 SSDRC What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI? If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits? How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition? What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare? How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid? Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability? What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression? Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability Status Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts |
Fibromyalgia, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits Fibromyalgia, previously known as fibrositis and muscular rheumatism, is a chronic condition that is most noted by widespread pain all over the body, from muscles and tendons to ligaments, and extreme heightened sensitivity to light, odors, sound and touch, also known as allodynia. Other signs and symptoms of the disease are extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches and facial pain, sometimes accompanied by chest pain, anxiety, dizziness, numbness in feet and hands, depression, mood changes and dry eyes, mouth and skin. The cause of fibromyalgia is still highly unknown though many studies have linked the condition to Lyme Disease, genetics, stress, trauma, depression and abnormal dopamine or serotonin levels. While some researchers feel that sleep disturbance is symptom of fibromyalgia, others feel the sleep disturbance may be a cause. Most often with fibromyalgia sleep is regular, although rest is not achieved. Many people wake up day after day feeling as though they have not slept, which causes extreme fatigue and sensitivities. Fibromyalgia is more prevalent in women than men, usually between the ages of 20 and 50, and is not contagious nor life threatening, and is not thought to be progressive. It does however go through stages of flare-ups and remission. Symptoms can vary greatly from day to day and are thought to be dependent upon the weather and environment. For instance, environmental stressors may exasperate symptoms, as can barometric pressure and humidity. Fibromyalgia has only been recognized as an illness and cause of disability since 1987 and controversy among researchers still exists surrounding the condition. Because of ongoing controversy, diagnosis criteria are still under somewhat of a debate. ‘The ACR 1990’ a system of classification criteria developed by American College of Rheumatology is the most widely accepted criteria to diagnose the condition. The criteria in ‘The ACR 1990’ includes widespread pain that affects all four quadrants of the body for more than three months in addition to a certain level of pain at designated tender points on the body. While some doctors claim to have cured fibromyalgia, it is not commonly thought of as ‘curable’, though there are many treatments that can reduce flare ups and keep the condition under control, from pain relievers, muscle relaxants and tricyclic antidepressants to anti-seizure drugs, dopamine agonists and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Many different treatments can target certain symptoms of the condition. Fibromyalgia patients have also reported successfully using cannabis to treat symptoms. Exercise, a healthy diet, massage, physical therapy, acupuncture and a wide variety of other treatments have been proven beneficial in treating fibromyalgia. 
Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page Individual Questions and Answers SSD and SSI are Federal Programs The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here: Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state Special Section: Tips and Advice for Social Security Disability and SSI Claims |