After the trauma of a car crash, injured victims may sometimes develop secondary complications. Fibromyalgia, for instance, is quite common after a car crash. This condition causes victims to suffer widespread pain and inflammation, along with a host of other symptoms.
This article explains what fibromyalgia is, some treatments that may help and when your damages may be included as part of your overall injury claim.
Suffering from fibromyalgia and other car crash injuries but not sure if you have a case? At Anderson & Cummings, we help victims injured by the negligence of others.
Call our law offices 24/7 to discuss your situation in a free case review. We have staff available to take your call 24/7, so you can call us when it is convenient for you. Our experienced auto crash attorneys in Fort Worth are prepared to discuss your situation and answer your questions.
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What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a medical condition that causes widespread pain all over the body. People with fibromyalgia often feel pain in their muscles, ligaments and tendons – the soft tissues in the body. However, it is not just about pain; this condition can also make you feel very tired, have trouble sleeping, and experience changes in your mood like feeling anxious or depressed. Doctors are not sure what causes fibromyalgia. But the common belief is that it might have to do with how the brain and nerves communicate pain signals.
How Can a Car Crash Cause Fibromyalgia?
A car crash is a traumatic event for your body and mind. Even if you do not break any bones, the shock and stress of a crash can be enough to trigger fibromyalgia in some people. This is because the intense physical and emotional stress from a crash can change how your body handles pain. Sometimes, if you already have a higher risk of getting fibromyalgia, a car crash can be the thing that brings on the symptoms.
What Are Some Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
If you were recently in a car crash and are experiencing widespread pain that does not get better, you may be suffering from fibromyalgia. Other symptoms may include:
- Widespread body aches and persistent stiffness
- Persistent exhaustion and fatigue
- Feeling sad, depressed or anxious
- Having trouble sleeping or feeling rested after sleeping
- Experiencing cognitive issues, such as trouble focusing, mental clarity, memory and “fibro fog”
- Atypical and frequent headaches, including severe migraines
- Feeling tingling, prickling or numbness in the extremities, particularly the hands and feet
- Facial or jaw pain, including complications related to the jaw joints, such as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)
- Chronic gastrointestinal discomfort, including frequent stomach pain, bloating, constipation, and conditions related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
If you notice these symptoms, especially after a crash, it is important to talk to a doctor right away. They can run some tests and examine you to rule out fibromyalgia or determine if you are suffering from something else.
How Can I Prove My Car Crash Caused Fibromyalgia?
Proving that your car crash caused fibromyalgia can be tricky, but not impossible. You will, however, need to show a direct link between the crash and your symptoms. Start by getting a thorough medical examination right after the crash. Keep records of all your doctor visits, treatments and how your symptoms affect your daily life. This can help show that your fibromyalgia started after the crash. Sometimes, doctors can also testify in court about how your car crash could have caused your condition.
Can Fibromyalgia Be Cured?
Right now, there is no cure for fibromyalgia. But there are medical treatments that help people to manage their symptoms so they can still enjoy life.
Treatment for fibromyalgia typically involves a multi-faceted approach that may include:
- Physical therapy and other low-impact exercises: These exercises can help you increase your flexibility, strength and stamina, while also helping with pain.
- Emotional counseling: Talking about your condition with a trained counselor can help you to better understand your condition, including how to manage the physical and emotional aspects.
- Occupational therapy: This therapy is vital to helping crash victims with fibromyalgia learn how to manage their condition at work. For instance, adjusting your work area to accommodate your condition or looking at different ways to do your work to help avoid triggering pain symptoms.
- Medication for pain management: Sometimes, over-the-counter drugs, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen and naproxen sodium can help people manage their fibromyalgia symptoms. Stronger medications, such as narcotics, are not used because of the risk of developing dependency on the drugs. Narcotics also have other serious side effects and can actually cause pain symptoms to worsen in the long run. Some crash victims with fibromyalgia may benefit from antidepressants, which may help to reduce the pain and fatigue associated with the condition. Anti-seizure medications are sometimes used to reduce pain and fibromyalgia symptoms.
Living with fibromyalgia after a car crash can cause victims to feel depressed and chronically tired. This is why you want to be sure to continue your medical treatment and recommended exercise. If your fibromyalgia was the result of a crash caused by another party, it is also crucial that you seek legal support.
At Anderson & Cummings, we have the staff and resources to fully investigate your situation and guide you throughout the legal process so you can focus on your physical well-being and recovery.
Call Our Firm To Discuss Your Legal Situation After a Car Crash
If your crash was caused by a negligent driver who was distracted, speeding or driving recklessly, you may have a valid claim for the damages he or she caused you to suffer. Your medical costs and other losses, including treatment for your fibromyalgia, may be included as part of your overall claim and could significantly aid you in your recovery process.
Our attorneys in Fort Worth have been helping injury victims in Texas for decades. If you choose our firm to represent you, there are no upfront fees to pay for our services, and your initial case review is free. We have secured over $100 million on behalf of our clients.
Zero Upfront Costs. Call: (817) 920-9000 today.