineffective.
  • Massages for fibromyalgia
    Fibromyalgia can cause pain across the entire body. Massages are a great way to help handle this condition and improve the symptoms. There are several types of massages that used for patients suffering from fibromyalgia. Some are myofascial release, shiatsu, and Swedish massages. Massages for fibromyalgia carry several benefits, some of which are,
    – Improves Sleep
    Sleeplessness is the main reason why people with fibromyalgia get stressed and depressed. This helps your body to repair and rejuvenate overnight.
    – Improved Muscle Tone
    Including more petrissage (kneading) helps lethargic muscles to regain strength and vitality.
    – Mental Clarity
    Fibromyalgia can increase stress and also cause cognitive issues. A relaxing massage can help you clear your mind by relieving stress and also helps reduce cognitive issues.

Fibromyalgia affects about 3 to 6% of the entire world’s population and is most common in women (80 to 90% of fibromyalgia patients are women). But it is easy to help relieve yourself from the stress and pain with some medication for fibromyalgia. Make sure to consult with your doctor before you try any of the medications mentioned above.

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