Fibromyalgia: Is it a Real Illness?

Fibromyalgia affects increasing numbers of the adult population of Canada each year. To date, 393.000 Canadians have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, according to Statistics Canada.

Every one of these diagnoses came from doctors who accept that Fibromyalgia is a real illness. Many doctors do not. Up to 1.2 Million Canadians are reported to be suffering from “unexplained illnesses”, according to the National Post. How many of those unexplained illnesses are actually cases of Fibromyalgia is anybody’s guess.

People who suffer from Fibromylagia have muscles and joints that are constantly fatigued. Common symptoms of Fibromylagia include stiffness, insomnia, severe headaches, tingling of the hands and feet, painful menstrual cramping, and the patient having a difficult time forcing themselves to think clearly.

Doctors are often confused when they have a patient who could be suffering from Fibromylagia because no one really knows what causes the condition. People who have been diagnosed with Fibromylagia often notice the onset of symptoms after they have been involved in a stressful incident, such as a car accident.

Some patients diagnosed with Fibromylagia have previously experienced problems with repetitive injuries while others didn't notice symptoms until becoming ill.

In some cases Fibromylagia develops for no apparent reason. In cases such as these, many scientists believe that there is a gene that triggers the condition. Diseases that seem to be commonly associated with Fibromylagia are Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylistis (a spinal arthritis), and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (frequently called Lupus). If there is a history of Fibromyalgia in a family there is an increased chance that the women of that family will be diagnosed with Fibromylagia at some point in their lives.

Symptoms of Fibromylagia typically appear between the ages of thirty and fifty-five.

There are many people in the world who don't believe that there is any such illness as Fibromylagia. These people believe that Fibromylagia is just an excuse for laziness. Because of the generalized pain and tenderness associated with Fibromyalgia, doctors often have a difficult time diagnosing and treating the disease. This difficulty in diagnosis increases people’s skepticism.

It is easy for doctors to misdiagnose Fibromylagia. The symptoms of the illness mimic symptoms common to other maladies. The symptoms of Fibromylagia are similar to Anemia, Hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances, Rheumatoid arthritis, infections, joint disease, muscle disease and nerve disease. Patients who feel they are suffering from Fibromylagia need to give their doctor a complete history of their symptoms, and insist on blood work and x-rays. Some doctors have had success with nerve conduction velocity and electrocardiography to assist with diagnosis.

Another reason that treating Fibromylagia can be so difficult is because the symptoms vary so much from person to person and from day to day. Many doctors have had success using anti-depressants to help treat the fogginess and fatigue that is commonly associated with Fibromylagia. Other treatments that are commonly used when dealing with Fibromylagia include physical therapy, psychotherapy, massage and acupuncture.

Predictably, long term disability insurance providers are reluctant to acknowledge a pernicious condition which is occurring with increasing frequency among Canadian adults. Of course they are fighting against Fybromyalgia every step of the way. It is important that any person suffering with Fibromyalgia finds a physician who has experience with the illness for the simple reason that many doctors don’t yet understand it.

If you require legal help in enforcing your claim against your long term disability insurance company, seek out a long term disability lawyer firm who has won many Fybromyalgia cases.

In the event that your insurance claim is denied, do not hesitate to contact David Share Associates, a leading disability insurance and personal injury law firm in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.