Can you work with fibromyalgia?

Many people with fibromyalgia continue to work full or part time. But the chronic pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia often make working very difficult. If you are employed, it's important to learn about managing fibromyalgia symptoms and coping with pain and fatigue.

Is fibromyalgia considered a disability?

The Social Security Administration recognizes arthritis and fibromyalgia (FM) as qualifying disabilities for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).

How does fibromyalgia affect your ability to work?

The pain, fatigue, and poor sleep quality associated with fibromyalgia can interfere with your ability to function at home or on the job. The frustration of dealing with an often-misunderstood condition also can result in depression and health-related anxiety.

Why is it so hard to work with fibromyalgia?

Having fibromyalgia can make it difficult to carry out daily activities, including working at many types of jobs. Symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, and widespread pain may make it difficult to get through the day due to lack of concentration, preoccupation with pain, and other challenges associated with assigned duties.

Can fibromyalgia make you miss work?

The ability of patients with fibromyalgia to work normal hours has also been shown to be reduced. Patients with fibromyalgia were found to miss more days of work than their colleagues without fibromyalgia.

How you can treat and manage Fibromyalgia

Should I tell my employer I have fibromyalgia?

It is important and helpful to be open with your employer about your fibromyalgia diagnosis. Employers must make reasonable adjustments to make sure workers with disabilities are not substantially disadvantaged when doing their jobs.

How do I deal with fibromyalgia at work?

How does a doctor diagnose fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed based primarily on having pain all over the body, along with other symptoms. Currently, there are no specific laboratory or imaging tests for fibromyalgia.

How hard is it to get diagnosed with fibromyalgia?

Its main symptoms -- widespread pain and fatigue -- are a lot like those of other health problems. And there's no test or scan that can diagnose fibromyalgia, so it can be hard for your doctor to nail down what's causing your aches and pains.

What jobs can you do with fibromyalgia?

How do I get proof of disability for fibromyalgia?

You can also complete you application online or call the SSA on their toll free number: 1-800-772-1213. You will need to prove that the symptoms of fibromyalgia prevent you from working, which requires specific details about your medical history and the pain and sensitivities you encounter due to the disorder.

Can I get a service dog for fibromyalgia?

Service dogs trained in mobility support provide important help to physically disabled people, including people with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. These dogs provide increased independence by helping their handlers perform such tasks as reaching items, pushing elevator buttons, and picking things up from the floor.

What is the best doctor to see for fibromyalgia?

Rheumatologists, who have the most experience with diagnosing fibromyalgia. Pain management specialists, who have experience with treatment.

What is the drug of choice for fibromyalgia?

Gabapentin (Neurontin) is sometimes helpful in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms, while pregabalin (Lyrica) was the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia.

Can bloodwork detect fibromyalgia?

There are no lab tests that can diagnose fibromyalgia. However, because many other conditions have symptoms similar to those or fibromyalgia, your doctor may order tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms.

How do I get approved for fibromyalgia?

You can contact the nearest SSA office to apply for disability benefits for fibromyalgia. Most of the information the federal agency collects can be done over the phone, as well as by mail and online. The key is to prove the symptoms of fibromyalgia prevent you from working your current job.

How do I know if my pain is fibromyalgia?

How would you describe fibromyalgia pain?

The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are: Chronic, widespread pain throughout the body or at multiple sites. Pain is often felt in the arms, legs, head, chest, abdomen, back, and buttocks. People often describe it as aching, burning, or throbbing.

What is the root cause of fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers include: a serious injury, such as after a car accident.

How long does a flare up of fibromyalgia last?

A fibromyalgia flare is a temporary increase in the number and/or intensity of symptoms. Some flares only last for a day or two but others may continue for several weeks or even months.

Do doctors prescribe narcotics for fibromyalgia?

In most cases, opioid painkillers aren't recommended for fibromyalgia. They don't work, and they may even make the pain worse. But for serious cases, your doctor may prescribe tramadol (Ultram). Because tramadol can be addictive, you'll usually only take it for a short period of time.

Who can officially diagnose fibromyalgia?

See a GP if you think you have fibromyalgia. Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be difficult as there's no specific test to diagnose the condition. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can also vary from person to person and are similar to those of several other conditions.

Can a rheumatologist tell you if you have fibromyalgia?

However, because fibromyalgia can cause chronic pain and fatigue similar to arthritis, some people may advise you to see a rheumatologist. As a result, often a rheumatologist detects this disease (and rules out rheumatic diseases).

Do pets help fibromyalgia?

And, now a new study showed therapy dogs can help ease symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder with no known cure, but there are some treatment tools to help patients manage their symptoms such as fatigue, sleep issues, and memory and mood problems.

Does massage aggravate fibromyalgia?

One of the best treatments is for fibromyalgia sufferers to receive is massage therapy. Such therapy helps people get calf pain relief, decreases their stress hormones, and increases their serotonin level. With these benefits, it improves the overall sense of well-being.