Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia affects up to 5% of the world population today, primarily occurring in women. At Riverhills Neuroscience, the premier neurology, interventional pain management, rheumatology, and behavioral health specialists work together to help patients manage this complex disease. There are three Cincinnati, Ohio, area offices in Norwood, Westside, and Anderson, as well as an office in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. Call the nearest office or use the online contact form to get more information about fibromyalgia treatment today.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a neurosensory condition in which sufferers experience bodywide pain. Experts believe that people with fibromyalgia have a problem with how their brain processes pain signals, so it’s often called a pain regulation disorder. 

In many cases, fibromyalgia first appears following a physically traumatic event. Some examples include severe injuries, major surgery, and serious infections (such as Lyme disease). Emotional trauma can also be a fibromyalgia trigger. In fact, domestic abuse survivors are about twice as likely to develop fibromyalgia. 

Fibromyalgia affects about twice as many women as men.

What does fibromyalgia feel like?

The most persistent and disruptive fibromyalgia symptom is unusually severe pain. People with this condition often say the pain feels like burning, throbbing, or a deep ache. Unfortunately, pain is just one of the issues that fibromyalgia can cause. Some other symptoms include:

• Joint stiffness
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Fibro fog (brain fog)
• Memory problems

Along with the symptoms of fibromyalgia, many people with the condition experience other issues like migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and anxiety. People with rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory types of arthritis are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Is there a treatment that can help me?

Although there’s no permanent cure for fibromyalgia, there are many treatment options to relieve its symptoms. 

Fibromyalgia often requires a multidisciplinary approach because it affects so many parts of your body and mind. The elite team of multidisciplinary specialists at Riverhills Neuroscience treats many fibromyalgia patients successfully. 

Treatment focuses on resolving your fibromyalgia symptoms while also dealing with your co-occurring conditions. Common approaches are:

• Medication: antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, pain relievers, and others
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Mental health support like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Migraine treatments like Botox®
• Rheumatoid arthritis treatments like intravenous (IV) infusion therapy
• Stress management

Lifestyle changes can also play a major part in fibromyalgia treatment. Some changes that might be helpful as you progress through treatment include regular exercise, good nutrition, avoiding tobacco use, and stress-relieving practices like yoga.

Riverhills Neuroscience is staffed by the region’s foremost neuroscience specialists, including fibromyalgia experts who understand the condition and its frustrating effects. There are treatments that prevent fibromyalgia symptoms and improve your life quality, so call the office nearest you or click the online feature to learn more now.