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Fibromyalgia

10 remedies · 0 attempts

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive difficulties ('fibro fog'). It is thought to involve altered pain processing in the central nervous system rather than structural tissue damage. Fibromyalgia is often comorbid with depression, anxiety, and IBS, and diagnosis requires ruling out other conditions.

Common symptoms

Widespread aching pain throughout the body lasting more than three monthsSpecific tender points at characteristic locationsPersistent fatigue and unrefreshing sleepCognitive difficulties — memory, concentration, and word-finding problemsIncreased sensitivity to touch, temperature, sound, and lightHeadaches, IBS, and bladder symptoms commonly co-occurring

See a doctor before self-treating — fibromyalgia diagnosis requires excluding other conditions (inflammatory arthritis, thyroid disease, lupus) that present similarly. Seek prompt assessment for new neurological symptoms or joint swelling, which are not typical of fibromyalgia.

Goal of treatment: Reduce pain severity and frequency, improve sleep and energy, and restore function through a combination of aerobic exercise, psychological support, and targeted pharmacological therapy.

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WikiRemedy surfaces community experience, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional.

Aerobic Exercise

Lifestyle

Research

Very strong

Community

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Aerobic exercise is the most evidence-based treatment for fibromyalgia — with multiple RCTs showing significant reductions in pain, fatigue, and functional impairment.

⏱ 6–12 weeks·💪 Medium effort

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Therapy

Research

Strong

Community

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CBT for fibromyalgia addresses catastrophising, fear-avoidance, and sleep-disturbing thoughts that amplify pain and disability in this central sensitisation disorder.

⏱ 8–16 weeks·💪 High effort

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Therapy

Research

Moderate

Community

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MBSR reduces the emotional amplification of pain signals in fibromyalgia — a condition fundamentally characterised by central pain hypersensitivity — through sustained mindful attention training.

⏱ 8 weeks·💪 High effort

Hydrotherapy (Warm Water Exercise)

Lifestyle

Research

Moderate

Community

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Warm water exercise reduces fibromyalgia pain through buoyancy-facilitated movement in a warming, pressure-distributing environment that many fibromyalgia patients tolerate better than land-based exercise.

⏱ 4–8 weeks·💪 Medium effort

Sleep Optimisation

Lifestyle

Research

Strong

Community

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Non-restorative sleep is both a hallmark symptom and a major driver of fibromyalgia pain — improving sleep quality reduces pain sensitivity the following day.

⏱ 2–4 weeks·💪 Medium effort

Duloxetine / SNRIs

Pharma

Research

Strong

Community

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Duloxetine (an SNRI) is one of only three FDA-approved medications for fibromyalgia, reducing pain through central pain modulation mechanisms.

⏱ 2–4 weeks·💪 Low effort

Pregabalin (Lyrica)

Pharma

Research

Strong

Community

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Pregabalin is FDA and TGA approved for fibromyalgia, reducing widespread pain and sleep disturbance through modulation of central pain processing.

⏱ 1–2 weeks·💪 Low effort

Low-Dose Naltrexone

Pharma

Research

Limited

Community

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Low-dose naltrexone (LDN, 1.5–4.5mg/day) is an off-label treatment for fibromyalgia with promising evidence for reducing pain via glial cell modulation.

⏱ 4–8 weeks·💪 Low effort

Magnesium Malate

Natural

Research

Limited

Community

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Magnesium malate — combining magnesium with malic acid — has been specifically studied for fibromyalgia based on evidence linking magnesium deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction to this condition.

⏱ 4–8 weeks·💪 Low effort

Gentle Yoga and Tai Chi

Lifestyle

Research

Moderate

Community

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Gentle yoga and tai chi combine slow movement, breath awareness, and mindfulness in a format well tolerated by fibromyalgia patients, with specific RCT evidence for pain and function improvement.

⏱ 6–12 weeks·💪 Medium effort

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WikiRemedy surfaces community experience, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional.