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Fibromyalgia

Diagnosis

Currently there aren’t any laboratory tests to diagnose fibromyalgia.  A person  may see many doctors before receiving the diagnosis. This can happen because the main symptoms of fibromyalgia, pain and fatigue, are similar to many other conditions. Doctors often have to rule out other causes of these symptoms before making a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

Doctors use guidelines to help diagnose fibromyalgia, which can include:

  • A history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months.
  • Physical symptoms including fatigue, waking unrefreshed, and cognitive (memory or thought) problems. The number of areas throughout the body in which you had pain in the past week.

 

How is it treated?
Doctors may prescribe one or more of the following medicines to help treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia:

  • Ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen you can buy over the counter.
  • Narcotic medicines to treat severe pain. Duloxetine and minacipran to help the pain and fatigue.
  • Pregabalin to help treat nerve pain.
  • Education for the patient living with fibromyalgia

Getting enough sleep and the right kind of sleep can help ease the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia. Advise the patient that problems such as pain, restless legs syndrome, or brainwave changes interfere with restful sleep.

Tips for Good Sleep
Keep regular sleep habits. Try to get to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the late afternoon and evening. Even though alcohol can make you feel sleepy, drinking any close to bedtime can disturb your sleep. Time your exercise. Regular daytime exercise can help improve your nighttime sleep. However, exercise within 3 hours of bedtime can keep you awake. Avoid daytime naps. Sleeping in the afternoon can interfere with nighttime sleep. If you feel like you cannot get by without a nap, set an alarm for 1 hour. When it goes off, get up and start moving. Reserve your bed for sleeping. Watching TV, reading, or using a laptop or phone in bed can keep you awake. Keep your bedroom comfortable. Try to keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. Avoid drinking liquids and eating spicy meals before bed. Heartburn and late-night trips to the bathroom can interfere with your sleep. Wind down before bed. Avoid working right up to bedtime. Try some relaxing activities that get you ready for sleep, such as listening to soft music or taking a warm bath.

Adjusting Your Work Life

You can continue to work when you have fibromyalgia, but may have to make some changes to do so. For example, you may need to cut down the number of hours they work, switch to a less demanding job, or adapt your current job. An occupational therapist can help you make changes at work. For example, they can help design a more comfortable workstation or find more efficient and less painful ways to lift.
Eating well

Although some people with fibromyalgia report feeling better when they eat or avoid certain foods, no specific diet has been proven to influence fibromyalgia. Of course, it is important to have a healthy, balanced diet.

Exercising.

Education on exercise for the patient with fibromyalgia includes:

  • Start low, go slow.
  • Modify activity when arthritis symptoms increase, try to stay active.
  • Activities should be “joint friendly.”
  • Recognize safe places and ways to be active.
  • Talk to a health professional or certified exercise specialist.

Start low, and go slow

When starting or increasing physical activity, a patient with fibromyalgia should start slow and pay attention to how their body tolerates it.  Patients with fibromyalgia may take more time for their body to adjust to a new level of activity. Add activity a little at a time (at least 10 minutes at a time) and allow enough time for the body to adjust to the new level before adding more activity.

Modify activity when fibromyalgia symptoms increase, try to stay active.

Fibromyalgia symptoms, such as pain, stiffness, and fatigue, may come and go and you may have good days and bad days. Try to modify your activity to stay as active as possible without making your symptoms worse.

Activities should be “joint friendly.”

Choose activities that are easy on the joints like walking, bicycling, water aerobics, or dancing. These activities have a low risk of injury and do not twist or “pound” the joints too much.

Recognize safe places and ways to be active.

Safety is important for starting and maintaining an activity plan. If you are currently inactive or you are not sure how to start your own physical activity program, an exercise class may be a good option. If you plan and direct your own activity, find safe places to be active. For example, walk in an area where the sidewalks or pathways are level and free of obstructions, are well-lighted, and are separated from heavy traffic.

Muscle-strengthening exercises include lifting weights, working with resistance bands, and yoga. These can be done at home, in an exercise class, or at a fitness center.

Flexibility exercises like stretching and yoga are also important for people with arthritis. Many people with arthritis have joint stiffness that makes daily tasks difficult. Doing daily flexibility exercises helps maintain range of motion so you can keep doing everyday things like household tasks, hobbies, and visiting with friends and family.

Balance exercises like walking backwards, standing on one foot, and tai chi are important for those who are at a risk of falling or have trouble walking. Do balance exercises 3 days per week if you are at risk of falling. Balance exercises are included in many group exercise classes.

Tips to help you manage pain during and after physical activity:

Until pain improves, modify physical activity program by exercising less frequently (fewer days per week) or for shorter periods of time (less time each session).

  • Try a different type of exercise that puts less pressure on the joints—for example, switch from walking to water aerobics.
  • Do proper warm-up and cool-down before and after exercise.
  • Exercise at a comfortable pace—you should be able to carry on a conversation while exercising.
  • Make sure you have good fitting, comfortable shoes

 

Source:

https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/fibromyalgia​