Can medicine be part of a holistic approach to treating my fibromyalgia?

A holistic approach to treating fibromyalgia may include both prescription and non-prescription medicines as well as non-drug therapies.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several prescription medications for the treatment of fibromyalgia, including some medications (such as duloxetine and milnacipran) that are thought to control pain by affecting chemicals in the brain. Other prescription medications (such as pregabalin) are believed to reduce the pain of fibromyalgia by quieting overactive nerves and lessening the pain signals they transmit. Non-prescription analgesic drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen may help reduce pain particularly in people who have arthritis in addition to fibromyalgia.

Non-drug therapies, such as yoga, therapeutic massage, acupuncture and tai chi, may help reduce the stiffness of fibromyalgia and help you feel better overall. Staying physically active and exercising regularly can help minimize fatigue and help you fight pain and stiffness.

For more information about a holistic approach to managing fibromyalgia symptoms, talk with your doctor and/or pharmacist.

Work with your doctor to find the best treatment regimen for you.

The National Institutes of Health recommend 5 things someone with fibromyalgia can do to feel better, including:

• Taking medicines as prescribed
• Getting enough sleep
• Exercising
• Eating well
• Making work changes if necessary
• Acupuncture

In a clinical trial, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was shown to help some patients cope with their fibromyalgia pain. 

Many alternative therapies are available to people with fibromyalgia. However, the effects of these treatments have not been proven conclusively.

• Massage
• Chiropractic therapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Ultrasound

For some people, prescription medicine can be a valuable part of their overall treatment plan.

If you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, talk to your doctor about your treatment options. Prescription treatment, such as LYRICA, is one option you and your doctor may consider.

In clinical studies, LYRICA was proven to provide significant relief from fibromyalgia pain compared with a placebo, so patients felt better and could do more.*

*Individual results may vary.

In a perfect world, we would not need medications for any conditions; however, we don’t live in a perfect world.

What medication works for one fibromyalgia patient, may not work for another. Another important consideration regarding medications is the comorbid conditions that frequently co-occur with FM. Medications for migraine, for instance, may interfere with a medication to treat other conditions. It is important to discuss all of your medications and over the counter preparations with your doctor and pharmacist.

Medications may be an integrative approach to living with fibromyalgia, but not the only intervention. The right exercise, bodywork, and emotional and spiritual balance are also important.

All blogs, posts and answers are based on the work in Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN, and Jeff Miller, PhD. 2010, Vermont: Healing Arts press and are not meant to replace medical advice. http://www.thesethree.com

Author of Chapter Five, Living with and Coping Effectively Through Fibromyalgia: Detecting Barriers, Understanding the Clues, in Fibromyalgia Insider Secrets: 10 Top Experts, 2nd Ed. Ebook complied by Deirdre Rawlings, ND, PhD http://www.fibromyalgiainsidersecrets.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=121_0_1_59