Lady Gaga recently announced on social media that she is living with fibromyalgia. With the confirmation of this diagnosis, various media sources are reporting about fibromyalgia and what the condition means for those affected by it. But what is most interesting, is what her diagnosis means for the fibromyalgia community? Is this the break we’ve been waiting for?

What @ladygaga #fibromyalgia diagnosis means for the #fibro community - with video. #FibroLive Click To Tweet

 

Lady Gaga’s Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

Lady Gaga’s fibromyalgia diagnosis was announced via Twitter on September 12, 2017, and will be highlighted in her documentary, Lady Gaga: Five Foot Two, releasing worldwide on September 22 on Netflix (scroll down for the trailer).

 

This diagnosis has been preceded with several tweets and photos from the star over the last year about her living with chronic pain and the affect it has had on her. Photos include treatments she’s using and how she’s dealing with the pain.

I was taken to the hospital its not simply hip pain or wear & tear from tour, I’m in severe pain. I’m in good hands w/ the very best doctors

— xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) September 14, 2017

 

I was so overwhelmed by the empathy, confessions & personal stories of chronic pain in response to my previous post I thought what the hell. Maybe I should just share some of my personal remedies I’ve acquired over the past five years. Everyone’s body and condition is different U should consult w ure Dr. but what the heck here we go! When my body goes into a spasm one thing I find really helps is infrared sauna. I’ve invested in one. They come in a large box form as well as a low coffin-like form and even some like electric blankets! You can also look around your community for a infrared sauna parlor or homeopathic center that has one. I combine this treatment with marley silver emergency blankets (seen in the photo) that trap in the heat and are very cheap, reusable and effective for detox as well as weight loss! In order to not overheat my system and cause more inflammation i follow this with either a VERY cold bath, ice bath (if u can stand it, it’s worth it) or the most environmentally savvy way is to keep many reusable cold packs in the freezer ( or frozen peas’ n carrots’!) and pack them around the body in all areas of pain. Hope this helps some of you, it helps me to keep doing my passion, job and the things I love even on days when I feel like I can’t get out of bed. Love you and thank you for all your positive messages.

A post shared by xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) on Nov 18, 2016 at 3:45pm PST

 

In under a week, the performer’s single tweet claiming the diagnosis has gotten over 27K likes and over 7K retweets. Media sources such as CBS, CNN, USA Today, and various other ones have reported the singer’s announcement bringing much needed exposure to the controversial condition. Fibromyalgia has been discussed more times in the last week than it has in the last year as Tami Stackelhouse, Fibromyalgia Coach pointed out in my recent interview with her regarding Lady Gaga’s tweet (scroll down for the interview).

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

— xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) September 12, 2017

 

What does this mean for the fibro community?

After her announcement, fans were encouraged by her disclosure inspiring many of them to do the same. Those not familiar with the illness were able to read about it as the story was being reported on various news sites around the world. This sparked many conversations about the condition leading many people to learn about fibromyalgia and the affects on those of us living with it.

As Lady Gaga has stated in one tweet, “I am praying that more and more people come forward and we can all share what helps/hurts so we can help each other.” This shows her willingness to help others living with this condition in an effort to heal the way we need to heal.

Brazil, I’m devastated that I’m not well enough to come to Rock In Rio. I would do anything 4 u but I have to take care of my body right now. I ask for your grace and understanding, and promise that I will come back and perform for you soon. I’m so sorry, and I love you so much.

A post shared by xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) on Sep 14, 2017 at 11:35am PDT

This is the chance for those leaders in the fibro community to collaborate an effective campaign in an effort to make a difference we so desperately need. Needs include funding for research to find effective treatments, if not a cure. Further medical education is needed for health professionals to properly treat fibro thrivers. Campaigns that require an action to be taken by those living with the condition and those not living with it in order to bridge that gap between fibro thrivers and their loved ones.

But the most important thing we need to do as a fibro community, as Tami Stackelhouse stated, is to welcome Lady Gaga into our circle and support her the way we want to be supported. The first way to do this is to believe her the way we want to be believed about fibromyalgia. Embrace her the way we want and need to be embraced.

 

Fibro Live

Each Friday on Facebook at Noon EST, I host a live video called Fibro Live to discuss the hottest topics in fibromyalgia news. On September 15, just thee days following Lady Gaga’s tweet, I asked several leaders in the fibro community to share their perspectives on this diagnosis. It was interesting to see the discussion and ideas that generated as the interviews developed in the show. To watch all episodes of Fibro Live, visit my YouTube channel.

 

Lady Gaga: Five Foot Two Trailer

 

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