I am pretty sure it is progressive.. but I don't think it is for everyone, or if it is it might progress at different rates! Mine has progressed, stopped progressing, but changed! It is a very strange thing to deal with, and honestly, so similar to multiple sclerosis it's scary.
My fibro has definitely progressed rapidly since 2011. Before that, it would come and go. Each time there seemed to be more residual symptoms.
My pain and fatigue has not let up for four years straight and has worsened since 2011. I believe a large contributor to that has been that I've been working at a desk job sitting for several decades.
Fibro seems to be different for everyone. I have had a lot of testing since 2011 to rule out other illnesses and I've had four surgeries since 2012. I'm very sensitive to a large list of medications and unable to tolerate the few fibro medicines that have been approved. I've also been diagnosed with a number of diseases that seem to accompany fibro for many of us.
We are all different and I'd say fibro is different for all of us. My doctor says I am one of the unlikely ones that has rapidly progressive fibro that will likely result in me being in a wheelchair.
I have a cane and a walker now and use a wheelchair at airports or anywhere extensive walking is needed. I've purchased a wheelchair, knowing that it is in my foreseeable future.
I wouldn't wish this disease on anyone. Prayers that yours does not progress as mine has.
Thank you for the input. I also see a neurologist, at first he thought I had parkinsons. He also told me if it came to the brain he didn't have to give me an answer. I really think I pressured him into an answer. So yes he has diagnosed me but is it because I pressured him. I went to 12 different doctors last year. I think I just got passed around because nobody had an an answer.
Funny you asked.. I see my neurologist to treats my fibro since I also have multiple sclerosis also. He wants to keep an eye on both at the same time. I was just in there for my check up, and I was in tears, nothing seems to be working, helping! Every question he asked just made me cry because I am at my wits end with this freaking disease I am sick of being sick. 10 years with MS , 2 years with fibro , just tired of the shit! This summer in Northern Illinois has not been easy.
Of course he asked if I felt depressed my response was no not really , just fed up, sad, pissed, everything bud depressed.
And I said oh btw doc. Y'all said fibro ain't progressive n stuff right ... you lied right... he smiled and kept typing.. so I can't say a yes or no, but I would say, some patients fibro such as mine with the cause that brought the fibro on is still on going with no sight of ending it can progress.
The article is on www. Chronicbodypain.net.