can symptoms get worse w/ time?

[Ruralchick]

I had to read 5 books about FM before I found one that said symptoms USUALLY do not get worse over time. Has anyone found this to be true/false?

 

[1sweed]

I would have to say it depends on how you manage your life and illnesses, and how bad your condition is right now. For me I was in really bad shape for many years and my life did not improve until I lowered by stress level and stopped multi-tasking, started relaxing more and saying no more when family heaped demands on me. But still with all the changes I have made it is still necessary to not hurry and to pace myself in doing my household chores. I know that if I try and go back to the way I ran my life before fibro, my bad flares will return. And I don't want to end up in bed for months on end to weak to move.

So I guess my answer is it is different for everyone, and books are not written in stone as far as the advice goes. Don't believe everything you read.

 

[Trellum]

In my personal experience... I say it's really hard to really tell and it really varies from person to person. I actually think my symptoms have gotten a bit worse, but it's hard to tell since i have bad weeks or entire set of months... sometimes it'd seem as if the pain was gone for good, but after a while comes back. One thing is for sure: I'm getting more headaches and migraines than ever and that's why I'll be going to see a neurologist soon (wish me luck guys, kinda nervous here!). So I really think it depends on how serious the condition is for the individual, the lifestyle, but most of all genetics...

 

[Ruralchick]

Thanks for the replies. I know I have a niggling fear of getting worse, as for so long now we have been peeling back the layers of so many things that need to be addressed. Today I found out I need a shoulder surgery but will have to wait for it till I have a second ankle surgery first. Does everything have to wear out at the same time? My dear husband is steady and solid but I often would like to move into my closet and make everyone leave me alone.

 

[Andrei]

Definitely. The older you get, the worse the symptoms get. And you can get other complications as well.

 

[mariposa]

Definitely. The older you get, the worse the symptoms get. And you can get other complications as well.

Well now, this is not a true statement for everyone... not by a long shot. And what "other complications" are you talking about? Fibro doesn't "turn into" something else. You need to back statements like that up with facts.

Just out of curiosity, were you posting here over the last few weeks under a different user name? You sound *so* much like the other user in your statements, and he was also from Romania. Just call me nosy.

 

[katydid]

Well now, this is not a true statement for everyone... not by a long shot. And what "other complications" are you talking about? Fibro doesn't "turn into" something else. You need to back statements like that up with facts.

Just out of curiosity, were you posting here over the last few weeks under a different user name? You sound *so* much like the other user in your statements, and he was also from Romania. Just call me nosy.

Haha you little detective you! Love it! I was wondering the same thing actually!

 

[terbaer]

Trellum....I'm so sorry you have headaches and migraines too. I wish you luck with the neurologist! Keep us posted! Until I had them myself, I had no idea how debilitating they are. Take care....

 

[Lana]

I was just at my speacialist a few days ago and I ask him that very question. Does fibro turn into another illness, He told me that Lupus and other autoimmune diseases can also get Fibromyalgia, but not the other way around. Thank goodness for that

 

[Charmed_one]

Mine have gotten tremendously worse over time and it is frightening.

 

[hansenlaw]

My friend is fairly young, but his symptoms haven't gotten worse. I just hope they don't. I mean right now it's manageable with all the support he has, but I'd hate to see it get worse.