@ppeschke, I'm not sure I understand your question. Interstitial lung disease is a general category that includes many different lung conditions. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis is an interstitial lung disease that's often present with autoimmune conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma). Are you asking whether nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis has stages like pulmonary fibrosis?

I have been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease & unspecified interstitial pneumonitis possibly caused by arthritis is 20 years of bad fibromyalgia.
I guess what I'm asking is that in the last 4 minths my health has really declined and my life changing. I wonder are there stages to these diseases?

I'm just with you & wonder the same thing if there are stages in this disease...Do they (at Mayo) somehow define what stage one is in?. Good Luck & this I know for sure ...sometimes when one is boxed into stages or questions like "What happens next? we set ourselves up for disappointment, hurt & anger. I think it's good to listen & kinda know what is usually next & yet keep a healthy distance from "stages" & of course this is my opinion & how I feel....only. Ciao...Snookie