They say it doesn't get worse but I think it does. I know stress and trauma has made mine worse. I had to flip my life around because my pain got worse. Removed all stress within my control and became more careful to prevent any further trauma to my body, like holding on to railing when going down stairs to prevent falling again. Life trauma happens, like a death, and can't be prevented but how I handle it changes how my body reacts to it.
Exercise is the worse and unless you suffer with fibromyalgia you don't know how much it actually hurts to do it. I laugh every time I hear someone tell me it will help and explain why I know it won't.

I liked everyone's posts. We are all on the same road of trying to get some quality of life out of this life by managing our pain. I'm 32 and have lost my career, money is minimal now, I have credit cards in collections and have to surrender my car to keep my house. Thank goodness my mortgage payments are small so I can afford to keep a roof over my kids head. Ido my best and tthat's alright because it all I can do. Making tough decision is a must and I know now that cash is better to buy everything. Something I will teach my children. I will also teach my children how to live stress free to help prevent fibromyalgia creaping up in their life. I have an extreme case and not only do I suffer in pain but I am hypersensitive to it as well. My point is that fibro not only effects us physically but also financially, socially, and much more. I have tried almost everything and my next step is to get serious counseling in hopes by resolving a lot of mental and emotional trauma I can feel a little better. It may be getting worse for me but by training my brain on how I deal with it has helped me to keep going.

I think each person's case is different, I know from my own experience, Fibro flares up, and when it does, it can sideline you with the symptoms. It ebbs and flows like the ocean. Take Care.

I have studied my illness for the last 20 years, What works for some won't work for another. I have had physical therapy, shots, steroids, exercise, etc. Mine got worse over time and exercise just about kills me. Swimming is suppose to be the best think to do. I used to have insurance that covered a gym with a pool but no longer, so I don't get to do that anymore. The best thing for me is to get a nap, sometimes I get my rem sleep then and sleep as long as 3 hours. When I was working I had to stop going to church on Sunday nights so I could rest. You will get to know what you can do and can't do with time. I worked till I was 52 and had to file disability. My brain was fibro and couldn't finish a train of thought, which is okay sometimes but not in a manager meeting with your peers there. LOL Also, sometimes I don't remember how I got to work because of the drugs. My Mom used to tell me that my Daddy would say you'll feel better if you go outside for a walk, but after spending some time with her, she began to see how I suffered.

Progression and ChantelleMountain,
I don't want to be the one who shares bad news but they just found out that it does progress to get worse. I know it seems as if Exercise hurts but it only hurts until you work through it. 5 min., a day and increase each week. You will slowly see the difference as you get stronger. I know because I had to try something I was getting so Bad. 70 lbs. down now and feeling a lot stronger and more confidence and some less painful days. Good luck