Best Non-Prescription Products for Treating the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Every person living with fibromyalgia is different, and there are many, many non-invasive, natural products available to treat the myriad of symptoms associated with this illness. Please note that I'm not a doctor, but someone who's been wrestling with fibro for almost fifteen years, and always on the prowl for products that will ease my symptoms. These are the ones that I've found to be the most helpful. Your actual experience may vary.

1. Products for the aches and pains

• A good heating pad. My favorite is the Thermophore® heating pad available from Sammons Preston. It costs about $65, and is available on-line or through your physical therapist or chiropractor. Although it is electric, it has a soft, chamois-like cover that attracts moisture from the air, so you get the more penetrating moist heat, which is said to be more effective than dry heating pads. It is controlled by a switch that you hold in the "on" position until you achieve the heat level you desire. The only drawback is that you need to push down the switch when you want more heat, but for those of us who tend to fall asleep on a heating pad or get up and forget to turn it off, I'd consider that a livable safety trade off.

• Topical pain relievers:

My husband will tell you that I am the queen of topical pain relievers (or as he calls them, "goop"), since oral pain medications have been giving me intolerable side effects. I've gone through many types, weighing cost versus smell versus effectiveness. Here's what I've found to work the best:

- Arnica gel. Available at natural food stores or in the natural foods section of supermarkets. At about $9 a tube, it's not the cheapest topical out there, but it has no smell, won't stain and feels very soothing. It's good on random pain, but best for when you overtax your muscles. Great for healing bruises faster as well.

- Biofreeze. Not the gel or roll-on, but the spray, which you may have to special-order from your massage therapist or chiropractor, because not everyone keeps this in stock. Costs about $13. It's enervating on tired, achy muscles, and great for places you can't reach. The smell will clear your sinuses, but it's not as overpowering as something like IcyHot, Mineral Ice or regular Biofreeze.

- O24(TM). Made by Swissmedica, this is available in most pharmacies or from their web site, and again, it isn't the cheapest thing out there, but since it's oil-based, a little goes a long way. If you don't mind the smell (kind of menthol-mothball-ish), it really knocks the pain down (though not for the full eight hours they claim). O24 comes in a spray tube (about $20) or as a packet of individual towelettes (good for travel). You don't need to specifically buy the fibromyalgia formula: this is just the same product made without salicylates for those doing the guaifenesin protocol. A word of warning to those of you with multiple chemical sensitivities: the camphor smell can build up, especially on clothing or bedding, and become an irritant.

- Ben Gay patches. Not too expensive (about $8 for a package of 5) and available in pharmacies. Good if you've only got a few small areas driving you crazy. Slap one on and forget about the pain for up to eight hours. When I first tried it, I worried that it would hurt to remove it, like other types of patches I'd tried. But this one came right off. Just make sure you get it on right the first time, since it doesn't stick as well if you have to remove and reposition it. The smell isn't as overpowering as if you'd used Ben Gay straight from the tube. And it won't get all over your clothes.

2. Products to aid relaxation.

Stress reduction has been shown to reduce the sensation of pain and improve sleep, as well as boost the body's overall healing mechanisms. This is what has worked best for me.

• Guided imagery and relaxation CDs.

- I like Belleruth Naparstek's "A Meditation to help with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue."

- Recordings of nature sounds have helped me relax (I prefer rain or ocean waves).

- One of my newest favorites is Dr. Steven Gurgevich's CDs on self-hypnosis. He's got one for just about every medical condition. While his "Fibromyalgia" recording is good, the one for back pain is my favorite if I want to do a full-body progressive relaxation. Available from his web site.

• Lavender oil. If you're willing to give aromatherapy a try, this (I think) is the most relaxing. Get a small bottle of the essential oil (about $10), available at most natural food stores. Put a few drops on a handkerchief and tuck it inside your pillowcase to help you relax into sleep. Dilute it in olive oil, heat gently in a microwave-safe container, and rub into sore muscles before you go to bed for a special treat on cold nights.

3. Other products to help sleep:

• Earplugs. Essential if your bed partner snores or if any noise awakens you. My favorites are the soft, foamy kind like Hearos or SuperLeight. Both are inexpensive and available in most pharmacies.

• Nighttime post-nasal drip is a problem for a lot of people with fibromyalgia, me included, and can interrupt sleep. The most effective (but strange) product I've found to flush out your sinuses is a gadget called SinuCleanse®, available in pharmacies for about $13. It's basically a small plastic device shaped like Aladdin's lamp. Dilute the enclosed packets (or when you run out of packets you can use a mixture of salt and baking soda) in lukewarm water, mix well, then pour the solution into one nostril, tilt your head until it runs out the other nostril, then repeat on the other side. It's got to be one of the creepier feelings one can experience, but it works. A word of warning to those with neck or upper back problems: this product requires you to bend your neck forward so you're looking directly into the sink, and then to tilt your head from one side to the other. If moving this way is a problem for you, try putting heat on your neck and upper back before you start (or take a hot shower), then do some gentle stretches. Or simply put off using this product until you are having less pain in these areas.

• A good pillow that supports your head and neck properly. I tried the expensive kind, but when it died an untimely death, I made do with a knockoff I bought from my local bed and bath store. For me, it's just as comfortable for less than half the price.

4. Nutritional supplements

Like any supplements, please check with your doctor first. Some supplements and herbal products can interfere with prescription medications or aggravate other existing conditions. There are many, many vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements touted to help fibromyalgia and you can find a mountain of information on the web. But here are a couple of my favorites and generally the most easily tolerated.

• Ginger tea. I like Yogi Tea®, available in natural food stores or the natural foods departments of some grocery stores for about $3-4 a box. Ginger helps digestion and is supposed to be a natural anti-inflammatory agent as well as an aide to improve blood circulation. And if you've got one good cranky muscle, boil a few bags in a small pot of hot water (it may be cheaper to use fresh grated ginger root for this), soak a washcloth in it (check the temperature first so you don't burn yourself) and use it for a hot compress.

• Calcium supplement. There are many kinds on the market, but the one I prefer is Twin Lab®'s calcium citrate chewable (one of the easier-absorbed forms and less likely to cause constipation). It is combined with magnesium. Both are vital nutrients for fibromyalgia, since they are natural muscle relaxants. Even my doctor recommended I take a calcium/magnesium supplement.

Whichever products you choose to help your fibromyalgia symptoms, good luck and be well.