Fibromyalgia Podcast®

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 (or spiritual well-being). You don't know what you don't know, and having someone to come alongside you, keep you encouraged, share the workload, and offer a different perspective and new ideas can really shortcut that process and help you feel better, faster. About Dr. Robin Pfaff Robin has a doctoral degree in counseling and a master's degree in human development. She has worked as a psychotherapist for over 25 years specializing in women's issues. As you will hear in the episode, Robin has fibromyalgia herself. Robin is trained and certified as a Health and Wellness Coach and as a Fibromyalgia Coach. Since she has fibromyalgia, she understands the frustration of living with a chronic illness and trying to keep up with a job, family, friends, pets, grandkids — all the activities that you enjoy. Robin is determined to be as healthy as she can be while managing fibromyalgia, so that she can be present for her own life as a coach, a wife, a mother and a grandmother. She's delighted to have the opportunity to help you believe in yourself again and take charge of your life and health, so that you can feel better and show up for your own precious life. 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 this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach. Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books. Find out how you can *flourish with fibromyalgia* by visiting Dr. Robin Pfaff's website here. To request Dr. Robin's self-assessment tool — which allows you to pinpoint where you could use some help, what areas of your life to focus on, and where your strengths are — send an email to DrRobinPfaff@gmail.com with the subject line, "BEST Self Assessment". Research Studies To learn about the Adverse Childhood Experiences study (ACE study), visit https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/acestudy/index.html. Note: Additional studies on post traumatic growth can be found by visiting Google Scholar.

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, and make time for that first. Learn the warning signs that your body is going into a fibro flare, and give your loved ones concrete ways that they can help you. 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 this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach. Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books

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 running studies is getting willing participants — but that's how we make the scientific advancement. Advocacy is having a tremendous effect on fibromyalgia research. It actually improves the scientist's ability to create new information. About Dr. Jarred Younger Dr. Jarred Younger is the director of the neuroinflammation Pain and Fatigue Laboratory at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He is currently funded by the National Institute of Health to study new techniques for diagnosing and treating neuroinflammation, which is inflammation in the brain and nervous system. Dr. Younger completed postdoctoral fellowships at Arizona State University and Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Younger's goal is to end the chronic pain and fatigue that is caused by inflammation in the brain. 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 this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach. Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books The Teal Pumpkin Project American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association ClinicalTrials.gov Report.NIH.gov UpToDate.com

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. Studies show that "diets" do not work. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that can work to help you lose weight with fibromyalgia. Note: This episode's show notes and transcript contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we will likely receive a small commission. Read about what we do and don't promote here. 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 this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach. Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books The Fibro Food Formula by Dr Liptan The Mood Cure and The Diet Cure by Julia Ross Why Do We Get Fat? by Gary Taubes

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. Note: This episode's show notes and transcript contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we will likely receive a small commission. Read about what we do and don't promote here. About Greg Houlgate Greg Houlgate is the founder of Oska Wellness. He's a board member, the chief product and business development officer, and has been an innovator of new technologies in both medical and consumer products. He has over 25 years of senior management, sales and marketing experience in many companies, including DJO's Global Recovery Science Division, which is a Blackstone Company; Onsite Network, which is also an interactive media company; West Coast Trends, who is a leading travel luggage and golf bag provider; Porsche Design; and Callaway Golf. Greg holds a bachelor of science degree in economics from UC Irvine and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. 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 this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach. Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books. The Conquering Fibromyalgia Summit (affiliate link) is happening right now and runs from September 9th through the 20th, 2019. This is an online conference featuring doctors, researchers and advocates, and it's hosted by a doctor who also has fibromyalgia. Our own Fibro Coach, Tami Stackelhouse, is one of the speakers and will be offering an exclusive bonus class for conference participants. The tracking tool mentioned in this episode can help make visits to your doctor more effective, giving them documented evidence for your pain and your fatigue levels. Access this tracking tool and all of our bonus materials using this link.

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 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. About Dr. Ginevra A top fibromyalgia expert, Dr. Ginevra is a Tufts University School of Medicine graduate, board-certified in internal medicine, and trained in functional medicine. Dr. Ginevra developed fibromyalgia as a medical student and spent many years using herself as a guinea pig to find successful treatments, which she shares in her books, The FibroManual and The Fibro Food Formula, and her line of herbal and magnesium products, Frida Botanicals. For fierce fibro advice from a doctor with personal experience, be sure to check out her YouTube channel. 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 this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach. Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books. CBD: Dr. Liptan has many articles and videos on CBD on her blog and YouTube channel. She also has her own line of doctor-formulated CBD products at FridaBotanicals.com.

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 FibromyalgiaPodcast.com is the digital companion to this audio magazine, where you can find full show notes, links to the studies referenced in this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach. Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books.

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? About Dr. Melissa Congdon Dr. Congdon practiced general pediatrics in Glendale and Mill Valley, California for 18 years until severe fibromyalgia symptoms forced her to retire from medical practice in 2008. Her diagnosis led her to a comprehensive study of the various treatment options for fibromyalgia. Using a combination of diet, exercise, acupuncture, supplements, medications, the guaifenesin protocol, and other modalities, she was able to return to medical practice in 2009, and chose to become a fibromyalgia consultant. She trained with fibromyalgia expert and author Dr. R. Paul St. Amand, Internist, Endocrinologist, and Associate Professor at the Harbor UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Melissa Congdon is board certified in pediatrics, and sees children and adults in her fibromyalgia and pediatric consulting practice. 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 this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach. Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books. Dr. Melissa Congdon chose to focus on fibromyalgia medicine after her recovery from fibromyalgia symptoms, and caring for children is her first love. Dr. Congdon has 18 years of private practice experience as a board certified pediatrician, an undergraduate degree in psychology, and the experience gained in raising two children of her own. Dr. Congdon offers pediatric consultations to families and since 2009 has treated hundreds of adults and children with fibromyalgia. You can reach out to her at MelissaCongdonMD.com. Inspired by her fibromyalgia patients, Dr. Congdon produced a 30 minute documentary, "Fibromyalgia: Getting Our Lives Back—Success Stories on the Guaifenesin Protocol" which she has made available for free online for everyone to learn more about fibromyalgia and this treatment option. In 1999 Dr. St. Amand, an experienced endocrinologist and UCLA assistant clinical professor, published his effective protocol for reversing fibromyalgia, based on nearly half a century of research, including his own experience with the disease and that of hundreds of his patients. This third edition of the book offers the latest research and Dr. St. Amand's breakthrough program that uses guaifenesin, an inexpensive, safe, and increasingly available medication that can help reverse the disease. The authors have seen symptoms eliminated and normal living restored in an astonishing 95% of the pediatric fibromyalgia sufferers they treated with guaifenesin. We have designed a Symptom Observations worksheet to help you track your child's symptoms to make it easier to report during your visits with medical providers. Access all of our worksheets using this link.

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, advance your career, and feel good while doing it. About Julie Hamilton Julie is a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach, Life Coach and Youth Life Coach. She has over 20 years experience as a Human Resources Director and Manager, with the last nine years in healthcare. In her role as an HR Director and Manager, she educated her coworkers, particularly nursing professionals, on the treatment and management of living with fibromyalgia. Julie has worked with the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) since its inception in 1993, knows the requirements, and can effectively advise individuals on the necessities when working with their employer when they have a chronic disease. Julie's specialty is helping young professionals who are frustrated with their health to excel in their career and regain their active social lives. 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 this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach. Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books. Get the HR tool kit you can print out or email to your HR department to educate them on fibromyalgia. Email Julie directly at JHamilton@CoachingPI.com for a copy. Julie also has an assessment tool to help you understand whether or not you need to request special work accommodations, if you need to use the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act), or if you need to file for disability. You can get that assessment on Julie's website: CoachingPI.com.

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 confidentiality. There are a lot of rules and guidelines, both for the employee and the employer, in order for you to use the FMLA. Julie can help you understand these requirements. It is CRITICAL that you know how to navigate the rules and guidelines, otherwise your FMLA claim may be denied and your wages unrecoverable. About Julie Hamilton Julie is a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach, Life Coach and Youth Life Coach. She has over 20 years experience as a Human Resources Director and Manager, with the last nine years in healthcare. In her role as an HR Director and Manager, she educated her coworkers, particularly nursing professionals, on the treatment and management of living with fibromyalgia. Julie has worked with the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) since its inception in 1993, knows the requirements, and can effectively advise individuals on the necessities when working with their employer when they have a chronic disease. Julie's specialty is helping young professionals who are frustrated with their health to excel in their career and regain their active social lives. 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 this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach. Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books. The FMLA checklist walks you through all of the requirements and deadlines that you need to follow when applying to use the FMLA. Email Julie directly at JHamilton@CoachingPI.com for a copy. Julie also has an assessment tool to help you understand whether or not you need to request special work accommodations, if you need to use the FMLA, or if you need to file for disability. You can get that assessment on Julie's website: CoachingPI.com.