All questions about Fibromyalgia

Will it get worse? Will they get better?

Fibromyalgia is usually long-term, and symptoms go up and down. Treatment can ease them, though they are unlikely to disappear completely, and staying active is linked to a better outcome.

Fibromyalgia doesn't cause visible damage: the examination is usually normal. What changes over time is how much the symptoms affect daily life, and that varies with stress, sleep, activity and the weather.

Long-term studies are small, but one that followed people for four and a half years found that an adequate level of physical activity predicted a better outcome; how long someone had had symptoms did not. That fits the guidelines: staying active, sleeping as well as possible and treating low mood are the things most likely to help.

A realistic goal, says France's guideline, is less pain (about a third less is meaningful), better function and a better quality of life, not zero pain.

Sources

• NHS: Fibromyalgia, treatment
• Haute Autorité de Santé (France): Fibromyalgie de l'adulte, conduite diagnostique et stratégie thérapeutique. Recommendations based on expert agreement
• Fibromyalgia outcome: the predictive values of symptom duration, physical activity, disability pension, and critical life events, a 4.5-year prospective study (Journal of Psychosomatic Research)
• NHS: Fibromyalgia, symptoms
• Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis): Fibromyalgia

Reviewed 2026-11-07 · next review 2027-11-07