Psychiatrist
Publication date: 06 February 2017
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by complex and highly variable symptoms from person to person.
How fibromyalgia begins
The most commonly reported symptoms of suspected fibromyalgia are:
- pain spread throughout the body
- muscle tension in numerous areas of the body (tender points and trigger points)
- asthenia
- alterations in sensitivity (very often an excessive perception of stimuli is experienced)
- sleep disorders
- anxious and depressive states.
The pain occurs mainly in the spine, shoulders, pelvic girdle, arms, wrists and thighs. Typically, fibromyalgia pain is not reduced with the use of “traditional” painkillers and fibromyalgia is extremely debilitating over time, interfering with the social and working functioning of the affected subject.
What to do in case of fibromyalgia
In the past, a diagnosis of fibromyalgia was rarely made and even more rarely a cure was offered to the subjects who suffered from it. Fortunately, things have changed.
In particular, scientific research has shown a reduction in serotonin levels in fibromyalgia subjects: serotonin ,it would also be responsible for the onset of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
What are the drugs to treat fibromyalgia?
Antidepressants perform their action by modifying the levels of serotonin, which is why they have very often become the first step in the pharmacological treatment of fibromyalgia .
Nowadays there are several molecules available, usually antidepressants are preferredselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, e.g. citalopram, paroxetine, sertraline) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs, duloxetine and venlafaxine).
The use of these drugs allows to simultaneously reduce painful and psychic symptoms (anxiety, depression and sleep disorders). This therapeutic path is undertaken after a careful evaluation of the symptoms and an effective diagnosis of fibromyalgia by the doctor.
13 comments
# 1
User 435XXX
February 12, 2017
Good morning, for a pain that I have for some time on my left side and after having performed a colonoscopy and many analyzes, the gastroenterologist himself prescribed me a preparation with 50mg of spasmomen and 5 mg of amitriptaline … I haven’t started therapy yet because the side effects of antidepressants scare me a bit. You think the doses are bearable
. I have to take two a day. Thank you very much
# 2
Psychiatrist
February 13, 2017
Good morning Mrs. Antidepressants enjoy a very bad reputation. In reality, they are like those people that everyone talks badly about without actually knowing them. Like all drugs, antidepressants also have their strengths and weaknesses, honestly I have never met anyone who absolutely defined the side effects of these drugs as “unbearable”. Often, however, they are not managed correctly, for example in some cases they are underdosed. Furthermore, the response to the drug is purely subjective.
As for the therapy that the gastroenterologist colleague has prescribed for you, I believe that you can give you particular problems, obviously it is very difficult to give an opinion not knowing you and your clinical history.
My advice is to contact an expert, who will surely be able to answer all your questions and accompany you on the treatment path.
# 3
User 435XXX
February 13, 2017
Thank you very much … I’m very anxious. I’ll discuss it with the doctor. Thanks again and have a nice day.
# 4
User 404XXX
22 February 2017
Good morning … I have been fibromyalgia for about 10 years … initially taking Elopram (10 drops a day) I had great benefits, but now after 10 years I hardly feel the benefits anymore … maybe it would be better to change and opt for the SSNRI
# 5
Psychiatrist
February 22, 2017
Good morning. In fact, one could try to modify the therapy. There are essentially two strategies: 1) optimize the existing one 2) opt for a molecule change, in this case a ssnri would certainly be indicated.
The choice must obviously be agreed with his psychiatrist.
# 6
User 404XXX
22 February 2017
Good morning Doctor thank you for your answer … the SSNRIs also act on panic attacks
# 7
Psychiatrist
22 February 2017
Yes, they are also indicated for the treatment of anxiety.
# 8
User 404XXX
February 22, 2017
Thanks doctor. ..I would kindly ask you if over time the antidepressants lose their effectiveness after so many years of taking them
Or I am a separate case
# 9
User 440XXX
February 27, 2017
good morning doctor:
for almost two years I have been using antidepressants for depression and anxiety syndrome; I changed several, duloxetine, paroxetine, vortioxetine and now I have been under treatment for 45 days with entact 10 drops.
at the same time I have annoying pains (also present for several years) in the neck, neck muscles, thighs, knees in flexion, lower back, buttocks, ankle, occasional constipation problems, little physical resistance and low resistance to pain.
well, there are many side effects of antidepressants, but if needed I could increase the dose of the current drops.
according to her it could be fibromyalgia
there are tests such as electromyography or specific blood tests
. I am just under 40 years old and honestly it is not very nice to live in pain and antidepressants … thanks
# 10
User 440XXX
February 27, 2017
I forgot, a nsri type eferox could be better
thanks
# 11
Psychiatrist
February 27 2017
Good morning Madam, for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia should contact the rheumatologist. At that point, a therapeutic path could be re-evaluated.
# 12
User 375XXX
June 27, 2017
Dear Doctor, I have been diagnosed with severe fibromyalgia for 4 months, I have been on therapy for a week with the antidepressant Laroxyl, 5 drops in the evening and 3 in the morning, and muscle relaxant as needed. I wanted to know if I can add Griffonia to increase seratonin and get a little better in a short time, since it was 2 years before the diagnosis, and I have throbbing pains all day (intense burning). explained nothing about the pathology (I read many articles), and gave me no advice. Thanks for the attention!
# 13
User 208XXX
September 29, 2017
Hello doctor
I would like to know if the Triptych is a good drug to treat fibromyalgia or there are better ones. I take a 150 mg tablet in the evening but as a side effect it gives me a decrease or better lack of libido and anorgasmia.
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