The first port of call if you suspect you may have fibromyalgia is your local GP, the doctor will probably want to discount other illnesses by means of blood test and x-rays, you may be referred to a rheumatologist or neurologist.

There is no cure for fibromyalgia but with the help of a sympathetic doctor, family and friends a lot can be done to improve the symptoms.

Treatment is often a case of trial and error, what suits one person will not necessarily suit someone else, you may need more than one kind of treatment.

The normal starting point is tablets to deal with the pain, there are various types on the market such as paracetamol (eg Panadol) these may be helpful. Stronger ones containing codeine should only be used when you have tried simple ones and they have proved ineffective.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (eg Nurofen), may be helpful, but these can bring side effects with long term use such as stomach ulcers or other problems.

Another major symptom of fibromyalgia is sleep deprivation and for some people is a major problem but sleeping tablets are not recommended because of dependency problems. Low dose Antidepressants are commonly prescribed and can be effective, even if the person is not truly depressed, by improving sleep and breaking the vicious cycle of sleep disturbance and pain.

Amitriptyline and fluoxetine(eg Prozac) are two used commonly for people suffering from fibromyalgia. These can take several months to become effective and the dose may be increased to find the most effective level of dosage. High dosage and long term use is not however recommended. Side effects of these type of drugs can have the affect of leaving the patient with a "hangover" feeling next morning. A good tip is to take them earlier in the evening so the affect wears off quicker the next morning. It is not recommended to drive or use machinery after taking this type of medication.

Complementary therapies, including acupuncture and osteopathy in particular may be helpful for certain people and your GP may be able to guide you in your choice of complementary practitioner.

A lot of people suffer from stiffness, or muscle spasms in which case you may be prescribed a muscle relaxant to help ease your symptoms, common ones that are use that are often used include medicines tizanidine and carisoprodol. Tricyclic antidepressants like Amitriptyline (see above) can also help to relax your muscles.

Anti-seizure medicines such as Pregabalin have also been used to treat fibromyalgia symptoms, including pain and sleeping problems. You may be able to take pregabalin as a brand called Lyrica, they have however been known to cause a number of side effects, such as dizziness, blurred vision, and weight gain.

Self Help

Some people can learn to cope with fibromyalgia. Very often the last thing someone suffering from fibromyalgia wants to do is exercise but if you can manage it is beneficial, regular aerobic exercises or swimming to improve physical fitness will help your condition. Relaxation and regular exercises will help by making the sleep pattern more normal.

Always consult your GP before embarking on regular exercise.

It is advisable to avoid things that can adversely affect your sleep pattern: These include nasal decongestants, excess alcohol, tea or coffee, especially late in the evening.

Stress management, healthy eating and attempting to maintain an ideal weight are also beneficial.

Talk to your family and friends about how you feel and give them as much information as possible about the condition in order that they can provide support when necessary.

Join a support group in your area to meet up with other sufferers (a problem shared is a problem halved), there are also some very good on line support websites and forums (see "Getting Help" Section.)