Is this disease progressive?

hi findmybliss,
im glad you found us, this is a great site for support and advice.
my doctors don't really know much about fibro either, which is very frustrating. but going by what i have found out, some cases of fibro get better over time, some get worse and others stay the same, so its very hard to tell with different people.

All the tablets that you are taking now can only help, i hope you can cope with your symptoms.

Gentle hugz

Well, this is a tough question. I can do way less than I could when I was first afflicted with this nasty thing - but then, I don't push myself as much (I don't have to - no little kids anymore!) and I've got it under better control. And then, aging plays into everything, so I'd have to say I'm one who feels worse off. But my doctor tells me I'm still "really healthy - you just have a bunch of stuff that makes you miserable!"

Debbie

Hi, Findmybliss, and welcome!  Doctors say it's not progressive.  I've had it for 24 years and I'm a little worse.  But, I'm also 24 years older so age plays into it.  It is important to keep moving as much as possible.  There are some gentle stretching exercises on Fibro 101 that are done sitting down so you could do these at your desk.  Also, get up and walk around as much as you can get away with.  This will help you too.

 

Try to put yourself on a sleep schedule.  Go to bed and get up and the same time every day.  That helps you fall asleep and sleep does help with the pain.  I'm on a sleep schedule.  I usually fall asleep right away but I wake up several times a night.  But even so, I get enough sleep to get by.  Also, getting out of bed to run to the bathroom helps with the muscle pain, too.  I do a lot of stretching throughout the day and that helps keep my muscles more flexible.

 

I really hope the supplements help you.  They have helped me quite a bit.  They are a safe way to hopefully get some relief.  You just need to get control of the pain.  You won't be pain-free by any stretch of the imagination but you can still have a good life in spite of fibro.  Attitude plays a big part too.  Try to look at all your blessings and avoid tallying up the negative things.  You will be far happier that way, too.

 

I'm so glad you joined out family and I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Hope to hear more from  you soon.

 

Sherrine

Hi~~

And I'd also like to welcome you to our Fibro Family!

As you can see from the wonderful responses there seems to be several consistencies here. First, we all seem to get older no matter what we do...lol...and with that comes it's own aches and pains. But referring to fibro and it's prognosis is a different story. Here's a tidbit from the NIH on the 'medical prognosis' of fibro.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Fibromyalgia is a common and chronic problem. The symptoms sometimes improve. At other times, the symptoms may worsen and continue for months or years. The key is seeking professional help which includes a multi-faceted approach to the management and treatment of the disease. There is no proof that fibromyalgia syndrome results in an increased death rate.

So that's the prognosis but the facts are what you get from the people who live with it day to day. I agree that it won't shorten your life, but for me it is progressive. In about 6-8 years I went from working and doing most of what I wanted to not working and having limitations that I still find hard to accept.

I believe that the more you learn the more you'll find out that each person's fibro is just a bit different. But we still understand what each other is going through and have the compassion to help each other. That's why I'm here, anyway.

Keep in touch...
Chutz

Bliss,

It's so hard when doctors don't believe you! I've run into some doozies myself. I wouldn't put up with it anymore, but when I was young - ah, I don't want to think about it! Makes me too mad..

Debbie