Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body, along with fatigue and trouble sleeping. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases says scientists do not fully understand what causes it, but people with fibromyalgia have increased sensitivity to pain. Many also report memory and concentration problems, often called "fibro fog," headaches, and mood changes.

Fibromyalgia is more common in women and is more likely in people who have other rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, or mood disorders. There is no cure, but treatment including medication, exercise, and stress management can reduce symptoms.

In the legal world, fibromyalgia matters mostly in disability claims. Because there is no blood test or scan that confirms fibromyalgia, disability insurers frequently deny or cut off benefits by arguing the claimant lacks "objective evidence" of their condition. Courts in some circuits have criticized insurers for demanding objective proof of a condition that, by its nature, is diagnosed largely from symptoms and clinical findings, especially when the policy does not require it. Social Security has specific guidance on evaluating fibromyalgia, which relies on a documented diagnosis and a long record of symptoms.

If you have fibromyalgia and a disability claim, strong documentation is the key: consistent treatment records, notes on how symptoms limit specific work tasks, and statements from treating doctors. Read the policy's definition of disability and its limits on "self-reported" conditions. Our long-term disability denial page and ERISA entry explain how appeals and lawsuits work.