Fibromyalgia

The continual pain you experience with fibromyalgia affects every aspect of your life and is physically and emotionally draining. If you're finding everything a struggle because of fibromyalgia, Wadid Zaky, MD, of Dr. Zaky Spine, Pain & Joint Center in Berlin, Maryland, offers comprehensive care and effective treatments. While no one can cure your pain, Dr. Zaky uses a variety of methods to ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Find out how he can help by calling Dr. Zaky Spine, Pain & Joint Center today or booking an appointment online.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a disorder of your musculoskeletal system that causes you to experience aching and pain all over your body. When you have fibromyalgia, the pain receptors in your nerves become highly sensitized, which causes you to feel an abnormal response to pain.

The reason why some people get fibromyalgia isn't clear, although there could be genetic factors and links to biochemical dysfunction, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory disease.

Typically, more women than men get fibromyalgia, and it's most likely to develop in middle or older age. Your risk of fibromyalgia increases if you have an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis or if other members of your family have the condition.

What symptoms might fibromyalgia cause?

The telltale symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic pain that spreads through all or most of your body and persists beyond three months. Other symptoms vary among patients but could include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Difficulties sleeping
• Depression and anxiety
• Headaches and migraines
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Restless leg syndrome
• Painful menstruation
• Thinking and memory problems

Thinking or cognition problems include difficulties making decisions, slowed processing in your brain, and confusion. These symptoms and issues with forgetfulness are common problems for people with fibromyalgia, so much so that they have their own name: fibro fog.

Many people with fibromyalgia also have other chronic disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, and lupus.

Diagnosing fibromyalgia typically consists of reviewing your symptoms and excluding other potential causes; there's no lab test for this disease.

How is fibromyalgia treated?

Treating fibromyalgia successfully is challenging. It's hard to target, and as of yet, there's no cure. However, Dr. Zaky can help by creating a comprehensive treatment plan. Your plan is personal to you, adapted to match your unique requirements and circumstances.

Approved medications for fibromyalgia include pregabalin, milnacipran, and duloxetine. Other treatments featured in your plan might include:

• Anti-inflammatory medicines
• Pain relief medications
• Antidepressants
• Anti-seizure medication
• Staying physically active
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Stress reduction strategies
• Heat treatments
• Therapeutic massage
• Counseling and pain management
• Getting quality sleep
• Healthy diet
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• IV therapy

Relaxation is also beneficial, as tension increases pain. Try meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or tai chi.

Living with the seemingly endless pain fibromyalgia causes can get you down, but with Dr. Zaky's help, you can find relief from your symptoms and regain your vitality. Find out how by calling Dr. Zaky Spine, Pain & Joint Center today or booking an appointment online.