Many people who suffer from fibromyalgia not only have to deal with chronic pain throughout their body but often have to convince other people, including their own doctors, that they are not lying about the intense pain they feel. Having to deal with the deep tissue pain caused by fibromyalgia and the stigma associated with the disease, many people struggle with how to handle their disease when not everyone believes there is something wrong with them.
Individuals with fibromyalgia may have difficulties working a full-time job due to the amount of pain caused by the disease. While many people who suffer from chronic pain and other illnesses apply for social security disability benefits when they are unable to work, in the past, individuals with fibromyalgia may have felt like they would not be eligible for benefits as many doctors did not believe their condition existed.
Roughly 10 million people in the country suffer from fibromyalgia, which causes widespread pain. The condition can cause pain and tenderness in a person’s hands and feet, fatigue, cognitive decline and sleep disorders. Previously, the disorder was often considered imagined by patients but new research proves that the illness does exist.
A new study found that people with fibromyalgia have excessive sensory nerve fibers in their hands that specialize around blood vessel structures. It also reported that these nerve fibers can also cause problems with a person’s blood flow and can cause muscle pain, fatigue and hyperactivity in the brain.
This discovery can help doctors diagnose the disease and allow more research to be done on effective ways to manage and treat the disease to reduce the level of pain in patients. The study also proves that fibromyalgia is an actual disease that can be tested and diagnosed, making it easier for individuals to apply for SSDI benefits if they are unable to work due to their condition.
SSDI applications require medical evidence from a physician about the person’s medical condition and his or her inability to continue working. If doctors can provide more accurate details about fibromyalgia and the effects it has on a person’s ability to work, they may be more likely to be approved for SSDI benefits.
Source: Red Orbit, “Doctors Confirm Fibromyalgia Is Not Imaginary,” Lee Rannals, June 18, 2013
