Lady Gaga graces the October cover of Vogue, opening up in an interview about her career highlights, including her upcoming role in Joker: Folie à Deux, and her personal struggles, such as her ongoing battle with fibromyalgia. Gaga has been dealing with the condition for over a decade since fracturing her hip in 2012. In a recent chat with Vogue, Gaga mentions her pain-free experience during the 2022 Chromatica Tour, noting it was a drastic change from performing in constant discomfort. She also reveals a shift in her habits, mentioning she hasn’t smoked marijuana in years.
Fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread pain, has no cure, leading individuals to explore alternative treatments like cannabis for relief. The disorder, which also involves fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood issues, impacts the processing of pain signals in the brain and spinal cord. Risk factors for fibromyalgia include physical trauma, surgery, infections, or significant psychological stress. It affects 2 to 4 percent of the population, with women being more susceptible than men. Those with fibromyalgia are also prone to other conditions like tension headaches, TMJ disorders, IBS, depression, and anxiety.
Understanding Fibromyalgia Diagnosis
Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be challenging as it often requires ruling out other conditions and detailed symptom descriptions. New guidelines have eliminated the need for a tender point exam, focusing on a persistent dull ache in specific body regions for at least three months to confirm a diagnosis.
Managing Symptoms and Treatment
While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, symptom management strategies include gentle exercise, massage, acupuncture, talk therapy, medication, and stress relief techniques. While cannabis can offer short-term pain relief, its effectiveness in treating fibromyalgia pain lacks sufficient evidence.
Individuals typically combine various methods to manage their symptoms effectively, as seen in Gaga’s journey towards a pain-free experience.
