At Andalman & Flynn, we have fought and won many cases based on a misunderstood illness known as fibromyalgia. If you have fibromyalgia and are unable to work, we can help! We are familiar with the medically accepted method of diagnosing fibromyalgia and its vast array of symptoms.
Contact us to speak with an experienced disability benefits lawyer on our team, and we’ll do everything we can to maximize your chances of success.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes fatigue and muscles pain. Fibromyalgia also may have cognitive symptoms such as anxiety and/or depression. Common symptoms that an individual will have during this disease include, but are not limited to:
- Decreased pain threshold or tender points
- Incapacitating fatigue
- Widespread pain
- Trouble sleeping
- Morning stiffness
- Headaches
- Painful menstrual periods in women
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
- Problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called “fibro fog”)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Hypersensitivity to cold and/or heat
- Dryness in the mouth, eyes, and nose
- Anxiety and/or depression
Fibromyalgia Diagnosis
There is no known cause for fibromyalgia and no known cure. However, medicine and a healthy lifestyle (getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising) can help manage symptoms. More than 12 million Americans have been diagnosed with the illness according to WebMD and anyone of any age, gender, or ethnicity can get it. However, the disease is most common in middle-aged women, and women are 10 times more likely to acquire it than men. People with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are particularly likely to develop fibromyalgia.
To diagnose the illness, your doctor will look at your past history, perform physical exams, and order a blood test (called FM/a) which looks for identification markers produced by blood cells in people with fibromyalgia. Most likely your doctor will have to exclude numerous other diagnoses.
Fibromyalgia Disability Benefits
A small percentage of people suffering from fibromyalgia suffer debilitating symptoms that prevent them from working. The Social Security Administration (SSA) can find you disabled to work because of fibromyalgia and has issued a Social Security Ruling (SSR) on fibromyalgia, SSR No. 12-2. Should they determine that you are among those whose condition disables you from working, you may be eligible for fibromyalgia disability benefits.
Consult with Experienced Fibromyalgia Disability Lawyers
If you suffer from fibromyalgia and your condition has made you unable to perform your work duties, contact Andalman & Flynn. Our disability benefits attorneys are experienced in representing individuals throughout the country who are struggling with this difficult condition. We offer initial consultations free of charge to our disability clients. If you are interested in setting up a meeting with one of our experienced fibromyalgia disability lawyers, either in person or by phone, please fill out an online contact form or call us at 301-563-6685.