You may experience an increase in blood pressure as a side effect of taking certain medications for fibromyalgia. In most cases, the increase in blood pressure, if any, is modest. Your doctor will monitor you after you start taking any new medicine. If you have a significant increase in blood pressure, your doctor may recommend switching to a different medication. If your physician prescribes a medication for fibromyalgia, tell him or her if you have high blood pressure or if you are currently taking medication for high blood pressure.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
Because no underlying disease process is known, doctors aim to treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia. A healthy diet and getting regular, low-impact exercise like yoga, walking or water aerobics are key to maintain your health with fibromyalgia. Your doctor may also prescribe pain medication and recommend support groups or counseling.
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For relief from excessive sweating, try some of the following remedies:
- Before sleep, apply antiperspirant to dry hands and feet.
- Wear loose, breathable clothing made of natural fibers such as cotton and bamboo. When you exercise, wear clothing made of moisture-wicking material.
- Botox injections for problem areas, such as hands or feet, can be an effective treatment against excessive sweating. Several injections are usually required, and the treatment can last up to a year. Discuss this option with your doctor.
- In severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery, or a treatment called iontophoresis, in which an electric current is sent through water to stun the nerves of the affected area, such as the hands or feet. Multiple treatments are required, but the procedure can be up to 80% effective.
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Some studies show that yoga not only reduces the pain of fibromyalgia but also helps people with fibromyalgia feel less anxious. Yoga combines gentle stretching movements with deep breathing. Practicing yoga regularly may help you feel less muscle pain and stiffness and remain more active.
If you want to try yoga to treat fibromyalgia, try to find an instructor who has experience teaching students who have the condition. You may experience limitations or have special needs as you start a yoga class, but try to stick with it. It should become easier with time.
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See All 5 AnswersDoctors usually recommend a multi-pronged approach to treating fibromyalgia that may include medications to relieve pain, help correct sleep problems and improve overall functioning. Support groups and psychological counseling may also be recommended to help people with fibromyalgia cope with symptoms of their condition. Doctors also encourage people with fibromyalgia to make healthy lifestyle choices such as exercising regularly, maintaining a regular bedtime and using stress-reduction techniques. Alternative therapies, such as massage or acupuncture, can also help manage fibromyalgia symptoms.
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Pain medicine is a multidisciplinary medical subspecialty. Doctors who practice this type of medicine come from specialties such as neurology and physical medicine and rehabilitation. Pain medicine doctors are experts in treating painful disorders. Pain medicine doctors can also pull together a team of other experts including doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists who can help develop a tailored pain-management plan.
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Heat can be an effective treatment for some fibromyalgia symptoms such as pain and stiffness as well as stress. Ask your doctor how heat therapy might help you. Approaches include simple steps such as using heat packs and taking warm baths, and hydortherapy.
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You are smart to want to partner with your doctor to manage your fibromyalgia symptoms. Studies show that although there is no cure for fibromyalgia you may be able to reduce your symptoms with treatments including medication, therapies such as massage and acupuncture, and healthy lifestyle choices including regular exercise and stress-reduction techniques.
Your doctor may be able to prescribe medicine for you to relieve pain and improve your overall functioning. You may also want to ask him or her to refer you to other health professionals such as a physical therapist or a psychologist or counselor who specializes in treating people with chronic (ongoing) illnesses. Your doctor may also be able to recommend resources for more information about fibromyalgia or help you find a local support group for people with fibromyalgia.
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Fibromyalgia is normally diagnosed during middle age, but some symptoms - such as morning stiffness -- can become more of an issue with age.
People with rheumatoid arthritis or other types of arthritis may be more likely to have fibromyalgia, and arthritis is more common in seniors. At any age, if you have concerns about your fibromyalgia treatment plan, talk with your doctor. He or she should help you find solutions that will help manage your fibromyalgia symptoms over time.
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Some practitioners of alternative medicine recommend various natural treatments, such as herbs and nutritional supplements, for treating fibromyalgia symptoms. Some of these natural products may hold promise. For instance, there is some evidence that herbs commonly prescribed by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine may be effective for relieving fibromyalgia symptoms. However, these and other natural treatments require closer study before their true effects are known.
Check with your doctor before taking any herb or supplement. Even natural medicines can have unwanted side effects, and they may interact with medications you're taking.
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Researchers have discovered that some people with fibromyalgia have a specific type of structural abnormality in the spinal cord. In some cases, doctors may offer surgery to correct this spinal cord problem to patients with fibromyalgia. However, studies show that the majority of people who have symptoms of fibromyalgia do not have this structural problem in the spine. In most cases, fibromyalgia is best managed with conventional treatments, including medication and regular physical activity.