Fibromyalgia continues to confound medical professionals. With so many patients complaining of pain and no cause or cure, research is still underway to determine what fibromyalgia is and what causes it.
Lack of answers is frustrating for people in pain. On Health.com, Amanda Gardner lists “13 Mistakes Fibro Patients Make.” Tracking your pain in a diary is important to understand when your pain is better or worse. This can help you identify things in you lifestyle or diet that you should avoid or perhaps do more often.
Bruce Baethge, MD is a rheumatologist with Texas A & M Health Science Center College of Medicine. He told Gardner that patients need to be realistic about their medications. There are only three drugs approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia: Lyrica, Cymbalta and Savella. Some are more effective for certain patients than others. The drugs can also be expensive and have side effects. Be willing to try different medications if your doctor recommends them, and consider off label alternatives that your doctor prescribes.
Learn more about fibromyalgia, and help educate your friends and family about your illness. Their support is important, said Dr. Baethge. You might consider joining a support group as well.
Only a doctor can diagnose fibromyalgia. If your current doctor isn’t informed about fibromyalgia you might consider a specialist such as a rheumatologist. If you’re unsure how to talk to your doctor, consult the Fibromyalgia Doctor Discussion Guide on Web MD for help.
Some treatments work better than others, according to WebMD. Their Fibromyalgia Guide recommends trying several options to see which works best for you. Some treatments include medications, physical therapy, counseling and exercise.