When dealing with chronic fibromyalgia, it is vitally imperative to organize out your events and plan your schedule beforehand because fibro is an irritating syndrome can mess up those plans if they lean toward being last minute. You see, fibromyalgia is a sickness…well, it is not actually an sickness. The medical field doctors of rheumatology have decided that fibromyalgia is to be defined as a syndrome or disorder and without a cure, it is something that you can live with though it creates daily hurt and stiffness. Fibromyalgia causes issues with the muscle-skeletal systems of the body as well as the joints by which they are attached. Though it has many symptoms that go along with it, fibromyalgia is described by one single word – Pain. The pain has been described as a burning pain, deep ache, tingling in the hands and feet and even searing, shooting pain.

 

How Can You Know For Sure?

 

Everyone who suffers from fibromyalgia has heard of the tender points test. This is a test where doctors apply pressure to 18 locations on the body; eleven of these 18 tender points needs to be reacted to for a positive fibromyalgia diagnosis. The patient must also have experienced widespread body pain for a minimum of three months; however, recently a new idea has come up to diagnose fibromyalgia that can help pinpoint an accurate diagnosis at a quicker pace. The new in office test takes a widespread pain index coupled with a symptom severity scale should help lead to more diagnoses and treatment. The pain index is a 19 item checklist. The possible fibromyalgia sufferer marks the number of body parts when pain has been experienced during the last week. The symptom scale puts together the three most complain about symptoms, un-refreshing sleep, fatigue and cognitive issues. These symptoms are rated on a scale of zero to three. The new test is actually effective in diagnosing fibromyalgia without any physical exam. The symptoms of fibromyalgia are important and that is what this condition relies upon to diagnose.

 

 

Common Anti-Depressants Used For Fibro Treatment

 

Two common anti-depressants that are often prescribed by doctors for those that suffer from fibromyalgia would include depression meds and antidepressant medications. These two medications are able to decrease pain for fibromyalgia. They can also help increase energy, decrease anxiety, help with alertness and improve depression. This is great since those are common symptoms for those struggling with fibromyalgia. depression meds and antidepressant medications are not typically used for fibromyalgia patients who have been clinically depressed. During the medication study, researchers followed patients for six months, so they are still unsure on how well depression meds and antidepressant medications will work for long term use. SO use them with caution knowing the side effects and notifying your primary care physician of any side effect persist as they could harm you rather than help.

 

v  antidepressant medications – One group of anti-depressants is called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. antidepressant medications is a common prescription medication that is given from the SSRI category. Common side effects of antidepressant medications should not become persistent or bothersome. They should become manageable or go away shortly after beginning antidepressant medications. After several weeks and months of being on antidepressant medications, the body can begin to experience several complications some of which are serious and will require medical attention. Severe side effects of antidepressant medications include:

• Rash
• Chest Pain
• Hives
• Itching
• Difficulty breathing
• Tightness in the chest
• Decreased Concentration
• Persistent or severe ringing in the ears
• Persistent, painful erection
• Seizures
• Fever, chills or sore throat
• Hallucinations
• Memory Loss
• New or worsening mental or mood changes
• Severe or persistent anxiety or trouble sleeping
• Tremor
• Decreased Coordination
• Exaggerated Reflexes
• Unusual bleeding
• Vision changes
• Worsening of depression

v  depression meds – depression meds is in a drug group of anti-depressants. While doctors and manufacturers are uncertain why depression meds does help with fibromyalgia symptoms; it could be because many fibromyalgia sufferers also suffer from depression. Common side effects should not become persistent or bothersome. Severe side effects of depression meds though can become life threatening. If a fibromyalgia patient begins to suffer from any of these severe side effects, he or she should immediately seek the help of a healthcare professional. Refer to the above list for any severe side effects that may occur with depression meds as well, since antidepressant medications and depression meds share similar side effects.