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Fibromyalgia

Is Fibromyalgia a Disability?

Is Fibromyalgia a disability uk

Fibromyalgia is now considered a disability in the UK. It is a real condition and not just something that is “all in the mind.”

Luckily, the days of patients being told by GPs that fibromyalgia is a made-up condition, are now long gone. Doctors now accept many chronic fatigue conditions and chronic pain conditions, with a lot more knowledge generally around diagnosing and treating them.

A person is considered to be disabled in the UK if they have a substantial and long-term negative physical or mental impairment. Essentially this means anything that causes serious difficulties carrying out normal daily activities, takes much longer than it usually would.

In the UK, fibromyalgia is considered a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This means that people with fibromyalgia are protected from discrimination on the basis of their disability, and they may be eligible for certain accommodations and support. The DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) sees fibromyalgia as a significantly disabling condition. 

For example, people with fibromyalgia may be entitled to reasonable adjustments at work, such as flexible working hours or changes to their workstation. They may also be eligible for disability benefits, such as the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which provides financial support for individuals with a long-term health condition or disability.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Chronic pain takes a significant toll on daily life, but some may experience flare-ups less regularly than others who are in constant pain. 

Symptoms can include:

  • Pain all around the body in different forms, such as stabbing, shooting, throbbing, etc.
  • Lots of fatigue and tiredness
  • Highly increased pain sensitivity
  • Difficulty concentrating and remembering things – also known as ‘brain fog’
  • Insomnia, being unable to get to a deep sleep
  • Stiffness in muscles and joints
  • Trouble with balance – vertigo, dizziness
  • Intolerance of certain foods
  • Sensitivity to changes in the atmosphere like heat/cold
  • Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression
  • Problems with digestion, or conditions like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
  • Migraines or headaches
weed tolerance

Is Fibromyalgia a disability UK: Medical cannabis treatment

Currently, there is no cure for fibromyalgia itself. Instead, treatment focuses on improving symptoms like the ones above, either with pain relief or helping with sleep, digestion, etc.

All patients require a tailored plan, but when first-line therapies appear to fail, another option is medical cannabis.

In 2017, the National Academies Press (NAP) published a comprehensive review of the health effects of cannabis, including therapeutic effects. According to the review, substantial evidence suggests cannabis is effective in treating chronic pain in adults.

Based on the research above, medical cannabis might be able to help manage pain and sleep disturbances associated with fibromyalgia.

There is some evidence to suggest that medical cannabis may be effective in treating fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions. A number of clinical studies have found that medical cannabis can reduce pain, improve sleep, and improve quality of life for people with chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia.

However, the use of medical cannabis for fibromyalgia is not without controversy. Some doctors and medical organisations argue that there is not enough evidence to support the use of medical cannabis for fibromyalgia, and that its risks and side effects have not been adequately studied.

Additionally, medical cannabis is not currently available on the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, which means that patients would have to pay for it out of pocket. This can be a significant financial burden for some patients, and it may not be an option for everyone.

Despite these challenges, some people with fibromyalgia in the UK have reported experiencing significant relief from their symptoms when using medical cannabis. As more research is conducted, it will be important to continue studying the potential benefits and risks of medical cannabis for fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions.

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