What are the treatments for fibromyalgia?

The fibromyalgia is a pathology which affects approximately 1.6% of French people. It is much more common in women than in men. Nearly 8 out of 10 cases of fibromyalgia concern women between 30 and 55 years old. The causes of the disease are not known. On the other hand, we know that people affected have an extreme sensitivity to pain.

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

The main symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic pain, present in all patients. Localized at the beginning of the pathology, it then extends to the whole body. The most painful areas are the neck, the shoulders, the area between the shoulders, the shoulder blades, the lower back and the hips. The characteristics of this pain differ greatly from patient to patient.

In nearly 80% of patients, the pain may be more severe on waking with a need to relax in the morning. Its intensity and location may vary during the day. It can be felt and characterized by tingling, numbness, burning, electric shocks or cramps. It is usually relieved by heat (hot bath) and rest.

Other symptoms are described as:

• intense fatigue (75% of patients);
• from sleeping troubles (60% of patients);
• cognitive disorders (75% of patients): attention, concentration, memory;
• migraines (50% of patients).

The impact on daily life depends on the intensity of the symptoms. It varies from person to person and can change over time in the same individual.

Is there a cure for fibromyalgia?

there is no treatment of the cause of the disease, which is still unknown. Fibromyalgia cannot be cured. On the other hand, in some people, fibromyalgia is transient and the patient may experience phases of calm. In addition, solutions exist to relieve the symptoms, on a case-by-case basis.

How is the treatment going?

The management of fibromyalgia is global and multidisciplinary if necessary (rheumatologists, neurologists, psychiatrists). It is also personalized, according to the symptoms experienced by the patient. This starts with training the patient: better understanding his pathology allows him to adopt the right behaviors to improve his quality of life on a daily basis.

The attending physician will decide what to do based on the person’s symptoms, their intensity, and their impact on daily activities. This will be reassessed regularly based on the benefits and potential adverse effects experienced by the patient.

Why is physical activity beneficial?

The activity physical plays a key role in the management of fibromyalgia. It has beneficial effects on pain and the feeling of fatigue. It allows to maintain the functional capacities and improves the feeling of well-being. Conversely, excessive physical inactivity increases the pain of the fibromyalgia patient. It is recommended to practice at least 30 minutes of physical exercise per day, starting slowly, then gradually increasing the intensity and frequency of the sessions.

What painkillers are available?

In the absence of sufficient improvement in the patient’s state of health through physical exercise, drug treatment may be offered. From painkillers level II such as tramadol, antiepileptics such as pregabalin or gabapentinor even antidepressants low doses such as duloxetine or amitryptiline may be indicated. These treatments are only offered as second-line treatment because of their significant adverse effects: nausea, drowsinessdizziness, weight gain…

What is the use of psychological help?

For some patients, the disease has a very significant impact on daily life: inability to work, couple or family problem… Psychological help may be advised, on a case-by-case basis.