6 Stages of Fibromyalgia I have 3 Stage What is your Stage?
What are the stages of fibromyalgia?
The stages of fibromyalgia are not well defined, but the condition may affect a localized area of the body at first and later become widespread. In the later stages, the symptoms may worsen.
Despite this general progression, fibromyalgia may not advance in a straight line, as it tends to wax and wane, according to an older 2016 study Source.
The main symptoms include chronic (long-term) widespread pain, tiredness, and difficulty sleeping. Although doctors generally do not classify fibromyalgia in stages, they do assess the severity of symptoms when making a diagnosis.
About 4 millionTrusted adults in the United States have fibromyalgia.
The main symptoms include chronic (long-term) widespread pain, tiredness, and difficulty sleeping. Although doctors generally do not classify fibromyalgia in stages, they do assess the severity of symptoms when making a diagnosis.
About 4 million Trusted adults in the United States have fibromyalgia.
This article discusses the stages of fibromyalgia, including how doctors diagnose and treat them. It also answers commonly asked questions.
An older 2016 study classified fibromyalgia into four stages. However, health oversight agencies, such as the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have not adopted them.
The proposed stages depict how fibromyalgia may initially manifest in a localized area and then later affect many parts of the body. In the later stages, the symptoms can worsen, although research Trusted indicates the condition may wax and wane.
The study’s classification system is as follows:
- Stage 1, which is regional with classic symptoms
- Stage 2, which is generalized with increasing widespread pain and some additional symptoms
- Stage 3, which is advanced with increasing widespread pain, chemical sensitivity, and increasing sleep disturbances
- Stage 4, which is secondary in response to an underlying health condition
Fibromyalgia manifests the following main Trusted symptoms:
- long lasting, widespread pain that people often describe as burning, aching, or throbbing
- pain that frequently affects the legs, arms, chest, head, back, abdomen, and buttocks
- trouble sleeping
- overwhelming tiredness
Other symptoms may involve:
- tingling or numbness in legs and arms
- muscle and joint stiffness
- difficulty with memory, concentration, and clear thinking
- tenderness to touch
- constipation
- bloating
- higher sensitivity to noise, light, temperature, and odors
Learn more about fibromyalgia flare-ups.
A medical history and physical examination are the tools that provide the basis of a fibromyalgia diagnosis. Lab tests and imaging help rule out other conditions.
Doctors do not diagnose fibromyalgia in stages. However, they use assessments to gauge whether symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe.
One such assessment uses the Widespread Pain Index, which rates pain in various body locations from 0 to 19 Trusted.
The other assessment is the Symptom Severity Scale, which rates the following characteristics from 0 to 3:
- tiredness
- sleep disturbances
- thinking difficulties
- general body symptoms
The final score is a summation of scores in these four categories, ranging from 0 to 12.
What Are The 7 Stages of Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia does not occur immediately. Chronic inflammation (for months and years) results in fibromyalgia. However, the following are the stages of fibromyalgia when symptoms start to appear:
Stage One: Initial Symptoms
The onset of initial symptoms characterises the first stage of fibromyalgia. These symptoms can include widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Patients may also experience headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and cognitive difficulties.
Stage Two: Developing Symptoms
During the second stage of fibromyalgia, symptoms begin to intensify. Patients may experience increased pain, fatigue, and additional symptoms such as joint stiffness and cognitive dysfunction. Sleep disturbances may also become more severe.
Stage Three: Chronic Widespread Pain
The third stage of fibromyalgia is marked by chronic, widespread pain. Patients may experience pain in all four quadrants of the body and other localised areas. Fatigue, itching, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties may accompany this pain.
Stage Four: Limited Functionality
As fibromyalgia progresses to stage four, patients may experience limited functionality. They may have difficulty performing everyday tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, and caring for themselves. Fatigue and pain can be debilitating, making working or participating in social activities strenuous.
Stage Five: Mitigating Factors
During stage five, patients may identify mitigating factors that exacerbate their symptoms. These may include stress, certain foods, or environmental factors. Identifying and avoiding these triggers can help patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Stage Six: Severe Symptoms
In the sixth stage of fibromyalgia, symptoms become severe and may be accompanied by depression and anxiety. Patients may require more aggressive treatment to manage their pain and other symptoms.
Stage Seven: Disability
The final stage of fibromyalgia is marked by disability. Patients may be unable to work or perform everyday tasks, and their quality of life may be severely impacted.
10 Root Causes of Fibromyalgia:
From an ANF treatment perspective, the following are 10 root causes of fibromyalgia:
- Emotional stress
- Physical stress
- Chronic inflammation in nerve pathways
- High levels of cortisol in the body
- Unhealthy lifestyle
- Low levels of antioxidants (glutathione and carnosine)
- Lack of body resources to heal
- Genetic factors
- Environmental factors
- Dehydration
What are the signs and symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain. However, it manifests as a set of signs and symptoms that include the following:
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Fibro fog (cognitive difficulties, problems in concentration, thinking, and focusing)
- Stiffness of the body muscles
- Depression
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Numbness and tingling in peripheral body parts
- Face and jaw pain
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Sensitivity to light, heat, and cold
Living with fibromyalgia can be immensely challenging, as the condition encompasses more than just physical pain. Patients often report a significant toll on their emotional and mental health, with symptoms like anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders further complicating their condition. The unpredictable nature of symptom flare-ups and the invisibility of their suffering can also lead to social isolation and difficulties in obtaining understanding and support from those around them.
Unlike other diseases with clear pathological markers, fibromyalgia is diagnosed primarily through clinical evaluation, relying on patient-reported symptoms and a physical examination.
Pathophysiology of Fibromyalgia:
The pathophysiology of fibromyalgia is complex and not fully understood, but from ANF Therapy®️‘s perspective, fibromyalgia has a multifactorial origin that includes genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors.
Dr. Mikel H.G Hoff (Founder of ANF Therapy®️) explains that fibromyalgia occurs due to inflammation in nerve pathways. Chronic invisible inflammation in nerve pathways results in the death of neurons and breaks down adjacent muscles. This way, inflammation spreads all over the body across nerve pathways, causing widespread musculoskeletal pain and neuritis in the body.
Dr. Mikel states that fibromyalgia can occur due to consistent intake of cortisol, low levels of antioxidants (especially glutathione and carnosine), physical and emotional stress, and lack of body resources to relieve inflammation and initiate the healing process. As a result, chronic invisible inflammation slows down neurological oscillations and weakens neurological frequencies.
Central sensitisation is considered a cornerstone in fibromyalgia’s pathogenesis, where the central nervous system undergoes a process that leads to an amplified response to pain and sensory inputs. This heightened sensitivity is believed to result from imbalances in neurological frequencies, neurotransmitters, and hormones that regulate pain, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, contributing to chronic pain and fatigue.
