Celebrity magazines always show candid photos of stars to show ways that they’re just like us. Those photos usually show celebrities at the farmer’s market or taking their kids to the park. But sometimes celebs deal with the same health challenges that we do too, even if they tend to talk about it less often. Lady Gaga is not only a pop superstar and actress, but she also openly revealed that she struggles with fibromyalgia. Here’s a bit of background on Lady Gaga and her journey with fibromyalgia.

EARLY PHYSICAL TRAUMAS

Lady Gaga was already experiencing chronic pain for years before she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Born Stefani Germanotta, she was a hardworking pop star for more than a decade. She was known for her high-energy shows, which were filled with both singing and dancing.

But in her earlier years, Lady Gaga was a victim of many traumas, including emotional abuse and sexual assault. As a pop star and dancer, she ended up breaking a hip. Both physical and emotional traumas, such as the experiences of her youth, are often linked to the later development of fibromyalgia.

FIBROMYALGIA TAKES ITS TOLL

The toll of her high-energy performances added up. Lady Gaga broke her hip in 2013. After that, her fibromyalgia symptoms began to affect her more. The fact that she got worse after breaking a hip follows a common pattern for people with fibromyalgia. Even if a person recovers from the initial injury, later problems can develop. She developed chronic pain and had to start canceling shows. Celebrities have more resources than the average patient, but also have more demands on their time.