Fibromyalgia Treatments

IMPORTANT: I am not a doctor nor am I prescribing any of these treatments. Please work with your doctors in all fibromyalgia treatments you may wish to pursue. Most lists are in alphabetical order and not in any kind of recommended or preferential order.

Over-the-Counter Drugs

• Guaifenesin
  This expectorant cough medicine thins out and loosens our mucous making it easier to cough it up. Guaifenesin is NOT an FDA-approved treatment for fibromyalgia. Clinical studies have not proven that it is an effective treatment for FMS. Dr. Robert Bennett, a highly respected rheumatologist and clinical researcher in Oregon, performed a one-year clinical study on Guaifenesin among 40 women who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia. He concluded that there weren’t any significant improvements in his subjects’ fibromyalgia.
• Dextromethorphan
  This is another anti-cough medication that only seems to be effective in high doses, according to medical studies done by Dr. Bennett.
• Benadryl
• Acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol)
• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen (brand name: Motrin)
• Naproxen sodium (brand name: Aleve)

Antihistamines

Painkillers

Topical Pain Relief

There are many different brands and forms (creams, sprays) but here are some ingredients to look for when considering topical pain relievers:

• Capsaicin from chili peppers can anesthetize where it is applied
• Cayenne from hot red peppers
• Eucalyptus
• Menthol
• Methyl salicylate (aspirin based)
• Peppermint oil

Prescription Medications

Source: (Staud, M.D. & Adamec, 2002)

Muscle Relaxers

• Carisoprodol (Soma) – mixed with acetaminophen it is called Soma Compound
• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxer
• Liorisol (Baclofen)
• Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
• Orphenadrine citrate (Norflex)
• Tizanidine HCI (Zanaflex)

Pain Killers

Most of these are controlled substances that will require you to be monitored for addiction while under a doctor’s care.

• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Butalbital (Fiorcet) – a barbiturate
• Codeine
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Dihydrocodeine, acetaminophen and caffeine (Zerlor)
• Fentanyl (Duragesic patch)
• Hydrocodone (Lortab)
• Hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Vicodin)
• Meperidine (Demerol)
• Methadone
• Morphine
• OxyContin
• Percocet (form of oxycodone)
• Percodan (form of oxycodone)
• Propoxyphene and acetaminophen (Darvocet)
• *Tramadol (Ultram)
• Tylenol 3 (acetaminophen with codeine)
• Ultracet – Tramadol with acetaminophen

*If a narcotic pain medication is truly necessary, Ultram is considered the best choice for those with FMS because it is less addictive. (Murphree, 2008, p. 97)

Anti-inflammatories

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS:

• Celecoxib (Celebrex)
• Ibuprofen (Motrin)
• Nabumetone (Relafen)
• Naproxen sodium (Naprosyn)
• Piroxicam (Feldene)
• Rofecoxib (Vioxx) [pulled off market by manufacturer because of deaths due to heart attacks, stroke or blot clots]
• Valdecoxib (Bextra)
• *Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Cymbalta
• Doxephin (Adapin)
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• *Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Nefazodone (Serzone)
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Savella
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Trazodone (Desyrel)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Anti-depressants

*Most common anti-depressant medications used by people with fibromyalgia

Other prescription drugs

• Anti-epilectic / anti-convulsant
• • Gabpentin (Neurontin)
  • Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
  • Topiramate (Topamax)
  • Lyrica
• Anti –anxiety
• • Alprazolam (Xanax)
  • Clonazepam (Klonopin)
  • Diazepam (Valium)
  • Temazepam (Restoril)
• Antihistimines
• • Hyroxyzine (Atarax)
• Sleep aid
• • Eszopiclone (Lunestra)
  • Zaleplon (Sonata)
  • Zolpidem (Ambien)

Hands-on Therapy

Acupuncture

Acupuncture originated in China around 3,500 years ago. It is a main component of traditional Chinese medicine. Typical treatment would involve four to ten thin needles place into the skin at different points on the body. You could expect six to twelve treatments over a three-month period. Additional therapies done alongside acupuncture include moxibustion (mugwort herb burnt just above the surface of the skin), massage, exercises and diet. (Matallana, 2005)

Aquatic Therapy

Aerobic exercises done in a pool is an effective exercise option for many with fibromyalgia. Aquatic therapy can help you build endurance and increase arm and leg strength. It will also give you greater flexibility and balance.

Chiropractic Manipulation

Chiropractors use joint manipulation to correct poor spinal alignment that they believe causes various disorders. Most chiropractors also use massage therapy, hot and cold therapy and stretching in their treatment of patients.

Heat and Cold Therapy

Heat therapy is most often used for chronic pain so try this first. If it does not work, try Cryotherapy. Cryotherapy (cold therapy) is known to help some patients. It slows the blood flow to the affected area and therefore decreases the inflammation and pain. Some patients find that alternating between the heat and cold therapies provide the best results for them.

Massage Therapy

The goal of massage therapy is to alleviate pain, stiffness, muscle spasms and pain. Massage techniques manipulate the muscles, tendons and ligaments to promote relaxation and improve sleep. There are numerous types of massage:

• Accupressure
• Deep Tissue
• Medical Massage
• Myofascial Release
• Neuromuscular therapy
• Reflexology
• Shiatsu
• Sports Massage
• Swedish
• Trager
• Trigger Point Therapy

Mud Baths

Occupational Therapy

An occupational therapist can help you and your family deal with the changes you have made, or need to make, to your daily activities because of fibromyalgia.

Physical Therapy

To goal of physical therapy is to restore function, improve mobility and relieve pain. FMS sufferers should be sure that their physical therapist has experience in the treatment of rheumatological conditions.

Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates

Although not treatments as such, yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates can help you strengthen your muscles, especially in your core, improve your breathing and helping you to relax. Before pursuing a particular form of yoga be sure it is the kind that is gentle, for people with health problems and that the teacher is experienced.

Alternative Fibromyalgia Treatments

Aromatherapy

This is the use of essences or extracts from flowers, herbs and trees added to oils and then inhaled or rubbed into the skin. Lavender has been noted to help many with fibromyalgia relax or sleep.

Botox Injections

Herbs

WebMD states that there are few studies on herbal remedies (because there isn’t any money to be made, probably) but that some patient report improved sleep with Echinacea, black cohosh, lavender and milk thistle. (WebMD, 2009)

Supplements

These are vitamins and minerals that you ingest as a pill or liquid to supplement the foods you eat. Research studies have indicated that people with fibromyalgia frequently are low in B-12, vitamin D, magnesium and zinc.

Magnet Therapy

Electromagnetic Therapy exposes the “patient to varying intensities and frequencies of electromagnetic impulses.” (Matallana, 2005, p. 160)

Works cited

Matallana, L. (2005). The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fibromyalgia, 2nd Edition. New York, NY, USA: Penguin Group.

Murphree, R. H. (2008). Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Step-by-step Program Proven to Help You Get Well! Birmingham, AL, USA: Harrison and Hampton Publishing, Inc.

Staud, M.D., R., & Adamec, C. (2002). Fibromyalgia For Dummies. New York, NY, USA: Wiley Publishing, Inc.

WebMD. (2009). Fibromyalgia Treaments – Can Alternative Treatments Help Fibromyalgia. Retrieved October 29, 2010, from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-treatments?page=3