Drugs
In Germany there is explicitly no approved drug for fibromyalgia syndrome. In order to nevertheless relieve the pain and increase the quality of sleep and life, low-dose antidepressants are used. In addition, the guideline for fibromyalgia syndrome was that almost all drugs can cause serious side effects and that physical training and cognitive behavioral therapy can just as well reduce pain and improve the quality of life.
- First and foremost, doctors decide to use the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline for a limited period of time.
- The antidepressant duloxetine can also help people suffering from depression or an anxiety disorder.
- In comorbid generalized anxiety disorder or neuropathic pain, the active ingredient pregabalin is often used, which is usually used for nerve pain or epileptic seizures. However, the drug very often triggers side effects such as weight gain and dizziness.
- The same often happens when taking Quetiapine, which is also used in the treatment of firbomyalgia syndrome to treat pain and sleep disorders.
- There is no evidence of efficacy for muscle relaxants, so-called muscle relaxants, local anaesthetics or anti-inflammatory drugs.
Homeopathy
In the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome, homeopathy focuses primarily on analgesics and antispasmodics: the remedies described represent only a small selection. A consultation with an experienced homeopath is recommended.
- Rhus toxicodendron (poison sumac): relieves pain in joints, tendons and muscles and helps relieve fatigue and irritability.
- Nux vomica (nux vomica): relieves cramp-like pain that occurs in attacks. It also reduces deadline pressure, emotional stress, insomnia and digestive disorders.
- Cimicifuga (bugweed): reduces pain in the shoulder and neck area, reduces numbness and improves sleep quality and mood.
- Rhododendron (gout rose): relieves pain in joints, muscles and nerves.
- Phisphorus (phosphorus): counteracts insomnia and persistent fatigue, relieves anxiety and depressive symptoms
Alternative therapies
The Fibromyalgiesyndrom accompanies concerning usually lifelong. Psychological support, in the sense of cognitive behavioural therapy, helps affected persons to live better with the disease, to reduce stress and to avoid unfavourable behaviour. Equally useful are meditative movement therapies, such as Qigong or Yoga, and relaxation techniques, such as autogenic training.
Occupational therapy can also support affected persons in the form of counselling, functional training or advice on aids. Further possibilities of alternative therapy are listed here:
- Manual therapy
- Postisometric Relaxation
- Eccentric training
The treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome is as complex and varied as the clinical picture itself. It is important that the patient feels perceived and taken seriously and that the treatment is individually tailored to him/her.
In any case, the top priority is always movement in order to relieve the pain in the long term and maintain mobility. In most cases, a multimodal treatment concept is required to maintain the ability to function in everyday life and to improve the quality of life. There are a number of symptoms that can occur with this disease: Extensive information about rheumatic diseases can be found in the article: Physiotherapy for rheumatic diseases.
- Months of muscle and joint pain in several parts of the body
- Tiredness
- Exhaustion
- Insomnia
- Swelling disorders
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Heart and breathing problems
- Permanent urge to urinate
- Increased freezing
- Sweating
- Hypersensitivity to noise, light or odors
- Ear noises
- Dry eyes
- Menstrual Pain
