Is There a Cure for Fibromyalgia?

A generalized chronic pain condition, fibromyalgia is poorly understood and, to date, has no known cure. There’s good news in that a wide range of treatments can relieve symptoms while minimizing the impact of fibromyalgia on your life. 

The fibromyalgia specialists at Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management in West Des Moines and Des Moines, Iowa, can personalize your treatment to the way the condition affects you. 

Often difficult to diagnose because of symptoms that mimic other disorders, fibromyalgia ranges from mild to severe. Let’s take a closer look for a better understanding of the condition. 

The nature of fibromyalgia

Considered a chronic neurological disorder characterized by pain throughout the body and an increased sensitivity to pain, fibromyalgia seems to change the way your nervous system processes pain. 

Though it can coexist with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, it’s not considered a condition in either category. There’s no evidence that fibromyalgia causes tissue damage. 

Some research points to changes in the balance of brain chemistry, including norepinephrine and serotonin. Fibromyalgia’s symptoms include neurological effects such as blurry vision, cognitive issues (“brain fog” or “fibro fog”), and tingling and/or numbness throughout the body. 

Fibromyalgia more commonly affects women than men, and sometimes runs in families. Symptoms may start after an infection or injury. Your fibromyalgia risk increases if you’re obese or have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus. 

Symptom management

Since there’s no cure, managing fibromyalgia symptoms is the focus of treatment to minimize the distractions and impact on your life. Fibromyalgia can be debilitating at its most severe. 

Medications

Drugs to ease the effects of fatigue and pain are often used for fibromyalgia. These include: 

• Pain medications, over-the-counter and prescription-strength
• Fatigue medications
• Muscle relaxants

Antidepressant and anti-epileptic medications are sometimes effective for treating fibromyalgia. 

Activity and exercise

These may seem counterintuitive when you’re tired and in pain, but mild to moderate physical activity is a remarkable pain reliever that’s effective for fibromyalgia and other conditions, like osteoarthritis. 

Start slow and build endurance. Improvements in blood flow can reduce pain and ease fatigue. 

Lifestyle alterations

Just as fibromyalgia affects virtually every part of your life, the way you live can affect your fibromyalgia. Consider how aspects like these may aggravate your symptoms and, if necessary, modify your habits: 

• Unbalanced postures: sit and stand with a focus on balancing your body
• Sleep habits: develop a consistent sleep routine that promotes quality sleep
• Stress management: stress may increase the severity of fibro symptoms

If your current fibro management isn’t sufficient, look to untried therapies, acupuncture and massage, for example, to find techniques that work for you.

At Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management, we can help with personalized care that focuses on your condition and symptoms. Call or click today to book an appointment.