Lady Gaga Confirms She Has Fibromyalgia
Lady Gaga has been open about her struggle with chronic pain, though she hasn’t always been clear about the exact causes of her pain. But today, she finally revealed her diagnosis: fibromyalgia.
- What is Fibromyalgia?
- What Are Common Fibromyalgia Symptoms?
Gaga posted a tweet confirming that fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue and brain fog, is the source of her chronic pain. Her struggle with the condition will be shown in her new Netflix documentary “Gaga: Five Foot Two,” which begins streaming on September 22.
“I wish to help raise awareness & connect people who have it,” Gaga wrote.
In our documentary the #chronicillness #chronicpain I deal w/ is #Fibromyalgia I wish to help raise awareness & connect people who have it.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 12, 2017
I am praying that more and more people come forward and we can all share what helps/hurts so we can help each other
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 12, 2017
Others with fibromyalgia expressed their reactions on Twitter, with many thanking Gaga for opening up a conversation and others asking how she deals with the pain while still remaining physically active.
Nobody truly understands the pain that others are dealing with unless they suffer themselves! I am happy to hear new ideas to help us heal!
— xoxo, Wright (@GagaLoverNE) September 12, 2017
I have #Lupus and #Fibromyalgia for 10 years. Thanks for speaking out. Much love to you #ChronicPain
— Allison Wilson (@ladybug245) September 12, 2017
@ladygaga my mom has fibromyalgia, for the longest time she didn’t know what to do, she couldn’t work or get out of bed; you inspire her.
— Josh ???????????????? (@Josh_Pasquale) September 12, 2017
How are you able to have the stamina to do what you do? I have Fibromyalgia also. There is noway I could handle . Tell me what helps you?
— Elise (@lise312002) September 12, 2017
Previously, Gaga has said she tested “borderline positive” for lupus and that she dealt with chronic pain after breaking her hip.
At a press conference before the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last week, Gaga explained that it was “hard, but liberating” to document her chronic pain, and said she believes pain is a “microphone.”
“My pain does me no good unless I transform it into something that is. So I hope people watching it who do struggle with chronic pain know that they’re not alone. It’s freeing for me… and I want people that struggle with it to hear me,” Gaga said.
She also acknowledged the “self-deprecation and shame” involved with pain, and that people may not believe she is really struggling.
“I want people that watch it — that think there’s no way I live [with chronic pain] because they see me dance and sing and don’t think that could possibly be — to know I struggle with things like them,” Gaga said. I work through it and it can be done. We have to stick together. I don’t have to hide it because I’m afraid it’s weak. It’s a part of me.”
Image via Creative Commons/Ungry Young Man
Erin is the former senior editor and chronic illness editor of The Mighty. She joined The Mighty in 2015 and previously worked at Inside Weddings magazine, Mic, and The Huffington Post. She was also the features editor at The California Aggie, UC Davis' student newspaper. She is honored to be a part of the Mighty community!
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