Fibromyalgia Podcast

Jara’s daughter, Lexi was just beginning seventh grade when she fell and ended up with a very mild concussion. It didn't seem like a big deal. Soon after, she was in constant pain and fatigue. It took months to diagnose the cause and even longer to figure out how to help Lexi spring back to life. The entire family is affected when a child has fibromyalgia, but there is hope. Jara shares the tools and resources she found most helpful, and the keys that helped her daughter feel like a normal teenager again. Key Points When you have a sick child, your entire world revolves around them and their illness and helping them get better. With multiple children, we have to learn to manage our energy, to step back and focus on each of them specifically, and to create time and attention for all of them. There is no magic bullet. The key to feeling better with fibromyalgia is really a bunch of little things that add up together, the tools that we figure out for our toolbox. There are options for families with kids that ne

"Don't be sorry for me. Fibromyalgia is the best thing that ever happened to me." This may seem like a radical statement, and I know most of you aren’t in this space yet, but even small gestures of gratitude can make a big difference. A growing body of research shows that people who practice gratitude are more optimistic and have greater satisfaction in their lives. They have been shown to make fewer visits to the doctor and have improved immune system responses. More than just a Thanksgiving observance, counting your blessings and giving thanks can make a difference all year long. Key Points A growing body of research shows that an attitude of gratitude benefits our physical body. Where you place your focus is where your life will flow. This is a basic law of the universe. This is part of the law of attraction. We also find it in the Bible. It’s hard to count our blessings when fibromyalgia feels like an endless taking away of things, but we do have a choice. The three general guidelines for developing a gr

Dr. Robin Pfaff was in the closet about her fibromyalgia, working part-time as a psychotherapist and part-time recovering from the toll that work took on her. A big move in January 2017 caused a severe fibromyalgia flare that put her on the couch for months. It was here that she found coaching and the keys to getting her life back. Robin is now paying it forward as a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach, helping other women take charge of their life and health. Key Points Fibromyalgia coaching is a unique treatment option: one part life coach, one part health educator, and one part wellness coaching. The difference between counseling and coaching, and how to know which one is right for you. Research has found that a huge group of folks that have experienced post traumatic stress move forward through that and experience what they call post traumatic growth. The BEST approach to living with fibromyalgia: B for Body (or physical health), E for Emotional and mental health, S for Social Support, and T for Transcendence (

The holidays can be super challenging, no matter who you are. Often we invest so much of our time and moxie into the holidays that the celebration begins to feel more like obligation. Add fibromyalgia to that picture, and it's even more tiring and stressful, because we have limited energy to begin with. There is a way to make the holidays meaningful without all of the overwhelm. Follow the tips in this episode and see how your holiday season can a little richer, a little calmer, and a little less painful and exhausting. Key Points With fibromyalgia, the biggest way that you can improve your holidays is to feel better. Is your family already over-stuffed? Here’s how you can honor the season and the spirit of giving without accumulating even more stuff. Think about setting new traditions or doing things a little differently. Stepping outside of our normal way of doing things can actually make it easier for us. Don't end up over-committed to things that are less important. Focus on what really matters to you, a

An objective test for fibromyalgia will change everything. As a researcher, Dr. Jarred Younger’s mission to figure out fibromyalgia has led him to study neuroinflammation as a primary suspect. “What I think is happening in fibro is an overly robust immune response, an abnormal reaction to low level, daily insults to the immune system.” Having seen so much suffering with no effective treatment options, Dr. Younger has become driven to solve the mystery of fibromyalgia by scientifically uncovering the root cause. Key Points Could fibromyalgia be the result of inflammation in the brain? Find out what cutting edge science is discovering. A new tool for scanning and imaging the brain may help us finally pinpoint the pathology of fibromyalgia. The discovery of low-dose naltrexone as a treatment option occurred as Dr. Younger was testing his hypothesis on inflammation in the brain. Correcting inflammation in the brain can begin with simple (albeit difficult!) dietary and lifestyle changes. The hardest thing about r

How do you lose weight when you have fibromyalgia? Before we can answer that question, we have to back up a step. Tami suggests that a lot of people start with the wrong question. They start with the question of, How do I lose weight? because that's what we care about. That's what we're worried about. But if we don't understand why we gained weight in the first place, then we might not be doing the right things to get the outcome that we want. Key Points As fibromyalgia patients, our bodies are often stuck in “fight or flight” mode. The pain and fatigue we experience can make weight loss extra challenging. Many fibromyalgia patients also have thyroid and adrenal issues which dramatically affects our efforts to lose weight. The fundamentals of diet and exercise are only part of the equation. Cravings are not necessarily your fault. Cravings can be a very natural way that your body says, “Help! I am starving for nutrients!” Just two nights of bad sleep can affect the hormones that regulate your appetite. Studi

The technology for pulsed electromagnetic field devices (PEMF) has been around for 60 years and used in healthcare systems around the world. Oska Wellness has revolutionized this technology by producing a miniaturized version for personal use, the Oska Pulse. Tami interviews the founder, Greg Houlgate, about the history, the mission, the research, and his own personal use of this new product. Does the Oska Pulse belong in your fibromyalgia toolkit? Key Points The Oska Pulse is an FDA-registered, Class 1 medical pain relief device. While the Oska Pulse is a fairly new product, the technology behind it has existed for six decades, and there have been over 10,000 clinical studies on it. The Oska Pulse is clinically proven to reduce inflammation, increase circulation, improve mobility, and relieve pain. Users of the Oska Pulse have reported it being effective for reducing headaches and improving sleep, in addition to relieving pain. It has even been useful for pets, helping with issues like hip dysplasia. Get $5

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is one of the active ingredients found in the cannabis plant. As a non-psychoactive component, CBD will not alter your brain or make you feel “high”. It does, however, affect your body. In this episode, we’ll talk about those effects specific to the fibromyalgia body. Should you talk to your doctor about using CBD? Dr. Ginevra Liptan will offer insight from a medical standpoint and provide resources to help further your own research.  Key Points Is there any difference between CBD, hemp, marijuana and cannabis? What is the difference between the effects of CBD and THC in your body?  I live in a state where marijuana is not legal, or I work at a job where I can't have THC in my system. What can I do? How can you make sure you are getting access to the right types of CBD for you? There is a huge amount of money being poured into researching both cannabis and cannabis-derived medications. I do encourage people to talk about it with their doctor, even though it's uncomfortable.

You can't take a vacation from fibromyalgia, which also means you can't take a vacation from doing all of the things necessary to manage your fibromyalgia. Healing is a full time job, and it takes a lot of work to keep feeling our best! Sometimes we hate making choices that feel like eating broccoli when we are really craving ice cream, and we give in, even when that lack of discipline leads to more pain, fog and fatigue. What can you do when your inner child wants to stomp her foot and say, "No! I don't want to!"?   Key Points Why can’t I do what I know I need to do? Do I just need more willpower? Why forcing yourself to do something never works in the long run. How creating simple habits can help you develop automatic muscle memory - and how to determine which simple habits are right for you. The one BIG THING many coaches are missing when it comes to motivation. Being unmotivated is totally okay and totally normal. Sometimes the answer isn’t white-knuckling action - it’s rest.   Links & Resources Fi

The Mayo Clinic reports 2-6% of school aged children in the U.S. have fibromyalgia. Conservatively, that means 14.8 million kids struggle with fibro fog, chronic pain and a host of other confusing and debilitating symptoms. Dr. Melissa Congdon joins us with the message that pediatric fibromyalgia is very treatable, meaning you and your child can enjoy their time as children. Learn how getting an early diagnosis makes a huge difference in helping your child succeed at school, in sports and beyond.   Key Points Does your child wake up crying or feeling fussy without illness or a known cause? Does your child come home from school some days exhausted, some days not? Homework: Does your child have trouble remembering what they have studied for a test? Sports: Does your child perform well on some days, but on others they have trouble keeping up? If your child has a first degree relative with fibromyalgia, they are 8-1/2 times more likely to develop this syndrome themselves. Might your child have fibromyalgia?   A

Are you struggling to keep up with the demands of your work due to your fibromyalgia? There is a big difference between not being able to do your job and needing a little help to accomplish certain tasks. In this episode, Julie Hamilton discusses how to ask for special accommodations at work, before things get so bad that you're faced with disciplinary action or even termination. Before you think about filing for disability, consider how small changes can make a big impact on your performance and job satisfaction.   Key Points What are special work accommodations? When to talk to your boss about special work accommodations, what you should say, and what you should NEVER say. Just because you ask for it, isn't a guarantee. HOW to have a conversation with your boss that will increase your ability to work together and accomplish your mutual goals. How you can avoid disciplinary action, a poor performance evaluation, or termination, even if your fibromyalgia flares are holding you back. You CAN keep your job, ad

Do you worry that your job could be in jeopardy due to your struggle with fibromyalgia? Did you know that the Family Medical Leave Act can protect your job while you take time away to heal? Julie Hamilton is an expert on FMLA and has used it with her clients and in her own healing journey with fibromyalgia. She joins us today to detail exactly what the FMLA requires in order for you to take advantage of it, and to describe what situations the Act may cover on your own healing journey as a valuable employee.   Key Points "I used to be a good employee until fibromyalgia came along." There may still be ways for you to be that employee again, through using things like the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to take some time off, to heal, and to feel better. Healing can be a full-time job in itself! The FMLA can cover your time away from work, and it also guarantees your job after your return to work. You do not have to be a full-time employee in order to use the FMLA. The Family Medical Leave Act also protects your

What are the things you once loved that fibromyalgia is now keeping you from doing? What would it feel like to be able to take joy in those things again? In this episode, we do more than just tell you how this is possible. Tami will lead you in an interactive exercise that will open the door to your joy and greatest pleasures once again. Download the Joy List Worksheet and start adding the fun things back into your life! Key Points What are the things that you love to do, that feed your soul, that make you happy, that bring joy into your life and fill you up, so that you have something to give? This episode walks you through creating your own Joy List. You will end up, right now, adding something back into your life that brings you joy, something that you've had to say no to before. If you've said yes to too many other things, you might be saying no to the things that bring you joy. Another common barrier to joy: We feel guilty taking time for ourselves. This is not about making yourself another to do list b

It can be super tough to say, “No, I can't do that.” It's so easy for fibromyalgia to feel like an enormous taking away of things. We can't do the job we used to do. We can't do the activities we used to do. We can't eat the foods we used to be able to eat. But we can do a little mindset shift and realize we're doing it for a reason. It’s never about saying No. You learn to say “No” so that you can say “Hell YES!” to other things: the things that really matter to you, the things that will help make your life feel rich and rewarding and fun again. Key Points It's very natural to push yourself to do all of the things you want to do, the things you feel like you need to do, the obligations that you have, or even pushing yourself so you can help somebody else. Saying No sometimes is very emotional. Sometimes, for some people, it really feels like a failure. Are you giving yourself the space to heal, or are you trying to continue on in the exact same way, at the exact same pace, doing the exact same things, as yo

Do you dream of travel and adventure, but the thought of going out-of-town, even for a short weekend, feels defeating — and almost sends you into a flare just thinking about it? Traveling with fibromyalgia can be challenging! These tips from Tami will show you how you can take that summer vacation, visit distant family, or even holiday in Spain, without all of the pain and overwhelm. Key Points The healthier you can start off at the beginning of your trip, the better off you'll be at the end, when you've used up a lot of extra energy Don't be afraid (or ashamed) to ask for help when you need it. Know when and where it is smarter NOT to save money when you travel. How to save weight, wear and tear on your body while you travel. When packing light is NOT a good idea. Plan to use facilities and amenities that can help your body feel better.   Links & Resources FibromyalgiaPodcast.com is the digital companion to this audio magazine, where you can find full show notes, links to the studies referenced in thi

Every 10th episode is a special one, where Tami answers YOUR burning questions. Our first listener question is one that Tami hears quite a lot: “Does the weather affect fibromyalgia?” Listen in for some of the science behind the answer, as well as how our own bodies may know things that science hasn’t figured out yet. Key Points “If I'm in a windy place for just a few minutes, it leads to so much pain for days.” “Normal room temperatures are not normal for me. Whenever I sit in a class, listen to a lesson or a  lecture, I feel cold and that starts to cause more body pain.” When we talk about "weather", we are talking about a lot of things. We are talking about if it's rainy or dry, what the humidity is, if the sun is shining, if it's cloudy, what the temperature is, and along with it, there are things like barometric pressure changes. The term “weather” actually represents a lot of different things! How does the weather affect our fibromyalgia symptoms? How can you help your body feel better, regardless of t

If you put a gun to my head and said, "Tell me the one thing that turned your life around with fibromyalgia, and you can only choose one." That one thing would be learning the fine art of self-care, learning how to listen to my body and give her what she needs so she can heal. This is the #1 thing that will make the biggest difference in how you feel. It is also the hardest part of the job. Taking care of yourself when you don't feel good or when you're frustrated with your body can be so, so challenging. Key Points Self-care means self-love, but it goes beyond an emotion we feel. Self-care means treating ourselves the way we would treat someone that we care about and treating ourselves the way we would treat someone who we are responsible for taking care of. A caring environment is always healthier than a bullying environment, which is actually what most of us are providing ourselves when we try to make ourselves feel better. You just can't heal if you are always berating yourself or pushing yourself to you

Do you always do exactly what your doctor tells you to? Or do you sometimes think, "You have NO clue what it's like to live in a fibromyalgia body? Do you realize what you're asking me?" Or do you just forget because you have brain fog? There are so many reasons why you might not be doing the things your doctor is telling you to do. A Certified Fibromyalgia Coach has been there, done that, and is trained specifically in fibromyalgia treatment and management strategies. Learn how that direct, personal experience can help you bridge the gap and feel better faster. Key Points I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2007. Between 2007 and 2009, I did not get better; in fact, I got worse. In those two years, there were lots of things my doctor was suggesting that I do, and I wasn't very good about doing them. Not because I didn't want to, but because I actually didn't know how. The turning point for getting better was hiring a health coach: a person to talk to, to strategize with, and come with new solutions. If you

As patients, we feel so powerless sometimes. We're at the mercy of our doctors. We're at the mercy of our insurance company. A health coach can help us realize that we have what's called "self-efficacy." We gain a sense of control over our pain, and we engage in our own care in a vitally powerful way. When we engage in our care and gain that control, it's really empowering. We understand that, "I am responsible for myself, and I have the ability to improve my pain." Key Points Sports has already figured out how important coaching is. Executive management has figured out how important coaching is. We need to apply it to health now. New studies show that patient pain levels and functional status improve dramatically with just a coaching model alone. A transformative care model: where you integrate coaching and patient training with treatment, using a team of medical professionals, a health coach, and technology. Additional studies demonstrate what happens when you integrate health coaching into routine care, e

You are the world’s foremost expert at living in your body. No one is a bigger expert on who you are and how you feel than you. Your Mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take responsibility for your own healthcare. Discover how to develop a more collaborative relationship with our providers, and provide them with the right information, so they can make the right diagnosis and help us create the right treatment plan for our specific challenges… and then follow through on what we decide we need to do. Key Points Our providers' jobs are the easy 2%—telling us what needs to be done. Our job as the patient is the really hard 98%—actually doing the things it takes to feel our best. You have 100% control over how you are actively participating in a mental and emotional way, and how you are receiving what your providers have to offer. Use data to give a balanced, true picture of how we are doing when we are talking with our providers. If I say “I can't stand very long," that is very different than: “I can