How does Social Security Disability view Fibromyalgia?
What exactly is Fibromyalgia and how does Social Security Disability look at it? Fibromyalgia is defined as a long-term chronic condition that causes multiple health-related issues. These include: 1. General fatigue 2. Pain and tenderness in the muscles and skeletal system 3. Disturbances in sleep and cognitive functions The difficulty with fibromyalgia is that it is often difficult to diagnose. Symptoms often mirror other conditions, and there is no definitive test used to diagnose the condition. What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia? Historically, individuals are diagnosed with fibromyalgia if they have confirmed pain in 11 out of 18 possible “tender points.” These tender points include but are not limited to the following: 1. Back of the head 2. Tops of the shoulders 3. Upper chest, hips, knees, and outer elbows Pain in these trigger points varies case-to-case. The pain can range from a mild discomfort to a more intense, almost unbearable level. For example, if you or your spouse ex...