What Medications Will Help Restore Deep Sleep Patterns In Fibromyalgia Patients?
A. If there is a disturbance of sleep in fibromyalgia patients, physicians generally prescribe low doses of an anti-depressive group of drugs called Tricyclic Anti-Depressants, or short-acting sleeping medications such as Zolpidem (Ambien), which seems to be the drug of choice. Patients need to avoid routine use of sleeping pills such as Halcion, Restoril, Valium, etc. as the pills impair the quality of deep sleep. These medications tend to work for only a short time after which the body becomes resistant to their effects. They are also very addictive. Ultimately, the use of sleeping pills tends to create even more sleeping problems in people with fibromyalgia syndrome. A wonderful and amazing natural substance is 5-htp (5-hydroxytryptophan), the breakdown product of Tryptophan, an essential amino acid present in most protein foods. It is a precursor to Serotonin (5-ht). Patients with a Serotonin deficiency, or too-rapid uptake of Serotonin, may benefit from 5-htp. It is a natural subs
