Fibromyalgia and chronic pain could keep you from working

When you are unable to work due to a medical condition or injury, you know that not only can this be a physically painful time, it can be a direct threat to the well-being of your North Carolina family. The inability to work compromises your ability to provide for your family, and this can be very stressful during an already difficult time.

Thankfully, there are various legal options available to individuals who are unable to hold gainful employment due to medical conditions or serious injuries. One of these options is to file for disability benefits. You have the right to pursue this type of financial support for various types of disabling conditions, including chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia.

How can fibromyalgia affect your life?

Fibromyalgia is a type of chronic pain disorder that can make life very difficult for the people who suffer from it. This type of condition is very difficult because symptoms and the severity of the pain can come and go, increase and decrease over time. Since this type of disorder is unseen, many people misunderstand the significant ways that it can impact a victim’s ability to work. Consider the following:

• This type of illness is not only physical — it can have a significant mental, emotional and social impact on a victim as well.
• Common symptoms and side effects of this type of illness include varying degrees of pain, fatigue, cognitive difficulties and more.
• Some people with fibromyalgia may find that they also deal with anxiety, depression and other mental disorders.
• For some people who have this disorder, management of symptoms is difficult, if not impossible, making it hard to hold regular employment.

No two cases of fibromyalgia are the same. While others are able to manage the side effects and live relatively normally, that may not be possible for you. If you cannot work and earn a living because of this medical condition, you may consider filing for disability benefits.

What should you expect from the claims process?

Navigating the disability claims process can be complex. Many first-time applications come back denied, and you may not even know where to begin with your claim. Fortunately, you do not have to take one step of this process alone.

You have the right to seek help as you walk through the claims process. With guidance, you can gather the necessary documentation, fill out the necessary paperwork and even deal with appeals effectively. When fibromyalgia affects your ability to work, you would be wise to know your options.