Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia: Now What?

Managing the Symtoms of Fibromyalgia Takes a Team Effort

Oct 8, 2009

Getting a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is just the beginning. Now it's time to create a team of medical professionals to work with the patient to manage symptoms.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, fibromyalgia is defined as a chronic condition, characterized by widespread pain and fatigue that is estimated to affect up to 2% of the population, mostly women. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia is still a misunderstood disease with no specific treatment or cure. So what is someone who is newly diagnosed to do?

It is important to realize that though there no cure for fibromyalgia, this does not mean there is no hope. Many patients have found relief from a variety of sources that allow them to manage their symptoms and have a productive and happy life. The key is to be an educated patient who keeps looking for answers.

While the medical community is finally coming around to understanding that fibromyalgia is a “real” disease, there is still little known about it. There are no definitive medical tests, and often the diagnosis is based on patient history instead of blood tests. This leads many patients to a frustrating path of trying to find a treatment that works for them

Rather than relying on just one doctor, the best bet is to be an educated patient who has a team of professionals working for her. There are many websites dedicated to the topic, including the fibromyalgia health center at Web MD and the National Fibromyalgia Association that can be used to create a list of questions for the treatment team.

Creating a Fibromyagia Treatment Team

It may take trial and error to find one, but there are doctors out there who are becoming experts in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Patients should be aggressive in their search for a medical professional and not settle for someone who tells them “it’s all in your head.” Women who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia should keep looking until they find a doctor who is willing to work with them as part of a team.

For those who chose a medication route, the pharmacist can be a wealth of information. While there are now drugs that are touted as being treatments specifically for fibromyalgia, they do have side effects. One of the characteristics of fibromyalgia is a sensitivity to medications, so communication with the pharmacist is crucial.

Depression and stress are common reactions for anyone suffering form a long-term illness and those suffering from fibromyalgia are no different. In addition, fibromyalgia can be exacerbated by stress, which makes learning coping skills even more crucial. Finding a mental health profession trained in dealing with chronic illness or pain management is vital to successfully living with fibromyalgia.

Many fibromyalgia patients seek care through naturopathic or chiropractic doctors, massage treatments and acupuncture. While no specific studies exist as to the effectiveness of these treatments, anecdotal evidence from patients who have chosen these routes is encouraging.

Though fibromyalgia is a chronic disease, there are treatment options available and it is important that the fibromyalgia sufferer take a look at all options. New studies on fibromyalgia are coming out yearly and updates in treatments are being constantly advanced. Patients who educate themselves and create a treatment team can look forward to days when the fibromyalgia may be simply a nuisance rather than a life sentence.

The copyright of the article Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia: Now What? in Women’s Health is owned by Kelly Sharp. Permission to republish Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia: Now What? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.