Treatment for a patient with fibromyalgia
Treatment for a patient with fibromyalgia

Question 31

A patient with irritable bowel syndrome reports chronic stomach pain. The PMHNP wants to prescribe the patient an agent that will cause irrelevant nociceptive inputs from the pain to be ignored and no longer perceived as painful. Which drug will the PMHNP prescribe?

a) Pregabalin (Lyrica)

b) Gabapentin (Neurontin)

c) Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

d) B and C

Question 32

The PMHNP wants to use a symptom-based approach to treating a patient with fibromyalgia. How does the PMHNP go about treating this patient?

a) Prescribing the patient an agent that ignores the painful symptoms by initiating a reaction known as “fibro-fog”

b) Targeting the patient’s symptoms with anticonvulsants that inhibits gray matter loss in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

c) Mzatching the patient’s symptoms with the malfunctioning brain circuits and neurotransimitters that might mediate those symptoms

d) None of the above

In general, treatments for fibromyalgia include both medication and self-care.
…
Treatment
Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) may be helpful. …
Antidepressants. …
Anti-seizure drugs.
Treatment consists of self care and therapy
Medication, talk therapy and stress reduction may help control symptoms.
Self-care
Physical exercise
Aerobic activity for 20–30 minutes 5 days a week improves cardiovascular health. If injured, pursuing an activity that avoids the injured muscle group or joint can help maintain physical function while recovering.
Stress management
Pursuing an enjoyable activity or verbalising frustration to reduce stress and improve mental health.
Relaxation techniques
Deep breathing, meditation, yoga, rhythmic exercise and other activities that reduce symptoms of stress