6. How do antidepressants ease my symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Some antidepressants have other effects too, Dr. Crofford says. The neurotransmitters they increase — serotonin and norepinephrine — also influence the way the brain responds to pain.
7. Are there medications to avoid?
People with fibromyalgia shouldn't take opioids, including prescription pain medicines, such as Vicodin (acetaminophen and hydrocodone) and Oxycontin (oxycodone), she says.
"These medications actually contribute to the persistence of chronic pain," she says. "They change the way your brain and spinal cord processes pain. When you stop them, there's a rebound effect."
This means your symptoms may actually worsen after you stop taking the drugs.
8. Will I need to make lifestyle changes?
Yes. Patients with the best results combine drug and non-drug therapies, Dr. Clauw says.
"You can't just rely on pills," Dr. Crofford adds.
For example, exercise is as important as medication. Inactivity disrupts the body's natural rhythms and causes sleep problems, says Crofford. It actually leads to fatigue as well as deconditioning (muscle weakness), making daily activities more likely to cause injury and pain.
Overall, "staying in bed is one of the worst things you can do," she says.
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