Contact us today to discuss how we can offer you a more specialist service for your Fibromyalgia compensation claim.Call us now on 01225 462871 or complete the Contact Form at the foot of this page. |
Contents
- Fibromyalgia solicitors UK
- Fibromyalgia accident claim
- What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
- What causes fibromyalgia?
- Fibromyalgia after car crash
- Is fibromyalgia real?
- How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
- Fibromyalgia treatment
- Fibromyalgia diet
In most cases, we can act on a No Win/No Fee basis or under the terms of your legal expenses insurance policy.Find out more about legal costs. |
Fibromyalgia solicitors UK
We are leading lawyers for fibromyalgia compensation claims. We have a proven track record of securing our clients the very best treatment and the maximum compensation they need to protect them and their families for the future. So if you need a specialist fibromyalgia lawyer, please call us today on 01225 462871, to see how we can help you.
We guarantee:
- The call will be free.
- You will speak directly to one of our highly specialist solicitors.
- We will not hurry you – we want to fully understand your claim and how the condition affects you.
- You will not be put under any pressure to instruct us. We want you to be entirely happy and comfortable with us before you decide to proceed.
- Should you decide to instruct us, if at all possible, the solicitor you have already spoken to will represent you.
- If you decide to instruct us, you will not have to deal further with your current solicitor. We will handle that for you.
Fibromyalgia accident claim
While it may seem unusual these days, we are fibromyalgia compensation lawyers who like to meet our clients! But we understand that if you are living with fibromyalgia, you may not be as mobile as you once were. So, if travelling to see us about your fibromyalgia compensation claim is difficult, we may be able to see you at home or at another location more convenient for you.
“My doctor diagnosed fibromyalgia after my road accident but my last solicitors really didn’t take me seriously. I eventually contacted BLB and Bruce Dyer looked after me. Bruce really understands fibromyalgia and got the top specialists on board. It was a fight but we won. I will always recommend Bruce and BLB.” AK (£475,000 recovered)
See our many articles on fibromyalgia – living with the condition, therapies, treatment, and your disability rights. |
What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
As fibromyalgia solicitors, we have a great deal of experience in helping clients suffering from the condition. Typically, as a fibromyalgia sufferer, you will experience a range of symptoms, but it is likely that the most debilitating of those is widespread pain throughout your body.
Pain in the soft fibrous tissues such as the muscles, tendons and ligaments, often likened to flu-like symptoms of widespread aching, but constant and unrelenting characterises the condition.
In addition to pain, our clients commonly report symptoms such as:
- Extreme sensitivity
- Stiffness
- Fatigue
- Poor (non-restorative) sleep
- Cognitive problems
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Depression
It is now widely accepted that fibromyalgia is one of a number of conditions that result from central sensitisation. Indeed, many of our clients with fibromyalgia are additionally suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, which also results from central sensitisation.
Fibromyalgia may develop spontaneously (primary fibromyalgia) or as a result of physical trauma such as that experienced in a road traffic accident (post-traumatic fibromyalgia).
What causes fibromyalgia?
Whilst the precise cause of the symptoms of fibromyalgia and other conditions arising from central sensitisation remains unknown, they are frequently triggered by a stressful or traumatic event such as a physical injury (eg a whiplash injury or a fall).
However, it can also develop from a viral infection or surgery, or from psychological factors such as stress in the workplace, a bereavement or the breakdown of a relationship. Confusingly, in some cases, the condition develops without any clear and obvious triggering event.
Studies suggest that women are seven times more likely to develop the condition than men and that the predominant age for developing the condition is between 30 and 50 years of age. However, there are many cases of children developing fibromyalgia.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you’ve done for me. Time and time again during this process you proved you understood what I was going through and really kept me going. It’ll be strange now not speaking to you regularly. You are so reassuring and always filled me with confidence that we’d succeed. And we did! Thank you again.” MB (£435,000 recovered)
Fibromyalgia after car crash
A common scenario we encounter is people who develop fibromyalgia after a car crash. In fact, for reasons which are not entirely understood, the trauma of a road traffic collision is a leading cause of fibromyalgia. If you are seeking fibromyalgia compensation following a car accident, contact us today.
Is fibromyalgia real?
This may seem a very odd question to ask, but for many years there was a significant body of medical opinion that questioned the existence of fibromyalgia, and sufferers would frequently encounter scepticism and suggestions that their perceived symptoms were ‘all in the mind’.
Fortunately, times have changed and in the UK. the Government recognises fibromyalgia as a genuine, disabling medical condition. Indeed, in recent years they have allocated significant financial resources to researching the condition.
The NHS has published detailed notes on its website, which provide extensive information for those wishing to learn more.
The DWP also recognises fibromyalgia as a real medical condition and, at least in theory, accepts as genuinely disabled those diagnosed with the condition. In practice, people who suffer from fibromyalgia often struggle to obtain or maintain their benefits.
“You proved to me in our first telephone call that you understand fibromyalgia. Your confidence won me over and I’m so pleased it did!” GT (£350,000 recovered)
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
It is commonly accepted that fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose. This is one of the reasons why it’s unknown how exactly many people the condition affects, although it is estimated that it affects around 5% of the population to varying degrees.
The symptoms vary considerably and misdiagnosis is not uncommon as the symptoms often present as they do in other conditions such as:
- hyperthyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland);
- chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or ME); and
- rheumatoid arthritis.
If the doctor suspects fibromyalgia, then, as it is largely a diagnosis of exclusion, blood and urine samples are routinely taken and tested for these other conditions. Confusingly, however, patients with these conditions often concurrently suffer from fibromyalgia.
According to the NHS, the most commonly used criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia are:
- The presence of severe pain in 3 to 6 different areas or milder pain in 7 or more different areas;
- Persistence of symptoms at a more or less constant and similar level for at least 3 months;
- No other explanation for the persistence of these symptoms is identified.
The Royal College of Physicians has now published diagnostic guidelines for fibromyalgia.
“Andrew, I feel so lucky to have found you. What a difference you made! Let’s face it, with [previous solicitors] the claim was heading for the rocks. Thank you so much.” TR (£365,000 recovered)
Fibromalgia treatment
Fibromyalgia is currently not a curable condition, and treatment does not involve a single approach. Rather, through trial and error, working with their consultant and/or GP, most people will find a combination of therapies that provide optimum relief of their symptoms. These therapies include:
- Medication including painkillers, anticonvulsants, sleeping medication, muscle relaxants and antidepressants.
- Vitamins B9 (Folic Acid) and B12 – research has demonstrated that the benefits of taking folic acid in conjunction with vitamin B12 are particularly beneficial to those diagnosed as suffering from both chronic fatigue syndrome (ME) and fibromyalgia. It was also found that higher doses of these supplements leads to a greater reduction in symptoms.
- Pain management programmes and lifestyle changes – the idea behind them is to turn existing with chronic pain into living with chronic pain.
- Therapy, typically Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, addresses the psychological aspects of the condition.
- Sleep Hygeine.
- Alternative Therapies – as with so many aspects of fibromyalgia, finding what works for you really is a case of trial and error. Common therapies that people report as being beneficial are physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture and reflexology.
With the help of such medication and therapies, many people are able to manage some of their symptoms leading to an increased level of function and improved quality of life. Sufferers are often encouraged to carry on working and undertake regular exercise, as difficult as this may be. Self-management has a large role to play in fibromyalgia treatment and ‘pacing’ is key, whereby the sufferer learns to work within their limitations to reduce the occurrence of flare-ups.
“A huge thank you Bruce for your persistence and optimism. Without them, I think I would have given up.” JT (£426,500 recovered)
Fibromyalgia diet
Some experts favour diet as a tool to help control the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Common recommendations include loading up on vitamin D-rich foods such as oily fish, milk, and breakfast cereals such as oatmeal and mushrooms.
Others recommend Omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts and fatty fish such as salmon. Many fruits and vegetables are rich in important antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E, which fight free radicals to keep the body healthy and balanced. Some studies suggest that a vegetarian or vegan diet can improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia, but the theory remains unproven.
However, substances to avoid include food additives such as monosodium glutamate and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame which is thought can actually increase sensitivity to pain. Also, limit or avoid caffeine, given that lack of refreshing sleep is a common feature of fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia compensation case studies
For nearly twenty years, we have been helping people with fibromyalgia and other forms of chronic pain. See our fibromyalgia compensation case studies.