How to Manage an Intense Fibromyalgia Flare-up

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that can affect your entire body. Due to the unrelenting pain, many of the 4 million women and men in the United States who suffer from fibromyalgia also have trouble sleeping. The lack of relief can also cause psychological and emotional distress, leading to depression. 

Nobody is sure why some people develop fibromyalgia and others don’t. Women are more susceptible to the condition than men are, and you’re more likely to develop it as you age or if you have an autoimmune disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Our experienced providers at Advanced Medical Care in Queens and Brooklyn, New York, can help you develop a personalized plan to manage the chronic pain of fibromyalgia with lifestyle changes, therapies, and medications. We also offer sleep medicine, which can help your body get the rest you need to minimize fibromyalgia pain.

In addition to chronic, diffuse, widespread pain, you may also experience sudden flares in severity. Or you may experience localized areas of severe pain. What should you do when you have an intense flare-up of fibromyalgia? Following are a few suggestions. 

Use relaxation techniques

Stress is one of the triggers for fibromyalgia flares, because stress causes you to tense your muscles and hold your breath. You may find that you can subdue the pain of a fibromyalgia attack if you recognize its warning signs and institute relaxation techniques to counter it.

You can benefit from making conscious relaxation a part of your daily routine. Exercising regularly also helps you manage stress and the pain of fibromyalgia. Try:

• Deep breathing
• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Aromatherapy
• Talk therapy
• Meditation
• Biofeedback

You can also gently stretch your muscles to try to ease the pain. Be sure to get enough sleep each night to give your body the rest and restoration it needs. Go to bed and rise at the same time each day, even on the weekends.

Adjust your pain medications

Sometimes, over-the-counter pain medications may be sufficient to control your discomfort. If you have intense knots of pain, you may benefit from trigger-point injections that relax stress points.

Your doctor may also prescribe antidepressants, naltrexone, or anti-seizure medications. You may find it most beneficial to combine medications with relaxation techniques.

Relax with an IV infusion

An intravenous (IV) infusion treatment benefits you in two ways when you’re in the middle of a fibromyalgia flare-up. First, we recommend an IV that contains glutathione — a powerful antioxidant reduces inflammation and fights the free radicals that damage healthy cells. 

Second, the infusion process itself is relaxing. Your whole body can take a break as you’re nourished with glutathione, vitamins, minerals, and fluids that make up your customized IV drip. 

Glutathione is a tripeptide, containing three amino acids, that’s found in all of the mitochondria in your cells. Glutathione helps your body repair damaged tissues, cells, and DNA. It builds new cells and destroys old and damaged cells. Glutathione also helps your body excrete toxins.

High levels of glutathione are associated with health and longevity. Unfortunately, glutathione diminishes considerably as you age. An IV infusion supplies your cells with the energy they need to diminish pain and inflammation.

Are you struggling to get your fibromyalgia flare-ups under control? Connect with our caring, experienced team at Advanced Medical Care. We can help you find relief and improve your overall wellness.