Back Pain

Until a few years ago, unlike Back Pain, fibromyalgia was virtually unheard of.  The disease, though quite common, was not widely understood until recently.  Fortunately, people who live with fibromyalgia now have several treatment options available to them.

Facts About Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a form of arthritis.  It affects more than ten million Americans, so chances are pretty good that you know someone with the disease. Most fibromyalgia patients are women between the ages of 40 and 55.

Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is most often characterized by sensations of widespread pain and intense fatigue.  The actual symptoms of fibromyalgia are similar to those of other types of arthritis, making a positive diagnosis very difficult.  In fact, there was a time when doctors were not aware that the condition existed, but that's all changing.

The disease is now better known and more clearly understood by patients, doctors and the general public.  More and better treatment options are becoming available to help patients deal with this frustrating and often debilitating condition.

Controlling Fibromyalgia

The key to treatment is in your ability to control the symptoms of fibromyalgia.  There is no single treatment that will benefit every patient, because many people present the disease with unique combinations of symptoms.  There is an inconsistency of symptoms, making it even more difficult for doctors to properly treat the disease.  If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, your first step toward controlling the disease is to review your specific and unique symptoms with your doctor.

* Pain

If you suffer primarily with pain, like Back Pain, your doctor may focus the treatment on pain relieving medications and therapies.  When your doctor begins treating you with a new pain medication, he or she will probably start with the lowest dosage possible.  You'll need to be patient, as there may be an extended period of trial and error before you and your doctor can achieve the right level of medication to properly treat your symptoms.

Intense pain or pressure at a specific tender point can sometimes call for cortisone injections.  It's a proven method for effectively relieving pain in many fibromyalgia patients.

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