Even though there are a lot of different symptoms that are associated with the early stages of fibromyalgia, especially with women, it’s important to note that depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are at the top of those problems. It’s not odd for men and women to have to take some sort of anti anxiety or anti depression medication as part of their fibromyalgia treatment plan.
That being said, there have been a lot of tests regarding neurotransmitter medications and fibromyalgia. These medications are typically used for mental health issues, but in recent years, have also started use for those suffering from other fibromyalgia symptoms.
What Are Neurotransmitter Medications and What Do They Do?
Neurotransmitter medications are medications that focus on the brain and the chemicals that it creates. As you likely know, the brain makes a lot of different chemicals, all which are used for various tasks. Sometimes, you don’t get enough of some of these chemicals, and at other times, you get too much.
There are a few neurotransmitters that are related to your mental health, including serotonin. If your brain is absorbing too much serotonin or it is not making enough in the first place, you can end up having symptoms of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety.
So, neurotransmitter medications, as their name suggests, actually focus on helping the brain to create more of these chemicals and/or they make it so that your brain is not absorbing as many of them. These medications are usually used in order to help people who are struggling with depression.
As your brain develops more of these chemicals, the depressive symptoms start to reduce, allowing the patient to “feel better” a lot of the time. Even though they may not totally eliminate all of the symptoms that you are experiencing, they can definitely help
How Are Neurotransmitters Related to Fibromyalgia?
So, where do neurotransmitters come into play when it comes to your fibromyalgia symptoms? There are a few ways that this can happen. First off, a person who has fibromyalgia is more susceptible to struggling with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
Some of this is because of all of the issues that happen in the nervous system, but it can also happen because of the chemical imbalances that are going on. On top of that, it could just be there because you’re so stressed out and worried about the pain that you can’t handle the emotions that come with it. It’s okay, however, and there is help for it.
Another way that neurotransmitters may be related to fibromyalgia is because of what we discussed above. They develop a lot of the different chemicals that our brain uses in order to help our mood. But, some of those same chemicals could also play a role in helping us to reduce the pain that we feel on a regular basis.
Since with fibromyalgia, we’re a lot more sensitive to pain, it can be really helpful to take something that allows us to have a higher pain threshold. That way, we may still be in pain, but we can cope with it a lot better than we would.
The connection between neurotransmitters and pain is still being studied. Even though we know that chemicals like serotonin can play a huge role in helping to reduce pain, it hasn’t been proven yet just how much of a difference it can make for fibromyalgia patients.
There are still tests ongoing and there are a lot of studies that are trying to unlock these sorts of things. If, however, we find a definite connection, it’s going to be more likely that we can find a cure that will last for the long turn.
What Can Neurotransmitter Medications Do For Fibro Patients?
So, what can neurotransmitter medications do for people who are suffering from fibromyalgia? We understand that it’s related to depression, but what can they do for the rest of your oversensitive nervous system? There are a lot of things that have been suggested, and there are definitely changes that are noticed in those that take these medications. Here are just a few of the fibromyalgia symptoms that may have been reduced or eliminated through the use of neurotransmitter medications.
– People who suffer from fibromyalgia often have issues with sleeping and fatigue. By taking these medications, they have been shown to have a bit more energy and they are able to sleep better throughout the evening.
– There are a lot of connections between fibromyalgia and depression, so even if other symptoms have not been alleviated by the medication, it should help the depression subside, even slightly.
– Because of the connections between pain and neurotransmitters, it’s incredibly likely that these medications will be able to help people feel less pain, have more flexibility, and be able to go through other forms of therapy without as much pain or frustration.
– Cognitive function is often affected by fibromyalgia pain. This is usually referred to as “fibro fog.” The parts of cognitive function that are most often affected are attention, concentration, and memory. By going on a neurotransmitter medication, you may start to notice that you are able to concentrate better, or that your fibro fog isn’t as bad when you have a flare up or other complications related to your fibromyalgia symptoms.
These aren’t the only ways that they could be helping, but from the studies that have already been done, these are the ones that seem to be the most obvious and out in the forefront.
There is still a lot of research that needs to be done in this area of study, but at this point in time, the research is incredibly promising, especially for those who have been looking for the best way to deal with their fibromyalgia symptoms. You may be able to get in on a trial or your doctor may be willing to see if these specific medications can work for your symptoms.
Further reading:
Neurotransmitters in Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/treatingfmscfs/a/neurotranshub.htm
Neurotransmitter Medications and Fibro http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/neuotransmitters-and-fibro.html
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