Quick Diagnosis, Fibromyalgia Relief

It is important that you know exactly what is fibromyalgia, and what the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia are. This knowledge will enable you to seek diagnosis and treatment quickly if you need it.

What is Fibromyalgia?

If you have fibromyalgia you will notice a chronic pain that is widespread. You will also notice that your pain is heightened by an increased response to gentle stimuli.

This increased response to stimuli is what sets fibromyalgia apart from other chronic pain conditions. That said, there are a number of other symptoms of fibromyalgia you may experience if you have this condition.

Some of the other signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia would include extreme fatigue, sleep pattern disturbances, breathing problems, difficulty swallowing, bladder irregularities, numbness, tingling of the hands and feet, dizziness, headaches, facial pain, TMJ, and grinding of the teeth.

These physical symptoms of fibromyalgia may be coupled with signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia that are not physical.

The most common non-physical symptom of this condition would be depression. However, you may also experience anxiety, stress, mood swings, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and confusion.

These non-physical signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia are just as important as the physical symptoms when it comes to diagnosis.

Getting a Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

Unfortunately, it can be somewhat difficult to get a fibromyalgia diagnosis. Fibromyalgia is hard to diagnose because there is no uniform set of criteria that is used by doctors.

In addition to this, there is no one lab tests that can provide a yes or no answer for diagnosis. Fibromyalgia often mimics a number of other disorders on lab tests.

For this reason, most doctors will rule out any other likely causes of your symptoms of fibromyalgia before they provide you with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

Relief from Fibromyalgia

Once you have been given a diagnosis, fibromyalgia is a very treatable condition. Treatment of the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia centers around pain management. This is achieved using a multidisciplinary approach. That means that your doctor will use a combination of medication and therapy to help you achieve optimal relief.

The medication they prescribe will either be a pain reliever like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin or Tramadol. They may also prescribe an opioid pain reliever like Morphine or Hydrocodone. Antidepressants and anticonvulsants are often used because they block pain signals.

Doctors also use therapies to treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Therapies can be quite successful in treatment after you get your diagnosis. Fibromyalgia often steals your mobility and things like physical therapy, massage therapy and chiropractic manipulation can help you significantly improve your daily life.

Treatments like this are more successful when they are started early on that is why it so important for your to seek diagnosis of this disorder as soon as you display and of the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Ultram Story: Keeping Pain Control Under Control

When Aspirin Isn’t Enough

It’s surprising how clearly we can recall getting hurt. Years later, we can recount our first fall from a too-tempting tree, a bee-sting, the birth of a child. We can even tell humorous stories about those events because the pain was transient – it passed.

But many illnesses and conditions can make pain a daily visitor, interfering with our jobs, family lives, even sleep. Even ancient people tried to relieve the devastation of chronic pain using surgeries and medicinal herbs. By the 1800s, people started using narcotics (drugs like opium) to reduce pain. Even the narcotic heroin was originally developed as a pain medication! But many narcotics were found to be addictive, to interfere with digestion and mood, and even to slow or stop breathing!

Fortunately for us, modern research has uncovered safer pain-relief drugs for chronic conditions. One of these drugs is Ultram (the generic drug Ultram contains is called tramadol). Ultram’s effect on your body is similar to the effect of narcotics and is as effective in relieving pain. But since it isn’t a narcotic, it doesn’t have as many of the side-effects which have made medical narcotic use so dangerous.

The Wonder Woman of Pain Control?

Ultram can help manage pain from many sources, just like comic-book superheroes can foil thieves, kidnappers, and polluters! Ultram can reduce pain from cancer, spinal problems (kyphosis, scoliosis), arthritis –even surgery !. Some physicians report using it to help people with severe, chronic headaches and endometriosis.

The Dark Side of Ultram

While Ultram is not a narcotic, both physicians and patients have reported cases of dependence on it. Signs of dependence (addiction) include getting tolerant to the dose (not getting the effect you used to from one pill), a continuing feeling that the dose needs to be increased, and withdrawal symptoms (sleeplessness, jitteriness, mood disorders) if you stop taking the drug. Checking in with your physician regularly while on this medication helps both of you notice any symptoms of addiction so you can stop any problems before they start!

The other effects of Ultram tend to be mild and transient. You might notice dizziness, drowsiness, stomach or intestinal distress (usually constipation). People taking Ultram are discouraged from driving – driving under it’s influence is a bit like driving after having a few drinks. Ultram requires a prescription, so while you’re talking with your doctor about using it, schedule a regular time to discuss any side-effects or difficulties you experience while on this medication.

Control the Medication - Don’t Let It Control You

How can you benefit from this drug while minimizing its risks? First, when deciding whether to start on Ultram, be candid with your physician about any dependence issues with alcohol or other drugs you’ve had. People who have struggled with other addictions may be more susceptible to Ultram dependence. Remember - your physician is on your side and telling her about your history will help her tailor pain medications to your needs!

Second, be aware that Ultram is pretty powerful stuff and treat it with respect! Any change in dose should be discussed with your doctor; mild drowsiness at one dose can become a deadly blackout in another. Never “lend” this drug to a friend, even if he’s in great pain – what works for you could be fatal for him.

Thirdly, make sure that you tell your physician about other drugs you’re taking: many drugs (including alcohol and over-the-counter medications) can enhance the effect of Ultram, making it act like you’re taking a much bigger dose.