Apply for Social Security Disability and Fibromyalgia Pain

Fibromyalgia pain is characterized by long-term pain and tenderness in muscles, tendons, joints, and other soft tissues throughout the body. This condition is most commonly found in women ages 20 to 50 and the cause is unknown. Fatigue, headaches, difficulty sleeping, and even anxiety and depression have been linked to fibromyalgia, making life very difficult for sufferers. Only an SSD expert can let you know if your fibromyalgia pain rises to the level of getting SSD benefits.

Fibromyalgia Pain and SSD

Medical professionals say that emotional or physical trauma, sleep disturbances, infections, and abnormal pain response may trigger fibromyalgia or might even cause it. The main symptom of this condition is pain spreading from soft tissue on the chest , shoulders, lower back, elbows, knees, shins, hips, and the back of the neck. Pain ranges from mild to severe and may burn, radiate, or feel like a deep aching.

Fibromyalgia pain is one of multiple types of disabilities that may quality for SSD, or Social Security Disability Income. The Social Security Administration follows a five-step process to determine whether to provide SSD to a fibromyalgia sufferer. In addition to meeting the income requirement, the disability must be severe enough to significantly limit the ability to perform the basic work-related activities necessary in most jobs. This includes standing, walking, sitting, and lifting.

Proving Fibromyalgia Pain for SSD Benefits

There is no medical listing for fibromyalgia pain, so the adjudicator must compare it to other Social Security disability diseases to find a comparable one. Pain must be widespread and present for three or more consecutive months. Upon palpitation of 11 or more to the 18 tender point sites, pain must be experienced. These sites are defined by the Centers for Disease Control and American College of Rheumatology. The individual must also be fatigued and experience stiffness in the morning or after prolonged sitting.

The adjudicator will investigate past work performed by the individual. Benefits will be denied if the person is able to continue performing this work. If the individual cannot perform this work, his or her education, age, physical and mental condition, and work experience will be reviewed to determine what work can be performed. Age-based medical and vocational rules are used to determine disability caused by fibromyalgia pain.

As Social Security disability diseases go, fibromyalgia pain is a tricky one because it can appear at various ages and in different degrees. For example, people who are under 50 and cannot perform sedentary work due to fibromyalgia may be deemed disabled. Others may be over age 60 and have only recently become unable to do any work performed within the prior 15 years. either way, fibromyalgia pain is real and the discomfort you may experience can be devastating. You deserve some help, and with our 100% free expert evaluations, we can put your mind at ease.