Celebrities With Fibromyalgia: Lady Gaga

By Tabitha Steemson

This is the first in new series of posts here at UKFM focusing on famous celebrities and their struggles with Fibromyalgia. In recent years, many of the world’s biggest celebrities have come forwards to share their struggle with Fibromyalgia – raising the publicity of the disease. This is a wonderful thing for many reasons. For one, those who did not know of fibromyalgia prior to these figures speaking out can be educated on the condition, and how it affects those who suffer with it. We can also hope that it raises the awareness so greatly that the scientific and medical advancement of studies into the condition.

Lady Gaga announced she had Fibromyalgia in 2017, when she was forced to cut her European tour short due to the intense pain she was suffering. This was a pivotal moment for those within the fibromyalgia community – for all those saying the condition was not real, Lady Gaga’s tour cancellation was proof it was.

Although the research into what causes fibromyalgia is, unfortunately, very limited, Lady Gaga has revealed her own theories as to why she was diagnosed with the condition. She believes that one of the factors contributing to her fibromyalgia was a sexual assault trauma she suffered at the age of 19. This theory is backed up by scientific evidence: in 2018 The Turkish Journal of Medicine published a study which shows a considerable link behind traumatic events and the later development of fibromyalgia.

The singer also suffered a severe accident in 2013 0 breaking her hip on stage. She never fully recovered from this injury, stating that post her fall, her entire body, and mind, were in constant pain. In 2016 Lady Gaga performed at the celebrated ‘Super-bowl’ – the biggest annual American sporting event. In a documentary about her stardom, she is shown to be suffering with intense spasms in pain. In fact, many times before performing she is nursed with ice masks and tended to by massage therapists. Gaga herself admits that it is a huge luxury to be able to afford such constant and personalized care – wondering how others who do not have this privilege are able to continue their life in any normal way.

Throughout the documentary, Lady Gaga also receives a treatment known as trigger point injections – local anesthetic injected into the key trigger areas that cause the start of a flare-up. She is noted for documenting this treatment into order to dispel the myth that fibromyalgia is not real, or doesn’t cause great suffering. She is also incredibly vocal about the part mental health has to play – PTSD, anxiety and depression causing the nervous system to overact, and pain to follow.

The continued advocacy of Lady Gaga is a huge breakthrough for the Fibromyalgia condition. She is bringing new awareness to those who were not familiar to the condition, or were not aware of how debilitating it can be. For the community, she can provide inspiration for what can be achieved, despite struggling with Chronic pain.

Although some have critiqued her, as she is receiving treatments that many just cannot afford, it seems she herself is aware of this problem. The star’s advocacy extends beyond just documenting her own condition – she is also arguing that the treatment she receives should be accessible for all.

One of the reasons fibromyalgia faces stigma in society is that it is, just like endometriosis or MS, an invisible illness. Many suffer, but because they do not ‘look sick’, their pain is not taken seriously. Prior to her advocacy, no one would have assumed someone so glamorous and active as Lady Gaga would have a disability. The vocalization of her suffering has helped people to look beyond their original perception of someone – for those with fibromyalgia, although on a good day they may not appear as if anything is wrong, on the inside they can be suffering greatly.

Lady Gaga is only one of many major celebrities who have come forward to document her struggle. For those with fibromyalgia, Gaga’s description of her symptoms was nothing new – they have been living with the same for years. However, for those not in the know, it gave a huge new platform to the condition.

It is only our hope, within the Fibromyalgia community, that more who suffer come forward and share their stories. Providing new platforms creates change in all areas: lessening the social stigma attached to the condition, and increasing the pressure on doctors and scientists to do more research to find a cure.