Fibromyalgia Treatment

More and more people are seeking relief from the pain, fatigue, and sleep problems associated with fibromyalgia. To help with this, David Buscher, M.D. offers fibromyalgia treatment in Redmond, WA. With allergy testing to identify and functional medicine to treat, many of our patients find relief.

The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are deep muscle pain, painful tender points, and usually morning stiffness. Other major symptoms include:

  • Fatigue

  • Concentration & Memory Problems -- Brain Fog or "Fibro Fog"

  • Headaches

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Sleep Disorder

  • Sometimes Bladder Pain & Vulvodynia

Fibromyalgia tends to be widespread affecting the entire body rather than just a couple joints or muscle groups. Patients may describe their pain differently -- deep, dull, throbbing, sharp, or aching -- involving muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. Some patients report they have recurrent flu-like symptoms. Fatigue is very commonly associated with fibromyalgia.

Treatments Offered at This Clinic:

Allergy Testing & Treatments--Allergies are often a major cause of fibromyalgia and associated symptoms. Allergic myalgia is not commonly recognized as a cause of muscle pain, although such information has been published in the medical literature as far back as 1927. Many patients with fibromyalgia have been suffering with unrecognized food and environmental allergies. Conventional skin prick testing is not reliable to diagnose such allergies. Our clinic uses intradermal serial endpoint titration and provocation-neutralization testing, which is much more thorough and reliable.

Trigger Point Injections--Also known as myofascial release. This involves injections of procaine into specific "trigger points."

Neural Therapy--Intradermal procaine injections usually with micro-doses of anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, lymphatic drainage formulas, and mitochondrial enzymes.

Intravenous Myers Cocktail or other micronutrient IV therapies

External Enhanced Counterpulsation (EECP) with oxygen therapy--to improve cellular oxygenation and function and mitochondrial restoration.

Hypothyroidism Treatment--Deficiencies of thyroid hormone can lead to fatigue, pain, brain fog, and other symptoms. Therefore, it is essential to do a thorough evaluation of thyroid function, which includes thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (T4), free liothyronine(T3),reverse T3, thyroid antibodies.

Low-dose naltrexone, especially for Hashimoto’s and autoimmune thyroiditis. Researchers don't yet understand the drug's exact mechanism of action. Some researchers theorize that LDN blocks certain receptors in the nervous system that cause symptoms of fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue syndrome and other conditions.

  • By blocking the receptors for endorphins, LDN appears to trick the brain into producing more of them. The 4-6 hours or so the drug remains in one’s system appears to be sufficient to boost the levels of endogenous opioids (those naturally found in the brain) for 18-24 hours.  Since endorphins are known as ‘natural pain relievers’ having more endorphins are likely to be beneficial, especially for people with fibromyalgia.

  • Some evidence indicates that LDN works as an anti-inflammatory in the brain and peripheral nervous systems, by limiting excessive activity of specialized brain immune cells called microglia.

  • Research has shown that LDN may help normalize the immune system, which may be why it appears to help people with autoimmunity and other immune-system illnesses.

  • Virtually no side effects.  Some patients have difficulty sleeping during the first week, which rarely persists after the first week.  Others report more vivid dreams.

Most authorities agree that pain and sleep management, along with psychological support, are fundamental treatments that help patients with fibromyalgia. Mild exercise is often very helpful, and it is very important that patients learn how to pace themselves and not push themselves beyond their capacity. Low-dose naltrexone often relieves the pain of fibromyalgia.

Nutritional supplements can often be helpful for fibromyalgia such as:

  • 5-Hydroxy Tryptophan, 100 Mg 3 times Daily

  • Malic Acid/Magnesium, Magnesium 300-600 Mg/Malic Acid 1200-2400 Mg Daily Total

  • L-Carnitine, 1500 Mg B.I.D.

  • Coenzyme Q10, 100-300 Mg

  • Acetyl L-Carnitine, 500 Mg 3 Times Daily

  • If Needed, Low-Dose Tricyclic Antidepressants to improve sleep.

  • Guaifenesin-Safe & Usually Effective Treatment; Involves Strict Avoidance of Salicylates

Laboratory Testing options:

  • Metabolic Acidosis & Cellular Oxygen Levels-Using Venous Blood Gases

  • Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (Endopat) Dysfunction

  • Functional Nutritional Analysis (Spectra Cell)

  • Urine Organic Acid Testing

Prescription Medications

The fibromyalgia diagnosis fits under the category of a rheumatological condition. Most patients with this condition consult a rheumatologist at one time or another. In general, rheumatologists are quite skilled in utilizing medications.

  • Antidepressants--Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), & Milnacipran (Savella)

  • Anti-Seizure Medication, Pain Relief--Pregabalin (Lyrica)

  • Tricyclic Antidepressants--Doxepin & Trazodone

  • Pain Medication--Oxycodone, Oxycontin

  • Anti-Seizure, Pain Management--Neurontin

Contact us today with your questions and concerns about fibromyalgia treatment. We proudly serve patients in Redmond, Washington, and the surrounding area.