Treating fibromyalgia with medication

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain in various areas of the body. We wanted to find out how this can be controlled and whether it can be cured.
 

We recently spoke with leading consultant pain management specialist, Dr Salmin Aseri, who let us know some ways that fibromyalgia can be treated. In this article, he covers the various medications that are often used to treat the condition.

How can symptoms of fibromyalgia be treated?

• By encouraging self-management;
• Graded exercise;
• Patient education
• Prescribing options first t line low dose tricyclic antidepressants e.g. Amitriptyline (Steroids / strong opioids not to be prescribed);
• Consider counselling for anxiety / depression.

There are a number of ways symptoms can be managed. In many cases, fibromyalgia can be diagnosed and treated by your GP.

They can advise you on therapies and treatments that tackle specific symptoms. These may include drug treatments. Sometimes physical and psychological therapies can be a more effective way of managing fibromyalgia than medication.

What medication should be avoided when treating fibromyalgia?

It is strongly recommended to avoid opioid narcotic medications for treating fibromyalgia. The reason for this is that research evidence shows these drugs are not helpful to most people with fibromyalgia and will cause greater pain sensitivity or make pain persist.

Patients may be referred to a specialist such as a rheumatologist, a doctor who specialises in conditions affecting the bones, joints and muscles. They may confirm your diagnosis and /or a Pain Specialist.

Pain clinics bring together skills of a wide range of professionals such as:

• physiotherapists
• specialist pain consultants
• occupational therapists
• social workers
• psychologists
• employment advisors.

They can provide specific treatments or rehabilitation therapies that may help to reduce the effects of fibromyalgia.

Can fibromyalgia be cured?

Pain management won't take pain away, but it can help manage it better and reduce its impact.

Drug treatments:

All drugs have potential side effects. You may be prescribed drug treatments to manage pain, sleep problems or depression you may be experiencing because of your fibromyalgia.

Although drugs can't treat fibromyalgia alone, they can help reduce symptoms to a level that allows for gentle physical activity and rehabilitation therapies.

Neuromodulatory drugs

These are prescribed treatments, they are antidepressants or drugs that target nerve pain, including gabapentin and pregabalin. They were originally used to treat conditions such as epilepsy and depression but have since been proven to be effective for treating fibromyalgia.

They alter the way the brain and central nervous system process pain.

Antidepressant drugs

Antidepressants, such as nortriptyline and amitriptyline, can reduce pain and improve your sleep. They are usually prescribed at a lower dose compared to when they are used to treat depression but can still help with low mood at this lower dose.

Pregabalin and gabapentin

Gabapentin and pregabalin are used to treat nerve pain and have been shown to help some people. It may take six weeks before patients find that their pain has improved.

Side effects can include drowsiness, dizziness and weight gain.
 

Painkillers

Paracetamol — They can improve pain for some people with fibromyalgia but it isn't always effective.

Tramadol — Only available on prescription for short-term flare-ups, It can be addictive and people who take it must be carefully monitored. Other drug treatments might be safer and more effective.

Co-dydramol and co-codamol — These aren't usually recommended for more than three days as they are addictive due to their opiod content. They also contain paracetamol. These drugs mask pain and do not resolve the problem causing fibromyalgia.
 

If you will require treatment for fibromyalgia or any other pain-related condition mentioned in this article, we recommend contacting the highly experienced consultant pain medicine specialist, Dr Salmin Aseri. Visit his Top Doctors profile today for information on appointment availability.