An alternative multimodal approach is effective and safe for fibromyalgia

Abstract

Objective: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a prevalent disorder in general medicine. Several drugs and nutrients manage FM but with low efficacy and various side effects. Therefore, having an effective and alternative approach with no collateral effects is crucial for those patients. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was performed. Demographic and clinical data, Visual Analogic Scale, and pre and post serum levels of 25OH vitamin D were analyzed. Statistical analysis was applied using JASP software. Significant results were those with p < 0.05. Results: 13 FM patients (77% females) with a mean age of 44.5±17.6 years old were included. All patients used vitamin D; 38% took melatonin, a methylating agent in 62%, Rhodiola rosea in 62%, omega-3 in 62%, and 5-hydroxytryptamine in 85%. 85% of patients took an approach for dysbiosis. Interestingly, the proposed AMA induces a significant reduction of tender points count, VAS pain score, Pittsburgh sleep inventory, Beck anxiety inventory, Beck depression inventory, and the events of gastrointestinal complaints. Furthermore, the VAS well-being and vitamin D levels increased after the AMA approach. All patients felt improved in their FM conditions. Conclusions: An AMA is effective and safe, without any side effects for fibromyalgia therapy. AMA reduces pain intensity, anxiety, and depressive symptoms and improves well-being and sleep with withdrawing classical antidepressants of the FM patients.

Keywords

• fibromyalgia
• nutraceuticals
• chronic pain
• vitamins
• supplements