Imagine enduring constant pain with no clear diagnosis or cause. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many of the four million Americans living with fibromyalgia, a chronic and often debilitating condition.
Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain, muscle stiffness, and joint aches throughout the body, accompanied by extreme fatigue. Despite extensive research, the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown. One prevailing theory suggests that a malfunction in the brain’s pain processing system amplifies normal nerve responses, causing pain and other symptoms without any apparent physical trigger.
Navigating Treatment Options
Finding effective treatment for fibromyalgia can be challenging. To improve your chances of success, it’s essential to consult with a doctor who is knowledgeable about the condition and can guide you through managing and treating it. Rheumatologists and pain specialists are typically experts in fibromyalgia, but many primary care physicians also diagnose and treat the condition.
Understanding Your Condition
The first step in managing fibromyalgia is to educate yourself about the disorder.
Fibromyalgia is a recognized condition, with diagnostic criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in 1990 and updated in 2010 and 2016. The most recent criteria include:
- Significant and widespread pain throughout the body.
- Severe symptoms, such as fatigue or “brain fog,” persist for at least three months.
- No other clear explanation for these symptoms.
While fibromyalgia often accompanies mental health issues like anxiety and depression, it is not caused by mental illness. Instead, it is related to abnormal brain function. Functional MRI scans reveal differences in how the brain processes pain in individuals with fibromyalgia.
Treatment Approaches
Effective management of fibromyalgia typically involves a combination of patient education, exercise, treatment of coexisting conditions (such as depression or sleep apnea), and medications. The FDA has approved three drugs specifically for fibromyalgia: pregabalin (Lyrica 75), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and milnacipran (Savella). However, other medications such as amitriptyline (Elavil), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), and gabapentin (Neurontin) are often used as first-line treatments due to their effectiveness in managing similar symptoms.
Finding the Right Healthcare Provider
To find a healthcare provider who can effectively treat your fibromyalgia, start with your primary care physician. If your doctor lacks experience with fibromyalgia, ask for a referral to a specialist, such as a rheumatologist or pain specialist. Support groups can also be a valuable resource for recommendations. The National Fibromyalgia Association website lists support groups and “fibro-friendly” doctors in various states.
Consider asking potential providers the following questions to determine if they are a good fit for your needs:
- How many patients with fibromyalgia do you currently treat?
- Do you offer telemedicine appointments?
- What types of services can be provided remotely, and which require an office visit?
If the answers do not meet your needs, don’t hesitate to seek other options.
Finding the right doctor for your fibromyalgia may take time, but the effort is worthwhile to improve your chances of effectively managing and alleviating your symptoms.
Other side effects of Lyrica may include:
- Dry mouth
- Confusion
- Edema
- Weight gain
- Bloating or gas
- Constipation
- Anxiety
- Swelling in hands or feet
- Balance disorder
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Back pain
- Increased appetite
- Muscle twitching
- Speech problems
- Blurred vision
- Weakness
- Exaggerated feeling of happiness or wellness
- Suicidal thoughts (only occurs in about 1 in 500 people)
Lyrica may also cause allergic reactions. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects or allergy symptoms after taking Lyrica:
- Difficulty breathing
- Rash
- Blisters
- Hives
- Swelling of the face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue, throat, or neck
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What to Discuss With Your Doctor First
Lyrica isn’t right for everybody. It can interact with some medications or medical conditions.
Tell your doctor all medications (including OTC), supplements, and vitamins you take.
Also tell your doctor if you:
- Have kidney problems or get kidney dialysis
- Have or have had mood problems, depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Have a low blood platelet count or a bleeding problem
- Have heart problems, including heart failure
- Have abused prescription medications, alcohol, or street drugs in the past
- Have ever had swelling of your mouth, gums, tongue, face, neck, lips, or throat
- Plan to father a child
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
Also talk to your doctor if you take:
- An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which is used to treat many conditions, like high blood pressure.
- Avandia (rosiglitazone), Avandamet (contains rosiglitazone and metformin), or Actos (pioglitazone), which are used for diabetes.
- Any narcotic pain medicine (like oxycodone), tranquilizers, or medicines for anxiety (like lorazepam).
The information in this article should not be substituted for a conversation with a medical professional about this medication, your symptoms, or your diagnosis.
Please Note: Lyrica cannot be prescribed online. You will need to meet with a physician in person for a medical evaluation to request a prescription for Lyrica.