Social Security Disability and Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. The American College of Rheumatology has developed criteria for diagnosing the condition when at least 11 of 18 points on the body are tender when touched. 

Social Security currently accepts these diagnostic criteria.  If you have read about Fibromyalgia on the internet and think you have it, Social Security will not consider your allegations.  Also, if you have been diagnosed by someone other than a rheumatologist, Social Security may doubt the diagnosis.

As such, it is very important to be evaluated by a rheumatologist in order to have Social Security consider the disabling effects of your Fibromyalgia.

However, this could change.  Researchers now regard the condition as a “disorder of pain signaling, arising in the central nervous system.”   As such, doctors may start to treat fibromyalgia as a neurological disorder as they learn more about the condition.

Social Security has not changed how they consider Fibromyalgia, so it is still important to see a rheumatologist. 

Social Security does not list fibromyalgia but when severe, fibromyalgia is similar to autoimmune disorders and can be just as disabling.

• If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia?
• Has a rheumatologist performed a tender point examination?
• If you experience flare ups, what is the duration and frequency?

In 1999, SSA recognized that there is considerable overlap of symptoms between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Talk to a Social Security Disability Lawyer if you're having trouble getting the compensation you deserve.