Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain and also allodynia, a heightened and painful response to pressure. Fibromyalgia symptoms are not restricted to pain, leading to the use of the alternative term fibromyalgia syndrome for the condition. Other core symptoms include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. |
 The defining symptoms of fibromyalgia are chronic, widespread pain, fatigue, and heightened pain in response to pressure (allodynia). Other symptoms may include tingling of the skin, prolonged muscle spasms, weakness in the limbs, nerve pain, functional bowel disturbances,and chronic sleep disturbances.
Many patients experience cognitive dysfunction (known as "brain fog" or "fibrofog"), which may be characterized by impaired concentration, problems with short and long-term memory, short-term memory consolidation, impaired speed of performance, inability to multi-task, cognitive overload, diminished attention span, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.Although fibromyalgia is classified based on the presence of chronic widespread pain, pain may also be localized in areas such as the shoulders, neck, low back, hips, or other areas. Many sufferers also experience varying degrees of facial pain and have high rates of comorbid temporomandibular joint disorder.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
1. Common sleep-aid medications include Ambien, Lunesta, clonazepam, and trazodone.
2. Medications that boost your body's level of serotonin and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters that modulate sleep, pain, and immune system function) are commonly prescribed in low doses for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Examples include amitriptyline, cyclobenzaprine, Cymbalta, and Savella. The latter two can disrupt sleep and may work best if taken in the morning.
3. Ultram may help with the treatment of fibromyalgia pain, although stronger opioids may be needed for addressing moderate to severe pain.
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 4. Muscle relaxants, anti-epileptics (such as Neurontin and Lyrica) and other drug categories may be prescribed as well. Each issue of the Fibromyalgia Network Journal contains information about new treatment options, as well as advice about how to make use of existing medications to minimize fibromyalgia symptoms.
In addition to medications, most fibromyalgia patients will need to use other treatment methods:
* trigger point injections with lidocaine
* physical therapy
* occupational therapy
* acupuncture/acupressure
* relaxation/biofeedback techniques
* osteopathic manipulation
* chiropractic care
* therapeutic massage
* gentle exercise program
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