Living With Fibromyalgia: Internet Survey Offers Insight

For people living with fibromyalgia, results from an Internet survey offer insight. Nearly 3,000 fibromyalgia patients, ranging in age from 17 to 77 years old, participated in an online survey conducted by the National Fibromyalgia Association. Complete and detailed results from the survey were published in the March 2007 issue of the journal, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. The most common problems reported by the fibromyalgia patients were:

• morning stiffness
• fatigue
• non-restorative sleep
• pain
• low back pain
• concentration
• memory fog

Aggravating factors included: emotional distress, weather changes, insomnia, and strenuous activity. According to responders, effective ways of managing fibromyalgia symptoms include:

• rest
• heat
• prayer
• massage
• pool therapy
• prescription medications (pain medications, antidepressants, and sleep medications)

The most commonly used medications were: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, cyclobenzaprine, amitriptyline, and aspirin. The medications perceived to be the most effective were: hydrocodone preparations, alprazolam, oxycodone preparations, zolpidem, cyclobenzaprine, and clonazepam.

Related Resources:

• Fibromyalgia Screening Quiz
• Fast Facts About Fibromyalgia
• Test Your Knowledge: Fibromyalgia
• 7 Steps to Help Manage Fibromyalgia

~ By Carol & Richard Eustice, About.com Guides to Arthritis / Osteoarthritis

_{Photo by Richard Hobson (iStockphoto)}