Fibromyalgia is a little-understood musculo-skeletal syndrome that includes a range of symptoms. Characterized by intense pain and fatigue, it is also accompanied by certain emotional symptoms, making it a condition that could be easily mis-diagnosed and confused with other medical or psychological problems.

Recent studies have shown that fibromyalgia involves a change in the central nervous system which heightens the experience, perception and presentation of pain. Infections like flu, Epstein-Barr virus and pneumonia could cause these changes, as do injuries sustained in motor-vehicle accidents.

If you or a loved one experiences symptoms of fibromyalgia following a motor-vehicle accident, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Victims of motor-vehicle accidents are entitled to seek compensation from those responsible for the accident and our car accident lawyers can assist you with filing a suitable claim that addresses your losses. 

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Though fibromyalgia is not very clearly understood, most medical practitioners agree that it is a type of soft-tissue rheumatic or arthritic complaint that may be caused by an invading organism and causes pain in the muscles and stiffness in the joints. Characteristically, the generalized pain is felt all over the body and could last for several months or even years. Sometimes, the pain is felt most acutely on certain parts of the body, like the back, neck, shoulders, knees, elbows, buttocks, etc. and it is invariably accompanied by a feeling of intense fatigue and emotional symptoms like depression. There is also heightened sensitivity to pressure and touch. Many people, including physicians, tend to dismiss, ignore or minimize the symptoms but the person who develops fibromyalgia requires special care with a multi-disciplinary approach.

Diagnosis

The presenting symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Low pain threshold on pressure points
• Anxiety/depression
• Fatigue
• Widespread pain

Pain is highly subjective and cannot be quantified or measured. Physicians base the diagnosis on patient interviews, clinical examinations and gradation on pain scales. Fibromyalgia can be diagnosed if the pain is widespread and is felt in at least eleven of the eighteen conventionally tender point points of the body when palpated. Pain and pressure sensitivity should have lasted for more than three months to be classified as fibromyalgia. Other possible causes/criteria have to be eliminated.

In fact, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia involves a bio-psycho-social approach that takes into account the previous history of the patient and the possible triggers that could have led to the condition. Our immediate personal injury lawyers available 24×7 can ensure that the correct diagnosis is arrived at by competent and sensitive medical professionals.

Causes 

Being inadequately understood, the causes of fibromyalgia could range from genetics, hormonal imbalances to stress. Additionally, it may not arise from just one cause or event, but could be triggered off by them. Other possible reasons include:

• Stress
• Injury
• Physical trauma
• Viral or bacterial infections
• Weakened immunity
• Lyme’s disease

Fibromyalgia is statistically more common in women, and the possible theories include the lower serotonin (the feel-good hormone) levels found in women, and the increased hormonal activity at different stages including puberty, pregnancy, menopause etc.

Currently, most medical professionals agree that micro-traumas or very small, almost invisible damage to different parts of the body could lead to a continuous cycle of pain and fatigue. Trauma to the brain, spinal cord following an injury or accident could develop into fibromyalgia. Our traumatic brain injury lawyers can assist motor-vehicle accident victims to get a thorough medical examination and establish the link between the auto accident and their fibromyalgia symptoms.

Treatment

Fibromyalgia requires a multi-disciplinary approach and a multi-pronged treatment, that could be spread over a long period of time. Physicians, pharmacologists, care-givers, psychologists, family-members, etc need to pool their data and work out a systematic plan for treatment.

It includes:

• Proper diet, nutrition and sleep
• Appropriate, regular and safe exercise regime
• Life-style changes
• Avoidance of coffee, colas and diet drinks
• Emotional support
• Psycho-social interventions
• Massage
• Moist heat treatments
• Pain medications and anti-depressants
• Relaxation techniques
• Yoga 

How We Can Assist

Following a motor-vehicle accident when fibromyalgia symptoms occur, find a personal injury attorney who has experience in specifically dealing with these types of cases. Most free consultation injury lawyers can provide swift, comprehensive and practical advice and evaluations based on the merits of your case and assist the sufferer to get the right kind of medical treatment. Dealing with insurance companies, assembling expert medical testimony, establishing the facts of the motor-vehicle accident and fixing liability are some of the benefits that a trained, experienced personal injury lawyer can help victims with. 

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help.TM (416 931 5015)