INFO - How is fibromyalgia treated?

[Guest guest]

How is FM treated?

One of the most important factors in improving the symptoms of FM is for the

patient to recognize the need for lifestyle adaptation. Most people are

resistant to change because it implies adjustment, discomfort and effort.

However, in the case of FM, change can bring about recognizable improvement

in function and quality of life. Becoming educated about FM gives the

patient more potential for improvement.

An empathetic physician who is knowledgeable about the diagnosis and

treatment of FM and who will listen to and work with the patient is an

important component of treatment. It may be a family practitioner, an

internist or a specialist (rheumatologist or neurologist, for example).

Conventional medical intervention may be only part of a potential treatment

program. Alternative treatments, nutrition, relaxation techniques and

exercise play an important role in FM treatment as well. Each patient

should, along with the healthcare practitioner, establish a multifaceted and

individualized approach that works for them.

Pain Management:

Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may

be helpful in relieving pain. The physician may decide to prescribe one of

the newer non-narcotic pain relievers (e.g. tramadol) or low doses of

antidepressants (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin reuptake

inhibitors) or benzodiazepines. Patients must remember that antidepressants

are " serotonin builders " and can be prescribed at low levels to help improve

sleep and relieve pain. If the patient is experiencing depression, higher

levels of these or other medications may need to be prescribed. Another

beneficial pain therapy, that works well on localized areas of pain, is

lidocaine injections into the patient's tender points.

An important aspect of pain management is a regular program of gentle

exercise and stretching, which helps maintain muscle tone and reduces pain

and stiffness.

Sleep Management:

Improved sleep can be obtained by implementing a healthy sleep regimen. This

includes going to bed and getting up at the same time every day; making sure

that the sleeping environment is conducive to sleep (i.e. quiet, free from

distractions, a comfortable room temperature, a supportive bed); avoiding

caffeine, sugar and alcohol before bed; doing some type of light exercise

during the day; avoiding eating immediately before bedtime and practicing

relaxation exercises as you fall to sleep. When necessary, there are new

sleep medications that can be prescribed, some of which can be especially

helpful if the patient's sleep is disturbed by restless legs or periodic

limb movement disorder.

http://www.fmaware.org/fminfo/brochure.htm

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[Guest guest]

-

THank you forthe information ............Jenna

-- In , " " <Matsumura_Clan@...>

wrote:

>

> How is FM treated?

>

> One of the most important factors in improving the symptoms of FM

is for the

> patient to recognize the need for lifestyle adaptation. Most people

are

> resistant to change because it implies adjustment, discomfort and

effort.

> However, in the case of FM, change can bring about recognizable

improvement

> in function and quality of life. Becoming educated about FM gives

the

> patient more potential for improvement.

>

> An empathetic physician who is knowledgeable about the diagnosis and

> treatment of FM and who will listen to and work with the patient is

an

> important component of treatment. It may be a family practitioner,

an

> internist or a specialist (rheumatologist or neurologist, for

example).

> Conventional medical intervention may be only part of a potential

treatment

> program. Alternative treatments, nutrition, relaxation techniques

and

> exercise play an important role in FM treatment as well. Each

patient

> should, along with the healthcare practitioner, establish a

multifaceted and

> individualized approach that works for them.

>

>

>

> Pain Management:

>

> Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen or

ibuprofen, may

> be helpful in relieving pain. The physician may decide to prescribe

one of

> the newer non-narcotic pain relievers (e.g. tramadol) or low doses

of

> antidepressants (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin reuptake

> inhibitors) or benzodiazepines. Patients must remember that

antidepressants

> are " serotonin builders " and can be prescribed at low levels to

help improve

> sleep and relieve pain. If the patient is experiencing depression,

higher

> levels of these or other medications may need to be prescribed.

Another

> beneficial pain therapy, that works well on localized areas of

pain, is

> lidocaine injections into the patient's tender points.

>

> An important aspect of pain management is a regular program of

gentle

> exercise and stretching, which helps maintain muscle tone and

reduces pain

> and stiffness.

>

>

>

> Sleep Management:

>

> Improved sleep can be obtained by implementing a healthy sleep

regimen. This

> includes going to bed and getting up at the same time every day;

making sure

> that the sleeping environment is conducive to sleep (i.e. quiet,

free from

> distractions, a comfortable room temperature, a supportive bed);

avoiding

> caffeine, sugar and alcohol before bed; doing some type of light

exercise

> during the day; avoiding eating immediately before bedtime and

practicing

> relaxation exercises as you fall to sleep. When necessary, there

are new

> sleep medications that can be prescribed, some of which can be

especially

> helpful if the patient's sleep is disturbed by restless legs or

periodic

> limb movement disorder.

>

> http://www.fmaware.org/fminfo/brochure.htm

>

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>