Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by chronic, widespread pain. You may feel pain in particular areas such as your head and neck, or your whole body may ache. Many people who have fibromyalgia recognize that their symptoms started after the trauma of a car accident.
Scientists believe that fibromyalgia affects the way your brain processes pain signals, and that it actually amplifies your perception of pain. Some people with fibromyalgia also experience increased sensitivity to other forms of sensory input such as strong odors.
The Trauma of a Car Accident
When you are in a car accident, you may experience trauma that at first appears to be minor. You might be aware that you have had a soft tissue injury or that you have some soreness. But when your head, neck or back is jolted, damage may be more severe than it first appears.
At the other extreme is a car accident that clearly causes severe injury such as broken bones in the back or neck that may lead to the need for spinal surgery. In either case, you may feel sure that the car accident was the event that caused the onset of symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is considered a syndrome, not a disease. This means it consists of groups of symptoms rather than being an established condition. Some of the symptoms that sufferers of this syndrome experience include:
- Stiffness and pain all over the body
- Sleep problems such as insomnia, sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome
- Depression and anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating and other cognitive problems
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Morning stiffness
Fibromyalgia Pain
The pain of fibromyalgia can be described as aching, throbbing, sharp or dull. You may feel soreness or discomfort in ligaments, muscles, tendons or joints. Many people have specific tender points which are very painful when touched.
As time passes after a car accident, it’s normal to expect your pain to decrease, but if you develop fibromyalgia, your sensations of pain are likely to increase instead. Fibromyalgia is a chronic, debilitating syndrome. There is no cure at this time, only management of symptoms.
Proving Fibromyalgia was Triggered by a Car Accident or Other Trauma
It can be difficult to prove that fibromyalgia was actually caused by a car accident. For some people, symptoms don’t develop right way and if you state that you are not injured or that you believe you have fully recovered too early, it can be hard to prove that the accident triggered fibromyalgia if symptoms develop months later.
When chronic pain starts to develop, it can take quite a while for a doctor to arrive at a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and there are strict time limits for filing a personal injury claim. Proving fibromyalgia was triggered by a trauma can be difficult due to the complex nature of the condition and the fact that it takes time to diagnose. But, there have been cases in which compensation for fibromyalgia after a car accident has been successfully obtained.
Working with a Top Personal Injury Lawyer
When you develop a condition characterized by chronic pain such as fibromyalgia, you deserve to be fairly compensated. Fibromyalgia will impact your life for the rest of your life, so choosing an attorney who will fight for fair compensation is imperative.
Taos Injury Lawyers are committed to offering the best representation possible for those who have been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, including situations in which complications have developed months after an accident. Contact us today using the form on this page, and discuss your situation with one of our expert legal professionals.