Is Fibromyalgia Considered a Disabilty?

According to the Mayo Clinic, fibromyalgia affects roughly two percent of the population. The risk of development appears to increase with age. Some people may be more susceptible due to trauma, though it can strike with no apparent cause.

Features

• Fibromyalgia is debilitating and consists of pain in various areas of the body along with extreme fatigue. While it is a disability, currently the only diagnostic test available consists of the patient having pain in 11 of the 18 tender points located on the arms, neck, and back of legs.

Treatment

• The FDA has approved three medications for fibromyalgia, Cymbalta, which is an antidepressant that helps with pain and Lyrica and Savella, both of which ease the pain.

Significance

• Women make up 80 percent of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Considerations

• Fibromyalgia is listed as a disease with the United States Social Security Administration and many people are successful in receiving disability benefits. It is often difficult, but with a lawyer and the backing of doctors, even a denied claim can be overturned.

Warning

• Fibromyalgia is not progressive, but it can lead to depression and inability to sleep because of the pain.