Pop icon Lady Gaga recently brought fibromyalgia into the spotlight after she cancelled the last 10 dates of her world tour due to the severe pain it causes her.

A long-term condition that causes pain across the body, the Netflix documentary Five Foot Two had previously explored her struggle with extreme pain and fatigue.

The Million Reasons singer was advised by her medical team to cancel the European part of her tour promoting her platinum-selling album Joanne, including her scheduled show in Manchester on February 6.

Jag Cunliffe, 35, from Stalybridge, was diagnosed with the same debilitating chronic pain condition as Lady Gaga after she was involved in a serious car accident in 2012.

Jag, who was due to attend the concert in Manchester, has had her life dramatically changed by the condition .

Before her diagnosis Jag took part in runs and completed the Flora London Marathon in 2006. And until 2016 she worked as an online analyst for JD Sports, BT and Thomas Cook, a role she felt unable to continue because of memory delay referred to as ‘fibro fog’ brought on by her condition, a long-term debilitating condition for which there is currently no cure.

(Image: Eddie Garvey)

Symptoms include hypersensitivity, depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, joint pain and memory delay. Arthritis Research UK suggests that as many as one person in every 25 may be affected by fibromyalgia.

In the grip of a fibromyalgia ‘flare’ - which causes excruciating pain, drains energy and can impact the mobility, Jag has been unable to walk and hasn't been able to dress herself or get in and out of the shower without help.

Whilst the Gaga publicity has helped to raise awareness of the condition, Jag is alarmed that while many have shown support for the pop star, she has also read hurtful comments criticising her for cancelling the tour - including some from fellow sufferers.

Seeing the reaction from fans, Jag was compelled to share an artwork she produced - called Pain That Drains All Energy From Oneself - on social media to show support for Lady Gaga and also but also to help educate people about the condition.

She said: “The illustration was to help demonstrate how it can feel when a fibromyalgia sufferer encounters a severe ‘flare’.

“Although many have showed support towards Lady Gaga, there have also been hurtful comments. Music is her passion and, I imagine, what gets her up in the morning. But it can be so painful and so difficult that some mornings, you just can't."

Jag's rehabilitation programme involves physiotherapy, CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), gentle exercise such as walking and yoga and the concept of ‘pacing’ - which encourages the fibromyalgia sufferer to spread out their activities at home, work and socially to prevent added stress.

After her diagnosis, Jag joined the Tameside Fibro & CFS/ME Support Group, which meets to share knowledge and experiences.

Jag now works for her husband’s company as his personal assistant and has rediscovered her love of arts and crafts. She even received a letter of thanks from pop superstar Beyonce for a framed baby name she made for her daughter Blue Ivy.

Her hobby has helped her mental health - which has also suffered alongside the physical difficulties.

“To help deal with the depression that stems from having fibromyalgia, I focus my mindset to look for the positives in what I am able to achieve - no matter how small - as opposed to what I can’t,” she said.

“Following my diagnosis I began to explore my creativity and learnt how to make unique gifts which I find therapeutic."

Explaining how the condition affects her from day to day, Jag explained: "For me personally it affects most of my back region.

"It has unfortunately impacted on my working capabilities because of the symptoms I experience.

"It has also affected diet in terms of foods that I should avoid because it can cause more inflammation.

"When I experience a fibromyalgia flare what can happen is that it's not enabled me to walk.

"I've not been able to dress myself, I've had to have help from husband and assistance getting and out of the shower."

Currently Jag is working on setting up a website which she will use to share her journey of having fibromyalgia and her passion for making gifts. If you would like to be updated on the launch of her website. You can follow Jag on twitter @jagcunliffe or her Facebook page Jag Kaur Cunliffe.

"Lady Gaga is passionate about her music and about her fans and it must have been a very difficult decision for her to make to cancel these dates," she said.

"There needs to be more awareness and focus to bring this condition to light."