For others, stronger medications such as narcotics are needed. Some physicians are reluctant to prescribe narcotics for long-term use, a bias that stems from a fear of addiction. There is an important distinction between physical dependence and addiction. It is important to keep track of how you take any medication to monitor its effectiveness. Slowly our society is realizing the need for more comprehensive treatments for chronic pain in conditions that are not fatal.
Pacing becomes a very important aspect of living well with fibromyalgia.
You may find that taking a break every few hours will allow you to gain a second wind, and maybe even a third or forth. By tracking how you feel and your activity levels, you can learn how to organize your day and weeks to make the most of the energy you have. Creative scheduling can allow people with fibromyalgia to engage in a full life. Knowing when you need to rest and when you can push on make this condition much more manageable. This page was updated on February 14, 2000.