Please remember, this column is designed to help the consumer seeking behavioral-health information, and not intended to be any form of psychotherapy or a replacement for professional, individualized services. Opinions expressed in the column are those of the columnist and do not represent the position of other SelfhelpMagazine.com staff.

Question

Do you have any suggestions for medications to relieve the discomfort of fibromyalgia? I have tried Elavil, Doxepin, Prozac, Imiprimine, and Paxil. All made me drowsy and foggy-headed, but I think I need to be taking something.

Answer

You are not alone in experiencing discomfort from these drugs. In my experience, the people with FM who are doing the best are those who are not taking mood-altering medications but rather treat themselves with a combination of excellent nutrition, gently increasing aerobic exercise, rigorously disciplined sleep habits, and careful avoidance of stress to the greatest extent possible.

While this magazine cannot recommend or prescribe medications, I do discuss a variety of drugs as well as non-medical approaches in my book, *Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Approach* (Walker and Co., 1996), which you can find in most good bookstores or order from our online bookstore. I also recommend that you visit the web site of the Oregon Fibromyalgia Foundation , a source of excellent and authoritative information.

03/13/98

Miryam Williamson, a contributing editor to SelfhelpMagazine, is a technical journalist and author of "Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Approach What You Can Do About Chronic Pain and Fatigue," published by Walker and Company, New York, 1996, ISBN 0-8027-7484-9. At bookstores in early June, or from the publisher at 800-289-2553.