Lady Gaga’s struggles spotlight fibromyalgia

The one thing that can really irritate Lady Gaga is people not believing that her pain from fibromyalgia is real.

“People need to be more compassionate,” she told Vogue in an interview.

With a hit movie and soundtrack for “A Star Is Born” and the recent premiere of a two-year Las Vegas show, “Enigma,” it’s hard to imagine that less than 18 months ago, Lady Gaga stepped away from a world tour to concentrate on her recovery from the chronic-pain disorder.

The music star opened up about her condition in September 2017, just before the release of her documentary “Gaga: Five Foot Two.”

“In our documentary the #chronicillness #chronicpain I deal w/ is #Fibromyalgia I wish to help raise awareness & connect people who have it,” she tweeted to fans.

The star attributes her illness to both physical and emotional issues, including posttraumatic stress from a sexual assault at age 19 and a broken hip in 2013.

Fibromyalgia has existed for centuries, according to the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, but has often been misunderstood by both patients and medical-care workers.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic-pain conditions, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association. About 10 million people in the United States and an estimated 3 to 6 percent of the world’s population suffer from the condition. It can affect any age or race, and a large majority of those with fibromyalgia are women, Medpagetoday reported.

The disease is considered a rheumatic condition that, like arthritis, can impair the joints and/or soft tissues; it also causes chronic pain and fatigue. But unlike arthritis, it does not cause damage or lead to inflammation.

What are the symptoms?

Most fibromyalgia patients report pain and fatigue as the primary symptoms. Others include: • Concentration or memory problems, often called the “fibro fog.” • Sleep disturbances. • Morning stiffness and impaired coordination.

• Headaches or migraines.

• Irritable bowel or bladder symptoms; painful menstrual periods.

• Sensitivity to temperatures, loud noises or bright lights.

• Numbness or tingling of extremities, restless-leg syndrome, Raynaud’s disease. • Anxiety, depression. • Skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes and mouth.

What causes the disease?

There is no single known cause, although there might be a genetic component.

Researchers think that fibromyalgia might stem from an injury, emotional distress or viruses that change the way the brain perceives pain.

Those with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and spinal arthritis might be more likely to have the condition, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

What treatments are there?

A multi-specialty approach — including exercise, massage, movement therapies such as Pilates, chiropractic treatments, dietary changes and acupuncture — might be needed to treat the condition,

Three medications — duloxetine (Cymbalta), milnacipran (Savella), and pregabalin (Lyrica) — are approved by the FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

To treat her fibromyalgia, Lady Gaga has used warm heat, an electric blanket, infrared sauna and Epsom baths.

“It’s getting better every day,” she told Vogue. “Because now I have fantastic doctors who take care of me and are getting me show-ready.”