Select one of the two questions from the discussion questions listed below. Be sure to respond to the question using the lessons and vocabulary found in the reading. Justify your answers using examples and reasoning. Support your answers with examples and research and cite your research using APA format. Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Discussion Question 1 MP is a sixty-five-year-old male who has recently retired. He is coming in today for a complaint about pain in his back, knees, and hips. He reports that he has been experiencing this pain for the past six months, and he has been able to control the symptoms with OTC Advil. He describes the pain as stiffness and occasional shooting and aching pains radiating all over. He denies any swelling of his joints. However, the OTC medications are not working well, and he is here to see whether there are any other options he might try. On physical exam, he has tenderness on palpation on the right and left hips and both knees are positive for crepitus. All blood work is within normal limits. Answer the following questions: For medications, include dosages and schedules. Include highlights of patient teaching and/or lifestyle alterations. Support your decisions with at least one reference to a published clinical guideline and one peer-reviewed publication. Discussion Question 2 EP is a twenty-five-year-old African American female who has just moved to town and comes to the clinic for her first visit. She has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. She reports that her previous primary care physician (PCP) was treating her with opiates only. She has been taking hydrocodone/ibuprofen 7.5 mg/200 mg four times daily but notes that this is not helping her. She is asking you for a refill of this medication and any additional treatment you can advise. On physical exam, she is in moderate distress and reports pain when being touched. Answer the following questions: For medications, include dosages and schedules. Include highlights of patient teaching and/or lifestyle alterations. Support your decisions with at least one reference to a published clinical guideline and one peer-reviewed publication.

Discussion Question 2 requires us to analyze and respond to the case of EP, a twenty-five-year-old African American female who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It is stated that her previous primary care physician was treating her with opiates only, specifically hydrocodone/ibuprofen 7.5 mg/200 mg four times daily. However, EP reports that this medication is not providing effective relief and she is seeking a refill and additional treatment options.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in specific areas of the body. It is important to approach the management of fibromyalgia with a multimodal treatment plan that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of the condition. The use of opioids as the sole treatment is not recommended due to their limited effectiveness in managing fibromyalgia pain and the risk of dependence and addiction.

In terms of medication options, EP can benefit from a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The first-line pharmacological treatment for fibromyalgia includes medications such as antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs. Examples of antidepressants commonly used for fibromyalgia include serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like amitriptyline. These medications have been shown to help alleviate pain, improve sleep quality, and reduce fatigue in fibromyalgia patients (APA, 2015).

In addition to medication, non-pharmacological interventions should also be incorporated into EP’s treatment plan. These include physical therapy, aerobic exercise, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and stress reduction techniques. Physical therapy can help improve flexibility and muscle strength, while aerobic exercise has been found to alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being in fibromyalgia patients (APA, 2015). CBT can help EP develop coping skills to manage the pain and other associated symptoms, while stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness and relaxation exercises can help improve overall quality of life.

Furthermore, it is important to educate EP about lifestyle modifications that can help manage her symptoms effectively. This may include maintaining a regular sleep schedule, practicing good sleep hygiene, and engaging in self-care activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction. It is also crucial to encourage EP to communicate openly with her healthcare provider regarding her symptoms, treatment preferences, and any concerns or questions she may have.

To support these recommendations, it is essential to refer to published clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed publications. One example of a clinical guideline is the “2015 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia” by the American College of Rheumatology. This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia, including the use of pharmacotherapy, exercise, and psychological interventions (Macfarlane et al., 2016). Additionally, a peer-reviewed publication that can be referenced is the study by Häuser et al. (2018) which provides an overview of the evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia.

In conclusion, the case of EP, a twenty-five-year-old African American female with fibromyalgia, requires a multimodal treatment approach that includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Opioids should not be used as the sole treatment for fibromyalgia due to their limited effectiveness and potential risks. Instead, medications such as antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs should be considered, along with non-pharmacological interventions like physical therapy, exercise, CBT, and stress reduction techniques. Lifestyle modifications and patient education are also vital components of the treatment plan. These recommendations are based on published clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed publications, ensuring evidence-based practice in the management of fibromyalgia.