Summary of "Fibromialgia | DrauzioCast"

Summary of Key Wellness Strategies, Self-Care Techniques, and Productivity Tips for Fibromyalgia

Understanding Fibromyalgia:

Fibromyalgia is a clinical condition characterized by diffuse, migratory pain affecting multiple body regions.
Commonly affects women aged 40-50 years, possibly linked to hormonal changes.
Pain usually starts mild/moderate and progressively worsens.
Accompanied by fatigue (90% of cases), mental fog ("fibrofog"), anxiety, depression, and other symptoms like irritable bowel syndrome and overactive bladder.
Diagnosis is clinical and often delayed due to lack of specific tests and misconceptions about the condition.

Key Wellness and Self-Care Strategies

Early Medical Consultation:
- Seek medical help if pain persists for more than 3-6 months.
- Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent worsening and improve quality of life.
Sleep Hygiene:
- Improving sleep quality is a priority.
- Screening for sleep apnea may be necessary.
- Better sleep helps reduce fatigue and pain perception.
Physical Activity:
- Low-impact aerobic exercises (walking, cycling, swimming, water aerobics, hydrotherapy) are recommended.
- Start slowly and gradually increase intensity and duration.
- Isometric exercises and weight training help maintain muscle mass and strength.
- Physical activity promotes release of neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine) improving mood, sleep, and pain modulation.
- Professional guidance (e.g., personal trainer, physiotherapist) is ideal to ensure safety and adherence.
Multimodal Treatment Approach:
- Combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies is essential.
- Medications include:
  - Pregabalin and Gabapentin (anticonvulsants) to reduce nerve pain transmission.
  - Duloxetine (antidepressant) for pain and mood symptoms.
  - Cyclobenzaprine (muscle relaxant) for muscular pain relief.
  - Short-term use of analgesics or opioids for acute pain crises.
- Medication effects take time (weeks to months), requiring patient education to improve adherence.
Acupuncture:
- Stimulates peripheral and autonomic nervous systems.
- Promotes release of endogenous opioids and neurotransmitters that inhibit pain.
- Provides analgesic effects and improves autonomic balance.
- Should be part of a broader, multidisciplinary treatment plan.
Psychotherapy:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can improve coping, mood, and quality of life.
Patient Education and Self-Care:
- Patients should be empowered as active participants in their treatment.
- Emphasis on self-care routines: regular physical activity, sleep hygiene, balanced diet, and stress management.
- Awareness that pain may not completely disappear but quality of life can improve substantially.

Prevention Tips

Maintain a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition and regular physical activity.
Prioritize good sleep quality and address sleep disorders.
Cultivate healthy interpersonal relationships and positive work environments to reduce stress.
Early attention to pain symptoms to avoid chronic progression.

Challenges and Considerations

Fibromyalgia is often misunderstood, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Pain is subjective and has both physical and emotional components.
Treatment requires patience and realistic expectations due to the chronic nature of the disease.
Multidisciplinary care involving rheumatologists, orthopedists, psychiatrists, physiotherapists, acupuncturists, and psychologists is ideal.