Lady Gaga has finally opened up about suffering from fibromyalgia

'I wish to help raise awareness and connect people who have it,'

Words by Jadie Troy-Pryde

Lady Gaga has transitioned from pop singer to TV actress pretty seamlessly, swapping dancefloor anthems like Poker Face for the gruesome gore of American Horror Story.

More recently, Gaga has also been trying her hand at filmmaking and has had all of us eagerly awaiting her Netflix documentary, Five Foot Two. While we have to wait until September 22nd to watch it ourselves, Gaga has offered us teaser trailers to give us an idea of what we can expect. In these snippets, we see the star in and out of doctors appointments and suffering from a mystery chronic pain.

Back in 2013, in a since-deleted tweet, Gaga told fans that she had chronic pain but decided against divulging more details. It seems, however, that she is ready to open up to fans about it now, with the cause of her debilitating pain an illness called Fibromyalgia.

The NHS website describes Fibromyalgia as: 'a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it's thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) processes pain messages carried around the body.'

It also lists genetics as a possible cause, and can also be triggered by 'a physically or emotionally stressful event'. Gaga has spoken publically about her trials and tribulations over the last few years, losing her best friend to cancer, as well as ending her relationship with ex-fiancé, Taylor Kinney.

Gaga has alluded to her chronic pain over the years, but this is the first time she has spoken about the cause. While it must be incredibly difficult for her, it's also incredibly brave, and she wants to share her story for an important reason.

'I wish to help raise awareness and connect people who have it,' she told fans.

'[I] Thought ice helped... I was wrong & making it worse. Warm/Heat is better. Electric Heated Blanket, Infrared Sauna, Epsom Baths.'

If there's one thing Gaga is good at, it's bringing people together, and her honesty and openness will no doubt have a hugely positive effect on others who are living with the painful condition.