People who suffer from fibromyalgia will typically consult a physician and seek a fibromyalgia medication for their pain. Fibromyalgia, an ailment that affects muscle joints in the neck, upper back, buttocks and more, usually affects women ages 35 to 55. Only 2 percent of the population in the United States is affected by this disorder and needs a fibromyalgia medication. Although a sufferer experiences tenderness in the muscles, tendons and joints, they don’t have inflammation. In similar disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, the pain comes from inflammation of the joints and muscles.

Because there is no inflammation, the body isn’t deformed and no organs are harmed. Although inflammation isn’t a symptom of fibromyalgia, a fibromyalgia medication is said to help with other symptoms. Typically, doctors will subscribe fibromyalgia medications like tricyclic antidepressants, although these are typically used for depression. A fibromyalgia medication is usually taken at bedtime.

A fibromyalgia medication is said to:

• Reduce fatigue, which affects 90 percent of those with fibromyalgia
• Relieve muscle pain
• Reduce spasms
• Help patients experience deep R.E.M. sleep
• Increase levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which affects a person’s mood

Some studies have also shown that if a fibromyalgia medication is taken with fluoxetine, it will also help reduce anxiety, feelings of depression, and muscle pain. Fluoxetine tends to cheer up patients and reduce feelings of tiredness. Still, there are alternative treatments to fibromyalgia medication:

• Local injections of cortisone in the areas where muscle joints are tender
• Patient education, which allows patients to cope with their ailment and understand how it is affecting their body
• Stress reduction is also important, since symptoms of fibromyalgia worsen during high stress
• Exercise is also said to be beneficial

Consult your physician to see if a fibromyalgia medication or alternative treatment is right for you. Each person’s fibromyalgia is different, hence requiring a different fibromyalgia medication and treatment.