When many FMS symptoms occur all at once, it can be overwhelming.  This variety of symptoms makes it difficult for the average fibromyalgia patient to get a good handle on symptom management.  It's not easy, but fortunately, for most people, some very basic treatments can cover many FMS symptoms all at once, which reduces the need for excessive medication or overly-complicated treatment plans.
Established Treatments

Most contemporary FMS treatment plans include elements from at least the following three broad areas:  medication, exercise/movement and physical therapies, and stress management.

Medications:  Mainstream

Tricyclic antidepressants are some of the most commonly prescribed medications for FMS, because
as a side-effect of their intended purpose (as anti-depressants), they tend to induce a deeper, better-quality sleep, particularly in the delta (stage 4) portion of the sleep cycle.

Other mainstream medications, that are typically prescribed for FMS, include:  muscle relaxants, pain relief medications, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds (for use as an analgesic; at this time, FMS is not thought to be an inflammatory condition).   Some doctors even prescribe anti-seizure medications, to not only treat the sensations of numbness and tingling but to encourage better-quality sleep and to relieve pain.

When it comes to medication, people with fibromyalgia must try different medicines, in different combinations, until they find the right combination that works for them.  It pays to give your medication a good chance before giving up on it.


Medications:  Alternative or Complimentary

Not much is going to be said here about herbal or vitamin supplements, or the substances associated with homeopathy. There are many reliable web sites that address alternative medications and treatment regimens.  A good search engine can lead you to them.  And, even though people seem to be better informed about herbal and other alternative medications these days, it pays to keep in mind that just because something is "natural" doesn't mean that it's safe.  If an herb or supplement it is strong enough to have a good effect, then potentially it's strong enough to have a bad one, as well.  Before starting to use any alternative medication or supplement, be sure to research the substance's properties, and potential side effects and interactions with other medications. 

Exercise/Movement and Physical Therapies

Traditional Exercise:  stretching & mild aerobics

Most people with fibromyalgia respond well to gentle stretching and mild aerobic exercise. For best results, any type of stretching, that you choose to do, should be appropriate for people with fibromyalgia (i.e., not too extreme, and stretching that doesn't require excessive twisting, overreaching or holding a pose too long).  And, mild aerobic exercise should also be just that.....very mild.