New Hope for Fibromyalgia Patients
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, and mental difficulty. For many, these symptoms disrupt daily life and make simple tasks challenging.
Key Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
1. Widespread Pain
- Often described as a constant dull ache that can last for months.
- Pain can occur in muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.
2. Fatigue
- Feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep.
- Many people with fibromyalgia experience disrupted sleep due to pain or other conditions like restless legs syndrome.
3. Mental Difficulties (“Fibro Fog”)
- Trouble with focus, memory, and mental clarity.
- Tasks that require concentration may feel overwhelming.
4. Sensitivity to Touch and Stimuli
- Heightened sensitivity to pain, touch, noise, light, or temperature.
- Activities or sensations that would not bother others may feel unbearable.
5. Other Symptoms
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after long periods of inactivity.
- Headaches or migraines.
- Digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Depression and anxiety, which are common among patients.
In exciting news, a new drug, Tonmya, has been developed that can soon become the first new FDA-approved treatment for fibromyalgia in more than 15 years.
How Tonmya Works
Tonmya is a tablet that’s placed under the tongue. It contains cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxer designed to help improve sleep and reduce pain.
Currently, only three drugs are FDA-approved for fibromyalgia:
- Pregabalin (Lyrica)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Milnacipran (Savella)
The disease is often misunderstood and underdiagnosed, but new treatments like Tonmya can bring hope to millions of patients.