Disability in Persons with Fibromyalgia

Remaining productively employed should be a prime goal of all persons with fibromyalgia. The advantages of continued employment are not only financial, but relate to feelings of self-worth, duties to society, camaraderie, opportunities for personal growth and the pleasure of making one's own way in the world. Before considering an application for disability a fibromyalgia patient should have exhausted all avenues for job modifications to accommodate their diminished work capacity. However, as the aging process takes its toll and accentuates the problems of working with fibromyalgia, some patients will need to consider taking disability. This usually entails applying for Social Security Disability; it may also entail activating long-term disability policies obtained through one's job or the Veterans Administration.

There have been two recent rulings that may ease the process of obtaining SSD if you are a fibromyalgia patient or have chronic fatigue syndrome.

1. Social Security ruling on  chronic fatigue syndrome.

2. Social Security memorandum on fibromyalgia.

3. Veterans Administration Ruling on fibromyalgia disability

Here are some useful links for those seeking disability:

Drew Johnson's primer on Social Security Disability

Dr. Bennett's review of Disability and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Administration website on Disability: http://www.ssa.gov/SSA_Home.html

Americans with Disabilities Act website:  http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm