Do you experience stiffness, muscle tenderness and joint and tendons pain? People who suffer from fibromyalgia a non-life threatening condition experiences the above symptoms along with anxiety, depression, restless sleep, tiredness, and bowel problem. If you are wondering about living with fibromyalgia entails, read on.

By the way, if you have read my previous post about fibromyalgia then you know that this is a continuation. The first part of my fibromyalgia post discussed the causes and symptoms of the heath problem in details, so I’ll be discussing in details how fibromyalgia diagnosed as well as the possible treatment or what you can do to cope with it.

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

The problem with having fibromyalgia is not just the pains that come with it, but not knowing you had it make the problem worst. Yes! You read it right most people suffering from fibromyalgia don’t know they had it. They believe the discomfort or pains in the joints are caused by arthritis even though fibromyalgia do not cause inflammation of joints the one characteristic that differentiate the two health problems.

X-rays or blood tests cannot truly say if you have fibromyalgia or not, but they are still done to ensure that you are not just suffering from other health problems. In other words, tests are conducted to exclude other possible causes of your pains and stiffness. So, how can doctors confirm you have fibromyalgia? The doctors can confirm based on physical examination and history.

For example, a person suffering from chronic body pain will undergo a physical examination to determine if they have fibromyalgia or just suffering from arthritis or other medical conditions. Doctor’s will identify the classic tender points typically this is how fibromyalgia is diagnosed. If the doctors find no accompanying inflammation or swelling on the tender points, and by excluding other possible conditions that mimic the symptoms of fibromyalgia and that the muscle pain are present for over three months then doctors can finally confirm you are indeed suffering from this discomforting health problem.

If you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, your doctor can advise you with possible treatments to relieve the symptoms only since there is no cure to this health problem. The treatments vary according to the symptoms you are experiencing. No treatment can be the same for all sufferers. The treatment program is individualized according to the patient’s history, pains and comfort. However, the most effective treatment programs are combined with education, regular exercise, stress reduction and medications.

It is important to educate the patients of their condition, so they know what to expect and what to do in case they are in pain. Physical therapist and physician can only do so much, the success of the treatment still depends on the patient coping mechanism.

Fibromyalgia Treatments

Education

Educating the patients about their condition is the first step in helping them. If you are suffering from fibromyalgia, it is crucial that you understand your condition and how to cope with the different symptoms. Bear in mind that education does not only comes from your doctor because it can also come from a support group. Joining support groups can help you understand better your condition and most importantly, you can learn a lot from other people who are experiencing the symptoms but managing the pains and discomfort excellently.

Stress Reduction

Patient of fibromyalgia experience different levels of pain every day. It is hard to measure the pain that a person experience from time to time. For some people, difficulty in walking is common. That’s why, treatment is individualized to better help patients cope with fibromyalgia.

So, how to reduce the stress since it triggers or make the problem worse. Psychological counseling, relaxation and change of environment can help reduce stress level. Take note, weather, temperature and even noise can make the symptoms even more discomforting, so it is encouraged that you stay away from things that make your pains even more painful. Proper rest is advice so sleep is encouraged to feel better.

Exercise

If you are suffering from fibromyalgia you need regularly exercise. Low impact exercise is good for managing muscle pain. Regularly exercising, let say three times a week can help decrease the level of discomfort that muscle pains gives you. So what are low impact exercises? Aerobics, walking, cycling and swimming are just some of the low impact exercises that you can do to effectively manage your fibromyalgia symptoms.

Diet
 
There is no evidence suggesting that food trigger pains cause by fibromyalgia, but it does not mean that you should just eat anything you wish. It is also important that you watch what you eat and the way it impact you. If a certain food aggravates your muscle pains and other symptoms then it is best to avoid eating it. Keeping a food journal will help you know the best food to eat and make you sleep comfortably as sleeping is your best friend when you are suffering from fibromyalgia.

Medications for Fibromyalgia

In old days, the recommended medications for fibromyalgia are tricyclic antidepressants it seems the medication appear to lessen the muscle pain, reduce fatigue and help people sleep. Examples of traditionally used medications are Elavil, doxepin, and Prozac. In 2007, Lyrica a medication made for treating fibromyalgia has been released in the market. Pregabalin (Lyrica) is an effective medication for stopping nerve pain. Other recently approved medications are Milnacipran (Savella) and Duloxetine (cymbalta) these are powerful medications and prescribed to treat fibromyalgia.

Some people are also injected with cortisone medication or analgesics in tender points to relieve painful muscle pains and to break muscle spasm.

Fibromyalgia Natural Treatments

Some people suffering from fibromyalgia prefer an alternative solution to medications. They feel a holistic treatment is better than constantly take cymbalta or lyrica. Holistic therapy can influence total well being and improve sleep which help reduce the pain. Mixing holistic with medication is a good idea.

Acupuncture is another alternative treatment for fibromyalgia.

According to studies acupuncture appears to alter brain chemistry, making a person more pain tolerant. Acupuncture does not reduce the pain, what it does is simply increase a person’s tolerance for pain that their chronic pain had been alleviated for a week.

Laser Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture

Electroacupuncture works the same way as the traditional acupuncture for it also stimulate the acupuncture points. However, the needles uses for acupuncture are hooked up to wires that are connected to electrical currents. Laser acupuncture, on the other hand, also uses the acupuncture points, but no needles involved only laser lights.

Chiropractic Therapy

Chiropractic Care is also an alternative treatment for fibromyalgia. People who are experiencing back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, headaches, and musculoskeletal pains feel good after Chiropractic treatment. It is also an alternative treatment for fibromyalgia since chiropractic helps reduces pain levels and fixes the spinal or lumbar area. It is a popular treatment not just for fibromyalgia but also for other illnesses.

Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is also an alternative treatment for reducing muscle pains and easing pain in the muscles. Some people who get a massage feel good after as the pressure on the muscle relieves the pain so much that they even sleep soundly after the massage therapy.

Living with Fibromyalgia

People who have fibromyalgia should not lose hope since it is not life threatening just painful and discomforting. With proper sleep, exercise, diet and alternatives ways for reducing pain, you can live and manage fibromyalgia. There are many ways to reduce pain and discomfort, boosting body energy and immune system are also one of them.

In fact, taking healthy drinks and supplements can also help you live with fibromyalgia as you can reduce fatigue, sleep well and feel more relaxed.

Forever Living Products has a wide range of energy boosting products that fights anxiety, depression, fatigue, stress and pains.

Below are some of the Forever Living Products that you can use to make your day to day activities pleasant despite the fact you are fibromyalgia patients.

Aloe Vera Gel

 

Aloe Vera Gel is a health drink which uses aloe vera as the main ingredients. Taking 1 to 2 glasses a day of Aloe Vera Gel helps improve immune system, stop inflammation, stabilizes blood sugar, enhances the skin, lower cholesterol and also relieves muscle and joint pain.

Forever Freedom

Forever Freedom is good for slowing down joint wear, other signs of aging and improving soft tissue conditions.

Aloe MSM Gel

Some people who experience mild pain can take advantage of Aloe MSM Gel. The gel is great for soothing pain and provides relief even for a short time.

ALOE HEAT LOTION

Aloe Heat is another Forever Living Products that you can use to relief joint inflammation, arthritis and body pain. You can reduce tiredness and muscle pain after a day’s work with aloe heat lotion.

For more information about Forever Living Products, visit our website by clicking the link.