Pregnancy can be a magical time, full of hope and possibility. It can also be exhausting and painful, and that can be especially true if you suffer from fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that can cause fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, depression, sleep, and memory problems. It affects more women than men, and about half the women with fibromyalgia are under age 40—young enough to have children.
Not everyone with fibromyalgia experiences pregnancy the same way, but many women find the stress of carrying a baby exacerbates their symptoms. If you have fibromyalgia, you have more pain, especially during the final trimester, more fatigue, more depression, and more “brain fog.”
What medications can I use?
Very few medications are tested on pregnant women, so doctors generally can’t say whether medicines prescribed for fibromyalgia are safe. Because of that, your doctor will probably encourage you to try to manage your symptoms without drugs.
That said, it’s always a balancing act when you have a medical condition during pregnancy. Sometimes your doctor may decide that your symptoms are so severe that medication is warranted.
What else can I do?
Lifestyle choices become critically important during pregnancy if you have fibromyalgia. Good options include:
- Regular but gentle exercise, such as walking, yoga, riding a stationary bike, or swimming.
- Resting 20-30 minutes two or three times a day.
- Meeting with a counselor to address depression and stress.
- Using stress reduction techniques, such as gentle massage, meditation, and warm baths (avoid very hot baths because they can harm fetal development).
- Tapping your support system, particularly other women with fibromyalgia.
How does fibromyalgia affect the baby?
Most women with fibromyalgia deliver healthy babies. However, some research indicates that a few problems may be more common in pregnant women with fibromyalgia:
- Lower birthweight
- Miscarriages
- High blood sugar
- Excessive amniotic fluid
Can pregnancy actually help fibromyalgia?
Interestingly enough, sometimes women have fewer symptoms during pregnancy and while they’re breastfeeding. Some doctors believe this may be because levels of oxytocin—which can be a natural pain reliever—are elevated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
If you’re struggling with fibromyalgia or other pain symptoms, please give us a call to talk about how we can help you manage your pain.
Tulsa Pain Consultants is a pain management practice in Oklahoma that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. We are dedicated to helping those who are suffering find the relief they deserve. Our team uses a balanced approach by incorporating minimally invasive, outpatient procedures, complementary and alternative medicine, and medication to help patients take control of their pain. Call 918-742-7030 or click here to Request an Appointment to meet with one of our talented pain management specialists today!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.