There’s a lot of debate between doctors, physical therapists and other experts as to whether there’s a link between a traumatic event, such as a car accident, and developing fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia syndrome mainly affects your muscles and joints, causing debilitating chronic pain. Depression is also a common symptom that goes along with it because of the long-term, high pain levels.
The Mayo Clinic describes fibromyalgia this way:
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
Although it may take weeks or even months following a car accident or other traumatic experience, many people who develop fibromyalgia can trace the symptoms back to that specific event. This type of fibromyalgia is often referred to as “post-traumatic fibromyalgia.”
What starts out as neck or back trauma as a result of a crash, eventually leads to chronic pain that spreads throughout the whole body, resulting in fibromyalgia syndrome. Dr. Mark Borigini, in an article for Health Central, describes how this condition can change a person’s lifestyle:
Many patients are previously healthy and functional individuals, who due to their chronic pain find it necessary to seek a modified work environment, or perhaps eventually find it necessary to leave the workforce. Obviously, such a major life change can lead to additional emotional and psychological pain, not to mention financial hardship.
Fibromyalgia can be a costly diagnosis due to all of the medicine necessary to keep pain under control, medicine to help with possible depression, and the inability to work or work as many hours or at all.
If you’ve been a victim of a Colorado car accident that’s left you with fibromyalgia or chronic pain, contact The Babcock Law Firm. Mack Babcock is an experienced Denver accident and personal injury attorney who can help you get the compensation you need.