Fobromyalgia - an accepted complaint?

Anyone know if being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and all its problems is in itself accepted for the applicant to be accepted for ESA or PIP please?
Obviously having this problem causes massive problems to most forms of functioning in everyday life. (Just wondered if this is accepted by the 'powers that be'?) Thank you.

I have fibromyalgia - long standing - but also another condition as well. I think it is important to have medical evidence from a Consultant, as well as a GP, if you can. I was originally diagnosed by a rheumatologist but was advised it is more the field of neurologists these days so I had an up to date consultation with neurologists. You need to choose your neurologist carefully and look at their specialisms. Most of them deal with very serious life threatening conditions a lot, so Fibromyalgia is a more minor thing (to them but not to us). Some are up on it, some are not. The one I saw said that Fibromyalgia, CFS, ME are all the same disorder (there are different views on that). He was happy to write me a letter confirming the diagnosis. It helps if you tell the Consultant as much as possible about how it affects you, what causes pain, how long it lasts and how incapacitated you are each time in terms of what you can and can't do. My arms are hurting just typing this!

A Consultant's letter can also give the more technical details about how it is a disorder of the pain neurons and transmitters - I think that is what mine said. Write a list of everything you would like him to comment on in a letter - eg whether or not you are likely to get better (I know it is depressing to hear that you are not likely to get better, but be pragmatic and be prepared for that). Some Consultants don't like it if you say you just want a letter for a benefits claim. I say I would like an up to date consultation and diagnosis and it would be helpful if they could confirm this in a letter to my GP as I may need evidence for a benefts claim.

Hi dani and a hi to all,


I too have Fibromyalgia, and I was placed in the SG, one of the reasons was due to the fact fibromyalgia is a cause of immense fatigue to myself. Whichhas a vdery severe impact on my doing daily task day and night, and even just doing a simple chore.


Not only this it also has an effect on mobility because with fatigue your mobility goes right down the pan.


Apart from the above i also have severe DDD both cervical and lumbar, which is always showing more degeneration every time i go for updated MRI's.


So basicly i was placed in the SG duer to chronic fatigue (fibromyalgia) and Degenerative disc disease in pretty much the entire Cervial spine and some regions in the lumbar. Which affects mobility.


I do think if you put up a good case with upto date evidence and a good GP letter, and maybe support from a pain specialist your chances of either getting into the WRAG or SG has a good chance.


Bear in mind it depends on how the assessor & DM views it.

I wish all claimants / subscribers on here and not on here the best of luck with your assessments. And on a final note please vote on 12th Dec 2019, do not waste your vote, we can all make a difference.

I am currently undergoing review of my standard rate PIP, which I have had since 2015. Prior to that point I had enhanced care in respect of bipolar/alcoholism. I have had 'possible MS' since 1999, but my GP has only a few weeks ago, very innocently (she is hopeless) reminded me that I did in fact receive a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia in 2005!! This has come to light at this time because I have over the past 2 years experienced balance and falls issues (I no longer drink - 4 years sober) and this has been investigated. Presently waiting for MRI brain and spine result/report as Consultant reports I have balance abnormality etc. Clearly I have notified the DWP about the Fibromyalgia. I have a home assessment hopefully coming up soon and will report back how I get on. Very fearful of being stripped of benefit and having to go to appeal which is going to be very stressful.