Parallels Between Fibromyalgia and Depression

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition, affecting millions of women, men, and even children. Some describe it as fatigue with an all-over ache, a full-body muscle cramp or feeling like you have the flu, minus the throwing up. It is diagnosed by having at least 11 of 18 “tender points”; different spots on the body that, when pressed, are painful for no apparent reason. Depression also affects women, men, and children and can lead to muscle aches and fatigue. Other common symptoms include headaches and trouble sleeping. Concentration issues are less common, as well as constipation, but that could also be a side effect from taking the medications to control fibromyalgia (FM) and depression.

There aren’t any definitive tests to tell you that yes, you have depression or yes, you’ve got fibromyalgia. However, studies show that people suffering from both conditions have lowered levels of chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin. Selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRI’s) are found in medications such as Zoloft and Prozac, which are sometimes used for both FM and depression. Another group, tricyclics, like Elavil, are just as good but have more side effects.

Cymbalta is an antidepressant in the SSNRI group (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). Originally it was used to treat depression and anxiety, but it has been recently approved by the FDA for treatment of fibromyalgia. Neurontin is an anticonvulsant (used to prevent seizures) that also helps with mood and pain in both conditions. Lyrica, another anticonvulsant, was also recently approved for fibromyalgia and found to be effective in treating nerve pain. The anticonvulsants aren’t approved for depression, but they may affect your mood positively while helping your pain.

There are many different doctors you can see for treatment and diagnosis of both disorders. First, there’s your family doctor, who coordinates your care with specialists and can point you in the right direction on where to get treatment and which specialists to see. A chiropractor can adjust your spine using spinal manipulation (cracking your back), or a little device called an activator- a spring loaded “clicker” that gives your back a little thunk and activates the muscles along the spine. This can help with back, neck and leg pain. Some chiropractors believe that the spine affects the entire body, and using different types of therapies can relieve any affliction, including depression, headaches and even allergies. Massage therapists use gentle massage techniques to loosen muscles and get rid of pain.

A rheumatologist is basically an arthritis doctor. If you do have fibromyalgia, a rheumatologist is the type of doctor that sees more FM patients than any other medical professional. Rheumatologists are more familiar with treating fibromyalgia and other nerve pain.

Psychologists and psychiatrists are the “it” doctors to treat depression. Both can practice psychotherapy, and both can do research but psychiatrists are medical doctors and psychologists are not- psychiatrists can prescribe medications. Social workers can help with depression, too.

Alternative therapy doctors can use techniques like biofeedback, yoga, and even tanning. Biofeedback is a technique used to control your body functions by using your mind to concentrate on your heart rate and breathing. Yoga is a stretching exercise that has become very popular in the last 10-15 years. Yoga generally focuses on calm, slow, movements and positions while controlling your breathing. It’s great for stretching sore muscles. Tanning can help during the winter months in some people with the “winter blues”. The light elevates their mood while the warmth loosens muscles.

The list goes on and on of possible causes of both syndromes- job loss, car accident or injury, relationship problems, illness, money problems; any kind of stress or anxiety. There are more parallels between fibromyalgia and depression than we know. Both can be treated by techniques, medications, and all different types of doctors. If you think you could be suffering from either condition, it’s worth your time to talk to your family doctor, and figure out what steps to take.