By: Heather
Most people aren’t aware of the chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia. Most of us have tried all kinds of pain relievers, from over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription to unconventional and maybe even illegal options in some states. Those easiest to access, of course, are the OTC medications like NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs). As such, they are a common option for the average person in pain. But with fibromyalgia, it’s usually hit or miss. Learning about them might explain why.
What are NSAIDs?
When we talk about NSAIDs, we are usually referring to those over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers that are readily available at your grocer or pharmacy. These include ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve), and aspirin (Bayer and Excedrin). Most people assume that acetaminophen (Tylenol) is in the NSAID family, but it’s not technically in this same group of OTC drugs. In fact, not only does acetaminophen have no effect on inflammation, but researchers are still not sure exactly how it works. It is technically an analgesic or pain killer. There are several other types of prescription NSAIDs, but we are going to focus on the ones that are most well-known.
Ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin are typically taken for general pain. Sometimes they are suggested to treat pain levels associated with different kinds of surgery. Thus, it makes sense to think of these as a way to seek relief from fibromyalgia pain. The problem is that not all fibromyalgia pain comes from inflammation. In fact, the lack of inflammation with fibromyalgia is one of the key distinctions between that and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. However, there is at least one study that suggests that inflammation in the fascia, the fibrous sheath covering the muscles, plays some role in Fibromyalgia. Nevertheless, inflammation is not a marker in diagnosing fibromyalgia at this stage.
Most medical researchers agree that the pain relief associated with anti-inflammatory drugs is just a helpful benefit of what they actually do. That is, they block a type of lipid, called a prostaglandin, from being fully synthesized within the body. Prostaglandins do many things, but they ultimately are responsible for a vital role within the process of inflammatory reaction in the body. So blocking them from spreading or even starting prevents the inflammatory response within the body. And no inflammation means no pain from inflammation.
Sounds great, right? Not so fast. You see, the problem is that fibromyalgia pain does not often stem from inflammation in the first place. However, fibro patients often suffer from other conditions as well. Those other conditions, such as arthritis, that are rooted in inflammation do respond quite well to anti-inflammatory drugs. With that said, there is really only one way to figure out if anti-inflammatories will work for you: try them for yourself. You may find that it relieves some of your pain, but not all of it. On other days, however, it might be the perfect remedy and give you the relief you need to make it through your whole day pain-free. And if works, that’s what matters.
A Word of Caution
Fibromyalgia patients, especially those suffering from multiple conditions, should be careful to consult your physician before trying any kind of medication or supplements, even OTC options. Your physician will be more knowledgeable about certain interactions with other medication you might be taking as well.
There is also another important factor to consider if you’re going to take anti-inflammatories: all NSAIDs come with side effects. Some of those side effects can be dangerous or even life threatening. Common side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Appetite Decrease
- Constipation
- Ulcers
- Diarrhea
- Intestinal Bleeding
- Kidney Damage
- Liver Damage
If you suffer from fibromyalgia, you have probably noticed that certain medications, especially prescriptions, can actually exacerbate some symptoms while treating others. This is also a possibility with NSAIDs. So it’s wise to simply to be aware of the side effects, as well as the danger of taking excess doses. Furthermore, taking multiple types of NSAIDs at the same time drastically increases your chance of organ damage or even failure, quite possibly leading to death.
Hopefully, you can find some relief with over the counter NSAIDs, but if not, don’t be discouraged. Everyone is different, and what works for someone else may not work for you. Always keep an open mind, talk with your doctor, and do plenty of research.
Further Reading:
Patient education: Fibromyalgia (Beyond the Basics)
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