Should I tell my doctor before starting alternative fibromyalgia therapy?
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Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:It's a good idea to your doctor before using any alternative therapy for treating your fibromyalgia. There is some modest evidence that alternative therapies such as biofeedback and acupuncture may help to manage pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, most alternative treatments have not been adequately studied in people with fibromyalgia, so their effectiveness can't be guaranteed. Your doctor can help you determine whether an alternative treatment may be right for you and your particular symptoms.It's a good idea to your doctor before using any alternative therapy for treating your fibromyalgia. There is some modest evidence that alternative therapies such as biofeedback and acupuncture may help to manage pain and other symptoms of... More -
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Here's a bit of advice: Don't keep secrets from your doctor. Alternative therapies for treating fibromyalgia or any other medical condition may be effective. But they could be ineffective or even dangerous. They might even conflict with conventional treatment you're receiving. For instance, some herbal remedies may interact with other medications you're taking, which could cause severe side effects. Make your doctor your partner. Tell him or her before trying an alternative treatment for fibromyalgia.Here's a bit of advice: Don't keep secrets from your doctor. Alternative therapies for treating fibromyalgia or any other medical condition may be effective. But they could be ineffective or even dangerous. They might even conflict with... More -
Celeste Cooper answered:You should tell your doctor about all of your therapies. As a matter of fact, you should have a treatment plan that lists treatments, therapies, medications, etc, and a perpetual evaluation of how your treatment plan is working, using helpful visual tools such as those found in our book.
If you feel a particular alternative treatment is something you want to try, be sure you research it and present the information to your doctor with an explanation as to why you would like to try it. This will also prompt a discussion regarding why you feel present therapies are not doing the trick for you.
Treating fibromyalgia is a learning curve for everyone. We are each different with our own comorbid or coexisting conditions. What one patient finds helpful, another may find makes them worse.
Also discuss any herbal or supplements with your pharmacist to make sure there aren’t any interactions with your medications.
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
Find out more about this book: Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofa...
You should tell your doctor about all of your therapies. As a matter of fact, you should have a treatment plan that lists treatments, therapies, medications, etc, and a perpetual evaluation of how your treatment plan is working, using helpful visual... More
