Fibromyalgia: October 2, 2009 started off like any other day for Laura, she woke up early, got her kids ready for school, and went to work, as she had done many times before. After finishing her shift, she got into her car and started her journey home. It was a perfect autumn afternoon, and Laura was looking forward to seeing her family and spending some time outside with them. Little did she know that on this day her life would change forever. Had the other driver obeyed the law and stopped his car at the STOP sign, Laura would be living a good life; instead this hard working mother is forced to live for the rest of her life with debilitating pain.

By Joseph Caprara of CBLAW posted in Chronic-Pain on Thursday, July 26, 2012.

The Story

October 2, 2009 started off like any other day for Laura, she woke up early, got her kids ready for school, and went to work, as she had done many times before. After finishing her shift, she got into her car and started her journey home. It was a perfect autumn afternoon, and Laura was looking forward to seeing her family and spending some time outside with them. Little did she know that on this day her life would change forever.

Had the other driver obeyed the law and stopped his car at the STOP sign, Laura would be living a good life; instead this hard working mother is forced to live for the rest of her life with debilitating pain.

Laura sustained injuries to her neck, shoulder and back as a result of the accident. She thought that with therapy her pain would go away and she would be able to return to work and enjoy the activities that she and her family enjoyed doing. Her pain didn’t go away despite time, countless treatment, and medication. Instead, her pain got worse and more widespread and caused her to have physical limitations for the rest of her life.

Laura’s injuries developed into chronic pain and her condition was diagnosed as Fibromyalgia. CBLAW assembled a team of medical and rehabilitation experts to help Laura learn to mange and live with her pain, and ensure that she received all the services she required and financial support for her and her family.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a long-term disorder that affects the muscles and surrounding soft tissue as well as ligaments and tendons throughout the body. Primary side effects include muscle achiness, fatigue, interrupted sleep, headaches, depression, anxiety and tenderness in various regions of the body. People suffering from fibromyalgia compare it to what if might feel like to have a flu virus that just won’t go away.

Other terms used in place of fibromyalgia include fibromyositis, fibrositis, periarticular fibrositis, muscular rheumatism, chronic muscle pain syndrome, musculoskeletal pain syndrome, and tension myalgia. Fibromyalgia has gradually become the term of preference because it literally means “pain of the muscles and other fibrous tissue.” The ones with the suffix “itis” are erroneous because it stands for “inflammation,” and inflammation is not a significant trait of fibromyalgia.

Symptoms

Pain is the main symptom of fibromyalgia. It may be mild to severe. This pain can be anywhere from slight discomfort to excruciating enough to keep the person from working and participating in social events and routine tasks. A person with fibromyalgia will typically experience soreness of the neck, shoulders, chest, ribs, lower back, and thighs. The pain may be described as burning, gnawing, pulsating, piercing, or nagging and gradually becomes worse. It tends to be more bothersome when the person is sitting still rather than during movement.

Another trait of fibromyalgia is the existence of “tender points,” or muscles and tendons sensitive to the touch. Tender points are found in the soft tissue on the back of the neck, shoulders, chest, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, and knees. The pain then spreads out from these areas.

People with fibromyalgia tend to wake up with body aches and stiffness. For some, pain improves during the day and gets worse at night. Others experience pain all day long.

Pain may get worse with activity, cold or damp weather, anxiety, and stress.

Fatigue, depressed mood, and sleep problems are seen in almost all persons with fibromyalgia. Many say that they can’t get to sleep or stay asleep, and they feel tired when they wake up.

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia may include:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Memory and concentration problems
Numbness and tingling in hands and feet
Palpitations, heartbeat sensations that feel like your heart is pounding or racing
Reduced ability to exercise
Tension or migraine headaches

Causes

Medical professionals are not entirely sure what causes fibromyalgia, but they do believe it stems from sleep disturbances or an emotional or physical traumatic event affecting the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. Others think that a virus or bacteria is to blame. Overproduction of chemicals released in conjunction with pain also promotes some of the symptoms brought on by fibromyalgia.

If you are experiencing symptoms related to fibromyalgia and have been involved in a severe accident you may be eligible to receive compensation. The trauma lawyers at CAPRARA BARRISTERS take numerous lawsuits to trial, helping persons suffering from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain and other personal injury cases. If you would like to learn more, feel free to call us and speak to a member of our trauma trial lawyers.

Joseph Caprara