Frequently Asked Questions About Fibromyalgia
Will herbs or supplements help?
Because supplements are not required to undergo the same safety and effectiveness testing as pharmaceutical drugs, there is not enough evidence about most of them to know whether they work or not. However, researchers are beginning to investigate supplements to see if their claims are valid and if these products have a role in treating fibromyalgia.
Supplements that may help fibromyalgia are listed below. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor before trying them. As with medications, herbs and nutritional supplements can have side effects, which can be serious, and they aren’t right for everyone.
SAM-e (S-adenosylmethioline) – a naturally occurring compound in cells that helps the body produce and regulate hormones and other biochemical substances that affect mood. SAME-e may relieve pain as well as NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) do and several studies have found that SAM-e eases depression, leading some doctors to believe it may benefit people with fibromyalgia.
Magnesium and malic acid – Magnesium is a mineral found in nuts and whole grains. Malic acid is found in apples and other fruits. Together, these supplements may offer relief from the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia. According to some studies, people with fibromyalgia have low levels of magnesium or ATP, a phosphate that provides a source of energy in the body. The muscle pain common in fibromyalgia could be the result of too little ATP. Both magnesium and malic acid are involved in more effective production of ATP.
St. John’s Wort – Although scientists don’t know exactly how or how well this popular herbal supplement works, it may raise levels of serotonin, the brain chemical associated with depression and often found in lower-than-normal levels in people with fibromyalgia.
Chlorella Pyrenoidosa – In one two-month study of 18 people with fibromyalgia, researchers at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond found that chlorella, an algae, improved symptoms in seven of the 18; however, most of the patients also developed diarrhea and abdominal cramping. In a larger study of 55 people with fibromyalgia, the researchers found that chlorella supplements relieved symptoms and improved quality of life. Still, more research is needed.
For more on nutritional supplements for fibromyalgia and other arthritis-related conditions, see Arthritis Today's Supplement Guide.
Is there a special diet for fibromyalgia?
Since the symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary from day to day, it’s natural to think that what you ate yesterday may have caused or reduced the pain you feel today. But research has not proven that any specific foods can affect fibromyalgia.
Eating a good, balanced diet helps your body function at its best. Following a balanced diet can help you feel better, stay healthy, prevent chronic diseases such as some cancers and cardiovascular disease, and be a positive step toward managing your fibromyalgia.
Following are some tips for making your diet healthier:
* Eat a variety of foods.
* Eat less fat and cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that people limit fat intake to no more than 30 percent of their calories, and no more than 10 percent should be from saturated fat.
* Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
* Use salt and sugar sparingly
* Drink alcohol only in moderation
How can I improve my sleep?
Scientific studies demonstrate that between 60 percent and 90 percent of people with fibromyalgia have abnormal sleep patterns. You may find it hard to fall asleep and/or wake up frequently once you do. Or you may wake up in the morning feeling as if you haven’t slept at all.
Such sleep problems may be more than a sign of fibromyalgia – they may be a cause of it. Often improving sleep helps other fibromyalgia symptoms.
You can begin by eliminating factors that may contribute to sleep problems. Make your bedroom a restful place. Address problems of excessive heat, cold, light or noise and make the bedroom the most comfortable haven possible. Next, see if any of the following could be interfering with your sleep:
* Medications – Ironically, medications designed to help you sleep can produce an abnormal form of sleep, leaving you unrefreshed and groggy the next day. Other medications that can interfere with sleep include corticosteroids, some cold medicines and headache medications containing caffeine.
* Foods – Eating foods that cause indigestion can interfere with sleep, as can foods and drinks containing caffeine.
* Smoking – Nicotine stimulates the nervous system, making it more difficult to fall asleep. New research suggests that nicotine withdrawal (because you’re not smoking while you sleep) can also lead to sleep problems.
* Drinking alcohol – While a drink before bedtime may help you get to sleep, it can interfere with your ability to stay asleep.
* Stress and pain – Either of these can make it more difficult to fall asleep and/or stay asleep.
If you still need help sleeping after modifying these factors, speak with your doctor about medications that can help alleviate the sleep problems associated with fibromyalgia. The most commonly used ones are tricyclic antidepressants or benzodiazepines including zolpidem (Ambien), florazepam (Dolmane), temazepam (Restoril), oxazepam (Serax), quazepan (Doral) and estazolam (ProSom).
Click here to learn more about improving your sleep.
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