| Joining a fibromyalgia support group can be excellent | | | | instance, tricyclic antidepressants are provided to |
| psychological and emotional therapy. However, talking | | | | fibromyalgia patients who suffer from insomnia, as |
| and sharing your experiences with others is not likely | | | | these meds help restore sleep. In addition, tricyclic |
| to take away any of the painful physical symptoms | | | | antidepressants can help painful muscles relax and |
| or fatigue you feel. Therefore, many fibromyalgia | | | | stimulate endorphins (body's natural painkillers). |
| sufferers need to turn to alternative and medical | | | | Different tricyclic antidepressants that may be |
| remedies to find relief from their symptoms. | | | | prescribed include: amitriptyline, doxepin, |
| There are different over-the-counter (OTC) and | | | | cyclobenzaprine and nortriptyline. |
| prescribed medications that a fibromyalgia sufferer | | | | Additional antidepressant that may be used to treat |
| may find beneficial to their condition. That being said, | | | | depression and other fibromyalgia syptoms are |
| not every person with fibromyalgia will have the | | | | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These |
| same response to medical treatment, and may | | | | include - fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine. |
| require different treatment to address their specific | | | | Antidepressants can be habit forming and may cause |
| symptoms. | | | | side effects such as dry mouth, weight gain, anxiety, |
| Although there are a number of medications that can | | | | gastrointestinal upset, loss of libido, insomnia, and |
| be prescribed for specific symptoms, or those | | | | fatigue. Note: each antidepressant will have different |
| currently being used in clinical trials, the following are | | | | side effects. |
| the most common medical treatments prescribed: | | | | Benzodiazepines |
| Analgesics - Analgesics are drugs designed to relieve | | | | Benzodiazepines are psychotropic drugs that have |
| bodily aches and pains and are also known as | | | | been known to help fibromyalgia sufferers relax |
| painkillers. OTC analgesics include acetaminophen and | | | | tense and painful muscles, and with restless legs |
| the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | | | | syndrome, and insomnia. Benzodiazepines have |
| aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Although NSAIDs are | | | | hypnotic and sedative effects, and like |
| primarily used to reduce inflammation and | | | | antidepressants, dependence and addiction can occur |
| inflammation is not a symptom of fibromyalgia, they | | | | in some patients. Other side effects may include |
| offer effective pain relief. The problem with using | | | | depression, memory impairment, slow motor skills, |
| NSAIDs for pain relief is that prolonged use of this | | | | etc. |
| medication can irritate the stomach lining, lead to | | | | Benzodiazepines are usually prescribed to fibromyalgia |
| digestive upset and cause stomach ulcers. | | | | sufferers who have not responded well to other |
| Aside from OTC analgesics, doctors may prescribe | | | | treatments. Some Benzodiazepines meds prescribed |
| opioid analgesics such as tramadol. Tramadol is a | | | | include: diazepam, temazepman, clonazepam, and |
| narcotic used to treat moderate to severe pain, and | | | | triazolam. |
| is typically used to treat surgical, arthritic and | | | | Despite what medication you may be interested in or |
| fibromyalgia pain. However, other stronger narcotics | | | | your doctor may recommend, you need to make |
| may be prescribed for sufferers with severe muscle | | | | sure you ask your doctor important questions before |
| pain. | | | | taking any medication so you can receive the most |
| The problem doctors have with prescribing narcotics | | | | effective treatment that is right for you. |
| is that although effective, there is a high risk that | | | | 6 important questions to ask your doctor |
| those who take them will become addicted and | | | | 1. What are the medications you recommend for my |
| dependent on these drugs. Furthermore, narcotics | | | | specific symptoms? |
| can have many side effects including altering moods, | | | | 2. What side effects can I expect and will this |
| behaviors and fatigue. | | | | medication have negative interactions with other |
| Antidepressants | | | | medications, foods or activities? |
| Antidepressants are one of the most common | | | | 3. Should I continue taking medications even if I feel |
| medications prescribed for fibromyalgia sufferers. This | | | | better? |
| is because antidepressants elevate the levels of | | | | 4. What are the long-term effects this medication will |
| specific brain chemicals such as norepinephrine and | | | | have on my health? |
| serotonin. Low levels of these and other brain | | | | 5. Can I take any alternative therapies with this |
| chemicals can result in depression, pain and fatigue. | | | | medication, or are there any alternative therapies I |
| By increasing chemical levels these symptoms can be | | | | can try which might provide me with relief for my |
| improved. | | | | symptoms? |
| Doctors provide different types of antidepressants | | | | 6. Are there any clinical trials I may be eligible for? |
| to fibromyalgia sufferers based on how they feel. For | | | | |