If you are dealing with complications from fibromyalgia, you know that you may be eligible for long-term disability. But what is fibromyalgia? This disorder causes aches and pain in many areas of the body, from the neck, shoulders, back, and hips, to the arms and legs that ache badly when pressure is applied to them. Some of the other symptoms that become present in cases of fibromyalgia are cognitive and memory problems, trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, IBS, painful periods, restless leg syndrome, sensitivity to temperature, and more.

The truth is, there are many, many cases of fibromyalgia, making it a pretty common disorder. It affects as many as 5 million Americans who are over 18. Most are women who have been diagnosed during middle age and it usually occurs with other types of autoimmune diseases, like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. In most cases, other diagnoses are believed to afflict a patient before a doctor lands on a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia: Subjective Claims?

Many people believe that the symptoms of fibromyalgia are subjective. One of the reasons for this is because the disorder can only be recognized by a doctor, but not through diagnostic testing. The only way that it can be found is when doctors have ruled out every other condition and came to no conclusion. To be diagnosed, you must have pain and symptoms that last over three months, usually lasting in the same spot on both sides of the body. You may even have up to 18 tender points on your body, which a doctor will look at to make their diagnosis. The issue is, many people don’t tend to see fibromyalgia as a “real” condition, and say that their doctors do not consider their pain or disability examiners deny that it is legitimate.

What the Insurance Company Might Say

In some cases, an insurance company may claim one of the following things: They may say that you do not have fibromyalgia, your fibromyalgia does not make you functionally impaired, you are not getting proper treatment, it has been identified that there are jobs you could still work at, or a physician determined that your restrictions and limitations are no longer there, making you able to work. The fact is, it is your job to prove that the insurance company is wrong for thinking that way and you actually have limited abilities at work, making you a candidate for long-term disability. You must be able to support these conclusions with evidence, such as documentation from seeing another physician. This is why it is a good idea to always seek a physician who has experience with these cases and can take a closer look at the effects it has on your life.

If you are attempting to gain long-term disability for fibromyalgia, your best bet is to seek medical attention and talk to them about the limitations you have with work due to your condition. Moving forward may be a difficult journey at first, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. At Edelstein Martin & Nelson, we want to help you get the benefits you need. Call us today at 800-300-0909 to get started.

Sources:

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=89309

https://www.healthline.com/health/fibromyalgia-real-or-imagined#diagnosis

http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20326403,00.html

https://www.philadelphiadisabilityinsurancelawyer.com