Life After the Diagnosis - Managing Fibromyalgia

Diagnosing fibromyalgia is tricky; managing it is a whole other ball game. There is no medicine you can take to make the pain go away, nor is there a cure all for the symptoms. Comprehensive treatment that includes a multi-faceted approach is best, and it starts with education.

Research Fibromyalgia
Knowledge is power. Educate yourself on fibromyalgia by reading articles on the internet, books, or other journals that publish the latest on fibromyalgia research. On the internet there are also a number of non-profit patient advocacy groups that usually send out newsletters with current information via email.

Exercise and Eat Right
Low-impact exercise can actually help lessen the pain felt by fibromyalgia. Any exercise plan should be discussed with your health care professional, but you may want to try gentle stretching or water exercise to start, since they put minimal strain on the body. You can work up to stationary biking, walking, or light jogging.

The key to exercise is to start slow and only increase gradually. This may mean exercising only a few minutes a day. Your doctor can help you to figure out an exercise plan that is right for you.

Hypersensitivity to food additives and food allergies can be connected to fibromyalgia. By identifying which foods affect you, you can develop a good nutritional plan that will contribute to better health.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Pain connected with fibromyalgia is often worse when the body is not fully rested, so it is important that you do your utmost to get a good night’s sleep. This will aid in preventing you from entering the vicious cycle of less sleep and more pain that many with fibromyalgia struggle with.

How to get the best sleep possible:

• Set a sleep schedule and stick to it. – When you go to sleep at the same time every night, your internal clock will adjust to that “bedtime” and you will find it easier to fall asleep.

• Do your afternoon exercises. – This will help you sleep better. If you exercise in the evening hours, you may find it harder to fall asleep when nighttime comes.

• Keep naps under 20 minutes. – If you nap longer you will probably have trouble falling asleep at night.

• Turn down the thermostat and turn on the fan. – Studies show that people sleep deeper and more soundly in a cool room than a warm one.

• Cut out the caffeine and the alcohol. – Save your coffee for the morning, and also avoid other drinks and foods containing caffeine as the evening hour approaches. You may be tempted to have a drink to help you sleep, but when your blood alcohol level drops you’ll find yourself wide awake again.

• Prepare yourself for bed. – This involves comfortable pajamas and a nice quiet environment you can fall asleep in. Get your body ready for bed by doing the same thing each night; whether it be reading or listening to music, if you do it regularly before bed it will work as a trigger to signal your body to sleep.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
It was once thought that fibromyalgia was a mental disorder, and although that is not true, dealing with fibromyalgia can take a toll on your emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy analyzes how what we feel and what we do are affected by our thoughts.

This type of therapy teaches you how to relax, reduce stress and manage your pain. It has been shown to decrease pain and fatigue, as well as improve your mood and ability to function.

Medications for Fibromyalgia
Some medications may be prescribed to help you sleep better, to relax muscles, or to relieve joint and muscle pain. There is currently no one medication to ease all the symptoms of fibromyalgia; medications are prescribed or taken to treat specific symptoms and not the condition itself.

Know Your Triggers
A trigger is anything that you’ve noticed increases your symptoms, and may include stressful events, changes in the weather or particular activities. By knowing your triggers you can avoid them, or be better prepared to handle the onslaught of symptoms that they bring.

By increasing exercise, getting quality sleep, and reducing stress, symptoms can be controlled. Symptoms may come and go, increase and decrease, so it is always important to take a proactive comprehensive approach that incorporates more than just medication.

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