We all know who Lady Gaga is, She is not only a World Famous Pop Star but also suffering from fibromyalgia. In the October edition of Vogue, 33 years old Pop star discusses her struggle with fibromyalgia, A Chronic Illness which affects millions of people around the globe.
Lady Gaga said that she gets really annoyed by people who don’t think that fibromyalgia is a REAL illness. She also added that fibromyalgia is merely not a composition of Pain and fatigue, Its also include anxiety, Depression, PTSD and panic disorder. With all these symptoms, Our body gets really disturbed which eventually cause severe Nerve Pain.
“People need to be more Understanding towards Fibromyalgia. Chronic pain is not a joke. And it’s every day waking up not knowing how you’re going to feel.” She added
Lady Gaga revealed last September that she is suffering from this miserable disease, Right before the release of her documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two.
On her Offical Twitter Account, She tweeted that she would love to raise awareness for chronic illness and would love to connect with people who have it.
Lady Gaga sometimes had to go through very rough Pain that she was unable to perform in her concerts. She was hospitalized in September 2017 due to severe pain and had to cancel her all upcoming concerts.
Dr. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, Associate Professor of Medicine in Rheumatology at Mcgill University added that In previous years fibromyalgia was not considered as a real disease because the patient was looking fine and there was no physical evidence of this disease.
It is a very common perception among friends and family of the patient that fibromyalgia is not a real disease but its all in Patients Head because the patient is looking healthy from the outside.
Fitzcharles also said that Previously we thought that patient has mental issues which caused him/her to have extreme pain but now Fibromyalgia is a completely recognized disease.
What is fibromyalgia?
Fitzcharles told Global News that Fibromyalgia is a mysterious chronic disease in which person seems fine from outside but he/she is having miserable Chronic Pain in their muscles and tendons. Other Common symptoms of fibromyalgia are Sensory Disability, Fatigue, Anxiety, and depression.
In a Recent Research by Arthritis society of Canada, About 3% of Whole Canada population is affected with fibromyalgia, from this 3% affected Population, 90% are women and rest are men. People between the age of 20 and 50 are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
Right Now there is NO CURE for Fibromyalgia which is very disappointing. You can only reduce your symptoms or control Pain by using different medications.
What does fibromyalgia feel like?
As Discussed Previously, Fibromyalgia is a Composition of many symptoms like Fatigue, Disrupted Sleep, IBS and Mood disorder but there is one common symptom in all fibro patients and that symptom is Severe Pain. Sometimes I have so severe pain that I can barely Breath.
Fitzcharles Added that Patients have issues with sensory disabilities. Even a gentle touch or stroking the skin will feel like you have been hit by a Hammer.
She further explained that this severe pain may be caused by the disconnection between the patient body and its nervous system. The list of symptoms for fibromyalgia seems countless.
She further added that People also complained about the high pitched noises and Strong lights. This kind of sensory disability is called hypervigilance.
What causes fibromyalgia?
When Asked by Patients, Doctors are usually unable to answer these questions because they don’t know the exact reason for fibromyalgia. Often it is tracked back to a Traumatic Event.
Fitcharles told that most of her patients said that fibromyalgia is triggered by a traumatic Event. They were in perfect physical health before. Traumatic Event can vary from a motor vehicle accident to broken bone or Some extremely stressful psychological event may have triggered it.“
She also said that there is a chance that fibromyalgia might be a genetic disease because about 67% of patients have said that fibromyalgia hit them out of the blue so the only explanation is a family history.
Why fibromyalgia is hard to diagnose?
Fibromyalgia is a mystery for the medical community. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is a very hard process because there is no standard test for Fibromyalgia and also there is no test to confirm the diagnosis. Symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary from patient to patient which makes it even harder for diagnosis, Plus patient seems healthy from its Physique.
Fitzcharles said that the patient looks totally normal in the start stages of fibromyalgia. There is mild pain in the body, No fever, and no swelling So usually doctors just gave the Pain medicine, Only Patient knows that something is eating him/her from the inside.
She added that usually, it takes up to 5 years for a patient to get a diagnosis for fibromyalgia.
She suggested that in order to get an early diagnosis, Doctors need to take medical history into consideration. Check whether there is any symptom which can relate to fibromyalgia. Also, look for a family medical history of fibromyalgia.
She also suggested that doctors should do medical tests to rule out other illnesses. She also recommended not to overdo MRIs and X-RAY tests.
How to treat fibromyalgia?
One of the most common methods for minimizing your fibromyalgia symptoms is to use medication. Medication has many side effects so just try to use where deemed necessary. Fitzcharles also added that many patients can reduce their symptoms by updating their lifestyle like eating healthy and getting proper sleep.
One of the ways to reduce your fibromyalgia is to limit your physical activity. Don’t push yourself to a limit where your body might break down.
In the case of medication, Try to use those medicine which actually reduces your pain with minimal side effects. Do not overuse any medicine.
There are many therapies available which can help reduce your fibromyalgia. Some people might find Yoga or taichi helpful. Weighted Blankets are very common these days and fibro patients tend to like them. Eating healthy like Bananas and beans also aid fibromyalgia.
Hi there , I am recently diagnosed and the hardest part is no one understands. I feel like I’m in a silent alone place. Thank you for this article.
Yes I understand you …I feel so like you do . It’s so upsetting when those closest to you ridicule and belittle you for being in pain..IIts something you can’t control. have been called everything from Attention seeking to a cry baby by my own flesh and blood. What hurt even more is even through all this I have been her support base always there helping with her children etc. Some days I just wanted to scream ‘ I can’t do it’.
Adrienne, don’t worry too much about the label. Just focus on getting rid of the symptoms which may include seeing a lot of specialists, not just one but 2 or 3. Find the best, the most patient and the one which has the best communication skills. There is always a chance that your current diagnosis will turn into 2 or 3 health problems including or not including fibromyalgia. Right now they probably just labeled you as having the disease because they ruled out other problems. Get plenty of rest and make sure you also see a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders so that you are regularly tested. Make sure you exercise (especially in a swimming pool if you can), take vitamins until you can increase the vitamins through diet, etc. Don’t worry that they have yet to find a cure.
This is a disease that mainly affects women. (They are still working on the next little blue pill.) Make sure you vote each year … at the local, state & federal levels.
All my best!
I’ve have had fibromyalgia for 36yrs got it after a bad car accident. You have to reconize what makes your pain worseand try to not do it. Ask for help if possible. If you do overdue it make sure you do it to have fun.
I know how it feels, I’ve been fighting Fibro and chronic pain for over 35 years, I tried everything ( physical therapy, meds and now a series of injections) and pain is always present. I feel very alone now. I feel for Lady Gaga, absolutely and I am amazed by her performances.
I would love to be one if the Fibromyalgia fighters who can talk to Lady Gaga about her own challenges and what she has learned from the doctors who care for her. I have had Fibromyalgia for over 20 yrs. It is now affecting my career as a nurse, I have terrible brain fog, I cannot concentrate, and need to review everything I do at least 2 times before I do it. I’m in constant pain, muscle spasms, joints throbs and sleep deprived. I have been in 2 car accidents, 3 miscarriages, relationship failures, death of spouse, and I’m afraid of not being able to work to support myself. I am so interested in learning what others are doing to have a quality of life, maintain financial stability and enjoy each day.
I was told 2009 by arthritis dr I have it prior every night when all I wanted was for the pain go away and be able to sleep it’s torture to live with it
Walking as much as possible (I can manage 1/2 an hour, usually), then I do Tai Chi every other day, it’s wonderful after a warm shower (the warm water is heaven for sore muscles), the Tai Chi is gentle, stretching movements that’s called “meditation in movement” because you just concentrate on your moving body and try not to think of other stuff. One needs to take lessons from a Tai Chi teacher for about a year, but after that I went on doing it without professional help. I remember all the movements. I don’t have brain fog, fortunately!
Pain is always there, but it’s tolerable, most of the time. I take Tramadol when it gets bad. No luck with cannabis oil, doctor prescribed 5 different mixes, some with THC added, but to no effect. I was so disappointed. Good luck to all, may your pain be tolerable, luv ya!
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to put their feelings on here, I now know i’m not alone in the pain I feel I have terribly brain fog sleep deprivation, & tremendous pain, I believe it was brought on. by a car accident I was involved in then my daughter left home to work away, my relationship broke down as he couldn’t cope with my pain he wasn’t interested then my mum passed, away, so i’m left here just the terrible pain & my beautiful little dog, i’m holding on to my career by the skin of my teeth due to time off lifecan be tough x
How are you supposed to “get plenty of rest” when you can’t rest at all? I seldom sleep well – if I sleep. Lately, I’ve been waking around 4 am and unable to get back to sleep. I am ***NOT*** a morning person. I’m going to have to go back to bed, maybe take a pill because my eyes are messed up. Good grief, this sucks!
I’ve had fibromyalgia for 11 years now. What’s helped me is acupuncture, massage, yoga, and essential oils. I have fibro fog , I can’t really gage how bad but it’s definitely there and I have hard time concentrating so I have to recheck everything I do specially when I have to do math or remember dates. I think the hardest part for me is the severe fatigue I feel. I find myself laying in bed or on the couch wanting to get up and participate in family activities and yet not being able to move and if I join in and have to be active I begin to have shortness of breath because of how much energy it takes to move. The next hardest thing is looking at my kids eyes with sadness or extended family member’s eyes in disbelief of my shortness of breath almost as if I’m exaggerating. I commend us all!
It so nice to be able to know that I am not alone!!! Thank you