The question of disability seems to be a grey area. On some forms I fill it asked 'do you consider yourself to have a disability'? my answer is 'yes'. However, if in a given situation you need to show proof there is none.
Any thoughts on this? Thank you.
I think it depends on how severely you're affected by it, and also what other conditions you have running along side it . Most people with Fibro it seems have multiple other conditions.
I would say it is disabling for me as it stops me doing lots of things I used to be able to do . I can't open jars, walk up stairs ( or walk distances ), peel vegetables etc so to me it is a disability and the fact I can no longer do those things is proof.
Hugs
xx
Hello Reflections, gentle hugs.
It IS classed as a disability - though how much so depends on what you are able or not to do. As long as you've had a diagnosis made by a Rheumatologist - (not your GP) - and you are able to show how little walking and carrying of heavy things you can do - you should be okay sorting your claim forms out. As with what Helen says above as well, is all proof.
Carol xx
Hi
I have ME/CFS. I was initially dignosed by my GP who then referred me to GPWSI. (GP with special interest) She is from my local ME/CFS service. A very long appointment with her backed up with the reams of questionaires i had to fill in beforehand comfirmed that i have ME/CFS.She wrote a report and sent it to my GP and sent me a copy. It made a bit scary reading but at least i now knew what was going on!! I have to see an OT from the service about every 6wks.The OT has told me that yes it IS classed as a disability, and when I am form filling I now always reply that I am disabled. I do not claim benefits although i am putting in a claim for DLA.(Wasting my time probably but as i will soon have to give up work as I am struggling to cope, its worth an ask) I have applied for and been granted a Blue badge. I know that it is definately a disability from my own perspective when I consider my life before ME and now. If you don't have a peice of paper with proof of your condition on it ask about a referral to the ME/CFS service in your area. The website Action for ME can put you in touch with support groups in your area and give advice. Hope this is of use to you.
Hi Reflections.
I believe the definition of a disability is 'a condition which is long term and affects your ability to carry out day to day normal living'.
Only you will know if your Fibro is too mild to conform to that definition and I don't know of anyone whose is. 
To provide evidence of this, my favourite evidence is
'Simple beans on toast for lunch?'.
If I am able, it causes me severe discomfort in my hips and legs to walk to and around the kitchen.
If I am able, it causes me severe discomfort in my hips, arms and wrists to bend down to the cupboard and get a saucepan out, then and carry it to a work surface.
If I am able, it causes me severe discomfort in my shoulders, arms and wrists to reach up into the cupboard and get a can of beans out.
If I am able, it causes me severe discomfort in my arm, wrist and fingers to pull the drawer open to get my can opener and spoon out.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers to try and open the can, most days I can't.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my arms, wrists and fingers to pour the beans into the pan, put the pan on the hob and switch it on.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my back, hips, legs, arms, wrists and fingers to stand over the beans and stir them whilst they heat.
By this time I am in constant pain throughout my body.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my arms, wrists and fingers to pull the fridge door open to get the bread and butter.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my shoulders arms, wrists and fingers to reach up into the cupboard and get a plate out.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my arms, wrists and fingers to operate the toaster then put the toast on the plate.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my arms, wrists and fingers to butter the toast.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my shoulder arms, wrists and fingers to pour the beans on to the toast.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my arms, wrists and fingers to pull the drawer open to get my cutlery out.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my back, hips, legs, arms, wrists and fingers to carry the plate and cutlery to the table.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my back, hips, legs, to sit in a straight backed chair at the table as a healthy person would normally be able to.
By now, not only am I in constant pain but my body feels quite exhausted.
If I am able, it causes me severe pain in my arms, wrists and fingers to cut the toast and pick the food up with the fork to put it in my mouth.
To be honest I'd rather go hungry!
Do I have a disability? Oh yes! and if you go through any similar scenario that affects you in that way, I don't think you'll find many people who would try to say you're not,
Sorry it was so long but it really makes the point to break any activity down like that.
happy hugs, kate
Thank you Kate for your time in writing this reply. It really does make the point to break down activity like this. I am sorry that you are in so much pain and have such difficulty.
My condition definately affects my ability to carry normal day to day activities. However, what does a person show in writing to say I have this - I am in pain - this is invisible and I am disabled (though not on DLA or have a blue badge). Years ago in Social Services people could appy to be registered disabled but I don't think they don't do that anymore.
I did fail a medical over 4 years ago & then appealed & won my case on a point of law.. Which was this >
The appellant should be treated as incapable of under Regulation 27 of the social security (Incapacity for Work) (General) Regulation 1995.
If this can help somebody else out that's great.
Hi Reflections,
I've just done a quick web search and found that
'Every local authority has a legal duty to maintain a register of people who have a "substantial and permanent" disability. This register is maintained by Social Services.
The purpose of this register is to ensure that local authorities know who in their area might benefit from services which are there to promote the welfare of disabled people. It can also help Social Services to plan ahead by providing estimates of the numbers of disabled people locally and what impairments they have.'
I hope that helps
happy hugs
I'm registered disabled with my local county council, but some others have dropped it now - according to what I have read on other forums.
Sometimes you have to make sure what you are reading on the internet, it might be out-of -date.
And even I am only registered because I asked to be (I had a home assessment first). Every year they write to me and ask if I want to remain on the register, so it sounds like a voluntary thing around here.
It is classed as disability
Hi became very ill before christmas last year. I later found out that i had been suffering from the virtigo virus. I was in a really bad was palpiations, migraines, shaking in lots of pain and had a complete lack of energy. A friend of mine who has mad ME for 27 years said i was pushing myself too hard and would end up with Me after all he should know what he was talking about. I finally went to see my doctor but just before i went i had to iron a jumper it took me ages to do i could only just lift the iron and was completely exhausted. My doctor gave me anti depressants and sent me away. i took them for a month and started to feel a bit better. I am better than i was but still suffer with a lot of pain in my arms and legs an suffer for complete lack of energy most of the time. I am in pain just typing this should i go back to my doctor. I am not sure he believes that Me actually exists.
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