How to lessen the pain from fibromyalgia?

According to eHow.com, “Look at pain management over-the-counter medications types which consist of ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen,” and “Consider prescription pain management prescriptions such as Tramadol/Ultram and Lyrica, which are non-narcotic medications, or low dosages of anti-depressants, which are serotonin re-uptake inhibitors such as Cymbalta, which helps to improve sleep and relieve pain.”
Moreover, when it comes to sleep problems, “Work on sleep management through improving and increasing the amount of healthy sleep cycle. Avoid eating right before going to bed and also avoid sugar, alcohol and drinking caffeine.”
“Try alternative therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, massages, relaxation techniques, heat and cold compress treatments, light cardio therapy, biofeedback, physical therapy , aromatherapy, and chiropractic methods”
“Change the way you eat by eating more produce and non-processed foods . Avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol or use sparingly.”
“Practice self-care management such as breathing exercises to help reduce stress. Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well and try to pace yourself by not overloading yourself with too many activities. This can cause the pain to escalate.”
Lifescript.com explains, “There’s no cure, which means you just have to learn to live with fibromyalgia pain and take steps to ease its symptoms. “Effectively treating fibromyalgia requires a combination of medication and lifestyle skills,” says Daniel Clauw, M.D., fibromyalgia expert and professor of anesthesiology and medicine at the University of Michigan. He’s also director of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center there. “
“Working out is recommended for most everyone, but it can especially help fibromyalgia sufferers, who often feel stiffness (especially after waking in the morning) and restless leg syndrome. Exercising regularly – whatever you can manage on a routine basis – can boost mood, ease pain, improve sleep, reduce fatigue, improve circulation and strengthen your heart. Among recommended activities for fibromyalgia patients: stretching, walking, yoga, cycling, swimming, water aerobics and strength training.”
“But be careful: Sometimes exercise can be counterproductive, says Stephen MacPherson, N.D., a naturopathic doctor at the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center in Seattle. Many are so fatigued, that it makes it difficult to exercise.”
“Fibromyalgia patients suffer pain more intensely than other people do. They may feel it all over their body or in multiple tender points. Water therapy, light aerobics, application of heat or cold, acupuncture, and osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation have helped fibromyalgia patients, say the experts at the National Fibromyalgia Association. So has physical therapy.”
“It can increase mobility, improve physical function and ease pain. Experts at the National Pain Foundation believe that physical therapy can help people regain their muscle tone and flexibility.
“Eating lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and dairy also will energize you, lower weight and improve overall health as you battle fibromyalgia. Janet Horn, M.D., Lifescript’s women’s health expert and a practicing physician in Baltimore, suggests eliminating the following foods, which appear to bother some people with fibromyalgia:
• Food additives like MSG and nitrates (the preservative in hot dogs and bacon)
• Aspartame (NutraSweet)
• Sugar”
And make sure you get plenty of sleep!