Read Part 1 of this series - Polyarthralgia and Fibromyalgia Connection.
Compliancy and treatment issues of polyarthralgia and fibromyalgia, referred to as conditions, are explored.
Compliancy Issues and the Fibromyalgia/ Polyarthralgia Treatment Plan
A treatment plan cannot be successful unless a patient is ready to commit to it. Factors that can interfere with compliancy range from the inability to cope with the diagnosis, lack of support system, difference of opinion on treatment options, and inability to pay for services. Therefore part of a good care plan should include disabling effects, and I suggest the following questions to spark conversation:
• In what ways has this condition changed your life?
• What can’t you do now that you were able to do before?
• What kinds of activities make the condition worse?
• What kinds of activities make the condition better?
• What, if any, assistive devices have you tried to help you achieve independence?
A good fibromyalgia/ polyarthralgia treatment plan is also going to incorporate psychological and occupational counseling to determine coping skills and provide an opportunity for the expression of grief. How can we expect a person to go from being totally healthy one day to total disability the next without falling apart?
Treatment Modalities for Fibromyalgia and Polyarthralgia
These two conditions are very difficult to treat because of the inability to determine the trigger or cause of illness. Therefore treatment is usually designed to relieve pain and increase freedom of movement. Common symptoms for polyarthralgia and fibromyalgia are:
• Inflammation
• Tenderness
• Pain
• Restrictive movement
Polyarthralgia/ Fibromyalgia treatment options usually begin with reducing inflammation by over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), graduation to stronger anti-inflammatory prescription medications such as oxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, sulfasalazine, methotrexate , or low dose oral corticosteroid therapy are common.
As a nurse I can tell you it is very difficult to measure pain; an individual who lives with chronic pain, like a lower back herniated disk, learn to adapt to it, but introduce a new type of pain, like closing the car door on your finger, and the response is going to be very different. Pain management will range from OTC pain relievers to prescription analgesics in the form of morphine, endocet, methadone and others.
It is not uncommon for individuals to be on several medications and for this reason drug-drug interaction monitoring is critical. A good website that offers information on drug interactions and precautions is eMedicine.
No treatment plan would be complete without the addition of an exercise program and alternative medicine options, in the management of pain, inflammation, and decreased mobility.
In conclusion a successful plan of action cannot be achieved without an exploration of the disabling effects of the condition and treatment options, other than traditional prescription medication.
About the Author
Dr. Mundorff is the author of several books. Her latest book, Take Control: A Guide to Holistic Living is an innovative health guide, which helps the reader learn how to regain control of their health by discovering the practical effectiveness of combining alternative and modern medicine.
Disclaimer: Dr. Mundorff is a Board Certified Naturopath, and not a medical doctor. The information in this column is for educational purposes only and should not be used to self-diagnose and treat diseases. Naturopathy is a complementary practice and should be used in conjunction with a competent physician. Many herbal and homeopathic remedies can actually be contraindicated in many health conditions, with certain prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications. Please consult your physician before starting any alternative modalities.
See Related Articles
What does Polyarthralgia mean to you if you have Fibromyalgia? Find out in, The Polyarthralgia and Fibromyalgia Connection – Part I of a Two-Part Series.
Researches discover a combination of two analgesic drugs, tramadol and acetaminophen, could be a safe and effective fibromyalgia pain relief treatment. See Fibromyalgia Pain Relief Found with Drug Combination to learn more.
