Fibromyalgia Medication

Fibromyalgia medication may include antidepressants, sedatives, NSAID's, and muscle relaxants. They are all commonly used with patients with fibromyalgia.

The problem is that all of the medications used for fibromyalgia have side effects.

In 2007, pregabalin (Lyrica) became the first medication approved specifically for treating fibromyalgia. You may see the commercials for them. I was amazed by the list of possible side effects. Some seem to me that they could be worse than fibromyalgia itself. According to their official website, side effects include dizziness, sleepiness, dry mouth, swelling of hands and feet, blurry vision, weight gain and trouble concentrating. Some of these symptoms are exactly what we are trying to get rid – not exacerbate.

Before deciding to take a prescribed drug, be sure you know:Why has it been prescribed?
What should it accomplish?
What are the long term side effects?
What are the short term side effects?
How long would you need to take it?
How much does it cost?
Is there a generic version of the drug?
Will it interact with other medicines you are on?
Are there foods, drugs or activities that you should avoid?
How often should you take it, with or without food?

If you are taking a prescription drug and start having side effects such as nausea, dizziness, hives, shortness of breath, headache, overly tired, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, etc., call your doctor immediately.

Local injections of analgesics and/or cortisone medication into the trigger point areas have been helpful to some. They help relieve painful soft tissues, while breaking cycles of pain and muscle spasm. But test indicate that this should not be done long term due to the side effects. It will weaken the bone over time.

Narcotic pain relievers and cortisone medications have not been shown to be beneficial in this condition. Narcotics and cortisone medications are avoided because they have potential adverse side effects, including dependency, when used long-term.

But again, take note of how many potential side effects any fibromyalgia medication lists. Before becoming dependent on chemicals as a long term solution, try all the natural, healthy methods you can find.

Any time you decide to take medication, there is a risk that there are unknown side effects as well as the ones they list. For this reason, whenever possible, live as naturally as possible. This will allow your body to heal itself. Medications suppress the symptoms. They do not fix the problem. If you allow it to work (and give it the tools it needs to work), the body will fix the root problem. Then there will be no symptoms to suppress. That is the goal!!