Ear plugs!!! I even have a pair in my purse. I avoid loud places but if I have to be there and can't use my earplugs for whatever reason then I take something for anxiety it helps.

I honestly have stopped going to places that are too noisy, which also causes me anxiety. It sucks, but I've come to value my sanity and health over external noise and commotion. I actually have left stores that play music because, to me, it's too loud and distracting. I even get to control the remote control at home because my husband and I were both sick of me saying it's too loud, now it's too soft... So I have it to raise and lower the volume according to what's happening on the TV. The singing shows make my cringe, to me it's all just screaming and way too loud. You look very young though, so sweetie, I'd suggest ear plugs. I believe they come in skin tones and it might drown out the loudest and most irritating to you, so that you can focus on what's right in front of you or of interest to you. If you can handle that, I suggest you go and do as much as you can while you are able to. That goes for everyone, with fibro or not. If your health declines, so does your ability to live. So do as much living as you can now. (I wanted to type this in caps so it would have seemed to be too loud for you/us, but I don't know you well enough to be the smart ass that I am.) Wishing you all the best!!!

After an actual diagnosis, I realized I've had this fibro crap for years. Started with sensitivity to sound, light and smell. Next came cognitive issues in my early 30's, sensitivity to noise, headaches for over 10 yrs. and then about a year and a half ago dizziness, imbalance, unsteady gait, topping it off with extremity numbness and tingling and varying degrees of aches and pains widely spread throughout my body. This occurred over a period of 15+ yrs. So from my personal experience, I say yes it does worsen over time. I can't wait to see what's next! Don't know how much more of me could be affected...Best of luck and hang in there you are definitely not alone! Take care.

If it is just fibro you have, I would say no. You can probably get better if you are very disciplined with keeping stress under control (psychotherapy, mindfull meditation, etc), keep a positive attitude, good nutrition ( this is a big one), taking the right supplements for you and figure out ways to get good quality sleep. Now if you have other conditions as well is a different story.

For me it gets much worse over time. I've had Fibro nearly all my life and it's gotten so much worse. As for long term damage, I'm not really sure.