Approaches ahead
Jones and other experts believe we’re heading toward a disease management model with fibromyalgia, using a tailored combination of medication, exercise and lifestyle strategies to improve symptoms. “There’s a biochemical underpinning [in the dysregulated pain pathways] that needs to be corrected,” she says, “and then there are lifestyle improvements, too.” An individualized combination of approaches seems to work best, she says.
With a multi-system approach that included exercise, biofeedback, sleep habit improvements and other treatments, Shane, now 24 and teaching theater classes to kids in Santa Monica, Calif., tamed his fibromyalgia symptoms and was able to graduate from college without missing a semester. He admits that sticking vigilantly to his management program takes a lot of persistence and effort.
“You have to remind yourself continually to do it,” he says. At one time he could barely lift his arms above his shoulders, but now he can lift 7-pound weights with each arm. He also makes an effort to incorporate lighter activities into his plan. “It’s good to make sure you do one or two things that are fun every day,” he says. “I notice when I’m having a lot of fun and I’m really happy, I feel my best.”
