Fibromyalgia Podcast® (Tami Stackelhouse)

Around one-third of fibromyalgia patients also have Sjögren's Syndrome, yet most don’t know about it.

Sjögren's Syndrome is an autoimmune condition that affects the moisture-producing cells in your body. Today Tami is excited to share her conversation with Brenda Faverio, a graduate of the first Fibromyalgia Coach training class and one of the first Certified Fibromyalgia Coaches®. As someone with Sjögren's and fibromyalgia, Brenda shares the insights she uncovered on her healing journey and the experiences of the many women she’s coached.

In this conversation, Tami and Brenda discuss what happens to the body with Sjögren's Syndrome, common symptoms and associated risks of Sjögren's, the overlap between fibromyalgia and Sjögren's, Brenda’s journey to Sjögren's diagnosis, her family history of autoimmune disease, how the Schirmer tear test works, the importance of a supportive and knowledgeable medical team, the evil sidekicks that Brenda experienced alongside her Sjögren's, her experience with testing and treatment from a top Sjögren's specialist, the massive car accident that dramatically increased her symptoms, Brenda’s fibromyalgia diagnosis, how Brenda found her “why”, transforming from a dutiful patient to a proactive patient, the importance of taking action in addition to education, how Brenda found Tami and the decision to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, why she believes it takes a village to get through your autoimmune healing journey, how Brenda keeps her Sjögren's and fibromyalgia well-managed, building the skillset for managing your symptoms, red flags that suggest you should explore a Sjögren's diagnosis, how fibromyalgia symptoms show up differently from Sjögren's symptoms, first steps to take if you recognize Sjögren's red flags, how you can work with Brenda, words of encouragement for you wherever you are in your fibro journey, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

When we think about our fibromyalgia diagnosis, we tend to think in "survival" terms - How am I going to beat this? or How am I going to get better? Your Coach, Tami Stackelhouse, has a radically different perspective to offer: true, honest embracement. This may be very hard to hear, especially if you are in a lot of pain. We know how impossible this sounds. So listen gently, and learn how Tami took the tough, debilitating “life sentence” of fibromyalgia and turned it into a blessing for herself and others.

Key Points

• “What we don't do is almost more important than what we do, do.” This insightful quote by Steve Jobs is a provocative way to approach your new fibro life.
• How to become “tracking-wise” to learn what helps and what hurts.
• How to know what makes you feel good and ASK FOR what you need.

Links & Resources

• FibromyalgiaPodcast.com is the digital companion to this audio magazine, where you can find full show notes, 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 TakeBackYourLifeBook.com. Chapter 4, “How Can I Have More Energy?” contains step-by-step instructions on how to use a pedometer to help you manage your energy.
• Tracking tools mentioned in this episode are available at: https://fibromyalgiacoachinginstitute.com/book-bonuses/
• “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson on Amazon
• Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix

There are things you know you don't know, like rocket science, maybe. But there are also many things that you don't know that you don't know, like your unconscious habits or how your body will respond to a particular fibromyalgia treatment option you never knew existed.

In this special replay, Eva Minkoff, host of the [Human]care podcast, interviews Tami to uncover the two lowest points in Tami's fibromyalgia journey, the thing that turned it all around for her, and how she guides her clients into "knowing what you don't know."

Be warned! There is a lot of laughter and fun in this episode! In fact, Tami describes this interview as one of the most fun interviews she's ever done! Enjoy!

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/48.

Note: This interview was originally shared in April 2019 on the Invisible Not Broken podcast. Eva has recently launched her own podcast, [Human]care, and includes a re-issue of this episode.

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 only stand for 5 minutes,” or “I can only stand for an hour.”
• You are the one living inside your body. You are the one who has to take care of it.
• How do you go about doing that really hard 98% of following through?

Links & Resources

• FibromyalgiaPodcast.com is the digital companion to this audio magazine, where you can find full show notes, 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.
• Tracking tools mentioned in this episode are available here

Treating your thyroid is a critical piece of managing fibromyalgia. It’s so crucial that Tami dedicates a whole week of the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® training program to teaching about thyroid.

It’s also an issue that’s near and dear to Tami’s heart because it’s a significant part of her story. After years of classic thyroid symptoms being dismissed because her labs were “normal,” Tami was fortunate to discuss the problem with her fibromyalgia doctor, who ordered a full thyroid panel. That was when they discovered that she had Hashimoto’s, and treating it was a major step forward in getting her fibromyalgia under control.

Today Tami has invited her thyroid doctor, Dr. Kaley Bourgeois, to the podcast to talk about thyroid issues in fibromyalgia patients. In this conversation, Tami and Dr. B discuss what the thyroid is and what it does, what thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) signals, common symptoms of hypothyroidism, why Hashimoto’s is often missed, why Dr. B always includes thyroid screening for her fibro patients, how thyroid hormones are made, the role of T3 and T4 in your body, why it’s common for fibro patients to have issues converting T4 to T3, Dr. B’s recommendation to ask for a full thyroid panel with antibodies, huge differences between optimal versus lab ranges, treating thyroid issues, what you need to know about iodine, the three essential thyroid nutrients, considerations for thyroid hormone therapy, different medication options, why medicine needs to be individualized, your thyroid needs shift throughout your life, how to find the right practitioner for you, why most doctors aren’t well-versed in treating thyroid conditions, dietary changes to support your thyroid, lifestyle and nutritional factors to avoid, and more.

If you’ve ever had a doctor tell you that your thyroid is normal despite your symptoms, Dr. B is here to share why your doctor probably doesn't know how to treat your thyroid and the steps you can take to move forward on your healing journey.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Tami Stackelhouse's fibromyalgia journey went from diagnosis to disability to desperation before she discovered the keys to living a fibro life she loves. Today, Tami almost never has body pain, has enough energy to do the things she wants to do, and her life no longer revolves around her illness. As your Fibromyalgia Coach, Tami's mission is to encourage hope and educate you on ways you can improve your fibromyalgia symptoms.

This audio magazine will feature a Dream Team of top doctors, researchers, experts, coaches, and patient advocates in the fibromyalgia community. Tami will be sharing before and after stories to inspire you and show you what is possible. Tami will coach you the same way she has coached her clients over the last decade.

Stay tuned for our foundational episodes, covering some basic topics that I talk about over and over again, such as:

• The role that we have as patients in our own healthcare
• Why your body isn't actually the enemy
• What a Fibromyalgia Coach is and does
• How self-care isn't really about the things you do

Ever wish you had an owner's manual for your body? Something you could reference to see exactly what to do to keep your body feeling its best?

Often, it seems like fibromyalgia symptoms create a guessing game of, "What did I do this time?" One minute you're fine, the next you've crossed the line into a fibromyalgia flare. In this episode, you'll learn how to write your very own owner's manual for your body. Tami calls this your "Book of You", a guide to managing your fibromyalgia symptoms and creating more predictable energy and pain levels. Included in this episode are prompts and examples to help you begin.

For more information, the Getting To Know You worksheet, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/47.

Have you arrived at the end of the year wondering, "What just happened?" Are you thinking, "Next year will be different!".... but wondering exactly how you will make next year different?

Good news! In this episode, Tami will teach you how to implement a year-end review process. This review will help you capture what worked from the year that's ending, including what you enjoyed, what worked, and what you want more of in the new year. You will also review what didn't work, what you want less of in the new year, and what kind of help you'll need to make those changes stick.

Grab your journal, your favorite pen, and a cup of tea and settle in for your year-end review. In our next episode, we will begin creating the plan for you to have your best year ever next year!

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/52.

In this Ask the Coach episode, Tami answers the question, "Should I take medication for fibromyalgia?"

The good news is that there are many ways of treating fibromyalgia. It's not a choice between medication or nothing! Instead, you get to choose whether or not medication is the right choice for you AND if you want to try other treatment options.

Tami gives six key points to consider as you make your choice. As always, anyone wishing assistance in this decision-making process should consider scheduling a consultation for more personalized assistance.

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/50.

In this special bonus episode, I'm sharing a recent guest appearance I made on the Beyond Diagnosis podcast hosted by Rita De Michele.

Beyond Diagnosis helps women over 40 who are not getting the solutions or outcomes they would like to see from traditional medical care.

Rita is a Mindset and Empowerment Coach and, in this interview, we actually start at a pretty basic level since she has listeners who might not understand what fibromyalgia is.

In the interview, we discuss what fibromyalgia is, what the research is that shows fibromyalgia is real, the first things I did when I started working on improving my symptoms, and some of the things you can do to begin improving your fibromyalgia symptoms, and the mindset shifts that are needed in order to become an empowered patient.

If you enjoy this episode, please check out the rest of Rita's podcast here.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Visiting the dentist when you have fibromyalgia is almost never fun — right now it's even more stressful because many of us put off seeing the dentist during the COVID pandemic! Since it may have been a year or two since your last dental exam, you may fear what the dentist will find.

Tami found herself in this situation recently, with an emergency dental visit and a brand-new dentist. That experience led her to record this episode with the tips she uses regularly to make her dental visits less painful.

Whether you're dreading going to the dentist after an extended time away due to COVID — or your fibromyalgia makes seeing the dentist more painful — utilizing these tips will help you have a much easier time on your next visit.

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/64.

“No matter how small, any type of advocacy you do will have an impact.” - Lily Garner

According to the NIH, fibromyalgia affects 1 in 13 women in the US. That means about twice as many women are diagnosed with fibromyalgia as are diagnosed with colon cancer, and while you're not going to die from fibromyalgia, living with fibro pain and fatigue can feel like its own kind of death. Despite this and the fact that this rate is on par with or higher than many other conditions, fibromyalgia research continues to receive less funding than its counterparts.

The massive gap in advocacy and awareness means that while every woman knows to get a mammogram each year to screen for breast cancer or annual exams for cervical cancer, most doctors have never been taught how to screen for fibromyalgia or how to treat it. Some educational institutions still teach that fibromyalgia is a psychological disorder.

If we want this to change, we need more funding for fibromyalgia research and more people like today’s guests, Ann and Lily Garner, to advocate on behalf of our community. Ann and Lily Garner join Tami in this episode to discuss their experience advocating for fibromyalgia with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. Ann is a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® who has lived with fibromyalgia for over 20 years and her 14-year-old daughter, Lily, has been living with chronic illnesses for the last six years.

In this conversation, Tami, Ann, and Lily talk about Lily’s diagnoses and the long journey of medical gaslighting to get there, the massive difference it makes when you find the right doctor, Ann’s decision to become a fibro coach, how Ann’s experience advocating for Lily led to her working with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, why Ann and Lily decided to go to D.C. to join fibromyalgia advocacy efforts, the importance of having young people as fibromyalgia advocates, what the day-to-day of their advocacy trip to D.C. looked like, the type of responses and reactions they received from lawmakers in D.C., what’s next for Ann and Lily, Ann’s work as a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, and more.

Tami hopes this episode will inspire you to go out there, do your part, and let's change the world together.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

“Give yourself some grace and just know that you've done this for a reason, and it will make your life better.” - Deb Thompson

Many times, people with fibromyalgia put off surgeries that they need to have because they're worried about the inevitable fibro flare that's coming. When we have surgery, chances are that it’s going to cause a fibro flare. The good news is that while our pain may initially get worse, it then gets much better.

The key to getting through this is planning and owning what you need. No matter how close someone is to you or how much they know you, it’s always your job to understand and communicate your needs. When you have the right tools, it’s much easier to put that possible fibro flare into perspective and do what’s best for your health.

Today, Tami is joined by Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® Deb Thompson to discuss practical tips for anyone with fibromyalgia who is facing a major medical procedure. Deb has recently had her third major surgery in eight years, and she’s sharing what was different about her most recent surgery and what she's learned in the process.

In this conversation, Deb and Tami talk about Deb’s timeline of chronic pain and long journey to a fibromyalgia diagnosis, her struggle with acceptance, how the podcast helped her to find support, why Deb decided to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, common concerns about the effect of surgery on fibromyalgia symptoms, Deb’s first surgery and lack of improvement after, her reflections on issues that arose with that first time, her recognition that she was looking outside herself to fix the problem, how emotional and physical stress affect pain levels post-surgery, pre-surgery preparations that helped Deb’s second surgery experience, comparing her recovery experiences, managing the post-surgery emotional crash, strategies for organizing tasks and planning for help ahead of surgery, minimizing stress and calming down your nervous system, getting back to basics with the things you know help with fibro symptoms, identifying pre-surgery requirements from a medication perspective, the best way to ask for help and communicate with your medical team, being proactive in pain management, communicating your needs to your family before surgery, building your flare survival plan, pre-appoinment preparation, coping with medical trauma, Deb’s top tips for recovery and managing fatigue post-surgery, accepting help from friends and family, creating a comfort bag to maintain independence post-surgery, why it’s crucial to prioritize sleep for recovery and managing fibromyalgia symptoms, self-care to support your long-term health, managing feelings of overwhelm effectively, how Deb helps women with fibromyalgia break the cycle of pain and fatigue, her advice for people with fibro facing upcoming surgeries, how the right coach can support you around your surgery, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

“You need to make room for yourself.” - Lauren Vazzano

If you’re struggling with fibromyalgia and juggling the responsibilities of motherhood, you’re not alone. The good news is that you can feel better with the right strategies and support. Making yourself a priority and improving your health is the best way to support your family and help them to be in good health and good spirits.

Focusing on yourself can feel much easier said than done when you're in the thick of things, and that’s where a coach can make a huge difference. You don’t need to go on this journey alone.

Today’s guest, Lauren Vazzano, joins Tami to talk about how she was able to drastically improve her fibromyalgia symptoms as a stay-at-home mom with two young children. Diagnosed in the fall of 2020, Lauren's story is a testament to resilience and the power of being proactive about your health.

In this conversation, Lauren and Tami discuss Lauren’s fibromyalgia diagnosis timeline, how she was affected by the pandemic, the difficulties of homeschooling her young children while managing her health, Lauren’s journey through different doctors and treatments in search of relief, the value of lifestyle changes alongside medication for managing fibromyalgia, balancing dietary changes for fibromyalgia with managing family meals and preferences, strategies for accommodating kids' picky eating, how dietary changes affected her fibromyalgia symptoms, working with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® for support and guidance, modifying daily activities to reduce pain and improve quality of life, building a supportive team of specialists for managing fibromyalgia symptoms, overcoming overwhelm on the healing journey, focusing on healing rather than illness, Lauren’s decision to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, Lauren's fibromyalgia impact questionnaire scores and their significance, the rewarding experience of helping others with fibromyalgia, how coaching addresses the various life aspects affected by fibromyalgia, Lauren’s message for other mothers with fibromyalgia and family responsibilities, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

We don't love New Year's Resolutions, but it’s that time of year. A lot of people are making resolutions, like: I'm going to get in shape, I'm going to eat better, I'm going to get control over my finances. Well, the ideas and intentions are good, but resolutions don't really set you up for success. In this episode, Tami will teach you how to create the foundation that you need, the support that you need, and the structure that is needed in your life to allow change to happen, and to happen easily.

Key Points

• Why do so many of us fail at New Year’s Resolutions, even when we are desperate to see these positive changes in our lives?
• Goal setting is also a challenge, especially for those of us with fibromyalgia. Learn why even S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-oriented) are not enough to bring you success.
• Find out Tami’s super simple secret to make reaching your goals automatic.
• Set your life up in a way that it becomes easier to do the thing, than to not do the thing.

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.
• Resolution Evolution 2020 on Saturday, January 11th.
• Your world doesn’t revolve around your illness. It revolves around your healing. Stories of Hope and Healing is a graduation celebration of the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute. Join us on Saturday, January 18th at 1:00 p.m. PST to hear how each of our newest graduates have been able to improve their fibromyalgia symptoms at IFCIgraduation.com.
• Tami will be teaching LIVE, one class each month for the entire year. Her first workshop will be Gentle Goal Setting for Fibromyalgia, an expansion of what you're going to hear on today's episode. These classes will not be recorded, so we hope you can join us LIVE on Monday, January 13th at 3:00 p.m. Pacific time. Go to FibroWorkshop.com to RSVP, get the workbook, and get ready to make meaningful progress toward living a life you love.
• "Atomic Habits" by James Clear (affiliate link)

We've all had those times where we're going along, we're doing fine, and all of a sudden, we've done too much. We've all been there! It seems like the line between "okay" and "too much" is so fine, you can't tell when you're going to crossover. In this episode, Tami shares her favorite energy management tool that will put you back in the driver's seat and in control of your own energy levels.

Key Points

• Using a pedometer or activity tracker can help you manage your energy.
• If we want to get better, we need to budget some of our energy towards our healing.
• If you don’t feel good at your current average number of steps, you may need to figure out ways to decrease your steps.
• Don’t look at the number of steps on your activity tracker as the minimum to meet each day. Instead, it’s the maximum amount you can spend for the day.
• Pay attention to how many steps each activity costs you. Once you have an idea of what things cost, you can start making choices on how you want to spend your energy.
• Activity trackers give you an objective way to estimate how much energy you’ve spent and have left. This puts you back in the driver’s seat and gives you control.
• Tracking your steps gives you a way to go back and look at your history when you have moments where you think, "Oh great. I’m in a flare. What the heck did I do this time?"
• In order to get better, you have to know how much energy you’re really spending each day, what makes you feel good, and what is too much.
• Most of Tami’s fibromyalgia clients average 1,000-5,000 steps a day at the beginning.
• If you feel good and have energy at the end of the day, that means your body has energy left to heal. It doesn’t mean you should have done more.

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.
• Tami's first book, Take Back Your Life, contains more information on managing your energy using a pedometer. Get free copies of Tami’s books here.  
• Find a Coach to help you discover new ways to improve your energy

Other Episodes Mentioned

• Episode 27: Goal-Setting & Habits with Fibromyalgia
• Episode 28: Exercise in a Fibromyalgia Body with Megan Densmore
• Episode 32: Your World Revolves Around Your Healing, Not Your Illness

Have you been recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia? Did you leave your doctor's office with more questions than answers? Or are you overwhelmed with information? Are you wondering, "What do I do now?"

In this episode, Tami covers the first steps of her own journey, as well as where she begins working with her students and clients. The ten steps in this episode include five things you can begin doing right away, on your own, with or without your doctor's help; the other five you'll want to work with your doctor on to get the best results. Tami has also included a list of Fibromyalgia Podcast episodes and resources perfect for anyone who is newly diagnosed, or simply wants to get back to basics.

There is so much that can be done to improve fibromyalgia symptoms and pain. Information can be confusing and overwhelming. Start with the steps in this episode to build a solid foundation that will help you feel your best — and help your providers help you more effectively!

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/69.

“The room's not moving, but you still feel like you're on a boat. It just feels terrible.”

About 60 to 70% of all fibromyalgia patients also deal with dizziness, which shows up in two main ways: lightheadedness and vertigo. With lightheadedness, you’ll typically experience a feeling like you might faint or pass out, whereas with vertigo, it feels like the world is moving even when you’re holding still.

For the past week, Tami has been dealing with an episode of bad vertigo, and she decided to use this as an opportunity to bring the topic to the podcast since, chances are, you’ve experienced dizziness too.

Today, Tami is talking about the differences between lightheadedness and vertigo, the most common causes of lightheadedness in fibromyalgia patients, her recent experience with vertigo and how it compared to her first episode, the role of the vestibular system, conditions which cause vertigo, symptoms of BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), Ménière Disease and unilateral vestibular hypofunction, how these conditions differ from each other, vestibular migraines and their connection to vertigo symptoms, medications such used to treat vertigo and their effects on patients, vestibular rehabilitation therapy and why it’s essential for recovery, specific exercises used in vestibular rehabilitation to improve balance, how the Epley maneuver helps with BPPV-related vertigo, what research shows about the benefits of whole body vibration for treating vertigo, Tami’s current medications (including Scopolamine (patch), Dramamine Less Drowsy (meclizine), Zofran (ondansetron), Phenergan (promethazine)), and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

“The big rule of thumb is to do things that make you feel better.” - Dr. Izabella Wentz

Adrenal dysfunction is a significant contributing factor to fibromyalgia, and over the years, we’ve never met someone with fibromyalgia who didn’t also need to heal their adrenals. For Tami, supporting her adrenals and correcting her adrenal function resulted in her feeling much better. 

For today’s episode, Tami is joined by Dr. Izabella Wentz, author of the new book Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Tami and Dr. Wentz discuss Dr. Wentz’s experience with adrenal dysfunction, how she found solutions at different stages of her life, why it’s essential to address both thyroid and adrenal health together, the interactive relationship between cortisol and thyroid hormones, the distinction between between adrenal fatigue and adrenal dysfunction, sources of stress that are often overlooked, dealing with medical gaslighting, the frustrating but common pattern of disrupted cortisol levels affecting sleep, how to regulate cortisol production and optimize your circadian rhythm, why we need natural light exposure where possible, Dr. Wentz’s passion for empowering people to take charge of their health, the Adrenal Transformation Protocol, different ways you can send your body safety signals, making time to minimize stress triggers in daily life and add pleasurable activities, different patterns of adrenal dysfunction, when exercise is beneficial versus detrimental for individuals, strategies for building resilience, the value of positive affirmations and the need to address unresolved trauma, the impact of self-talk on inflammation and stress in the body, the cumulative power of small changes, Dr. Wentz’s message for you, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

For many of us, the fibromyalgia diagnosis left us feeling like, “Who am I now?”

Fibromyalgia changes how we see ourselves, relate with others, and interact in our lives.

What if you could significantly improve your quality of life? Or have the energy to do the things you love? Or to travel and enjoy yourself?

Today is the seventh installment of our Stories of Hope and Healing. Tami interviews five recent graduates of the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® program, and they share their journeys from pre-diagnosis to where they are now after graduation. One graduate even improved by 87%, going from the most symptomatic student in class to being essentially symptom-free today.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Lisa’s fibromyalgia diagnosis led to an existential crisis and feelings of being spiritually unmoored, how her coach, Robin, helped to support her healing journey and build her healthcare team, celebrating the little wins with a “ta-da” list, the various approaches that contributed to Lisa’s 63% improvement in her fibromyalgia impact questionnaire score, the recognition that healing requires energy, resources to learn more about low-dose naltrexone, Lisa’s message for anyone dealing with a spiritual crisis, Kim’s post-diagnosis struggle with improving her symptoms after recognizing that the FDA-approved drugs were not a good fit for her, learning how to listen to what your body needs, how Kim’s coach, Robin, helped her to tune into your body’s voice, getting honest with yourself about the impact that fibromyalgia has on your life, how Kim used the tools she learned in class and her healthcare team to get through a recent significant fibro flare, the holistic changes that helped Kim improve her symptoms by 46%, recognizing the significance of an individual approach to symptom management, the far-reaching positive impact we can make by sharing what we know, the significant changes Connie has felt since going through the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® program and improving her symptoms by 87%, how Connie’s coach, Brenda, helped her in numerous ways throughout her healing journey, Connie’s thyroid health, the huge difference that finding the right diet has made for Connie, Susan’s experience of trying various integrative and regular doctors, diets, and treatments, the frustration of not finding a solution until discovering the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® program, how Susan’s symptoms impacted her career as a kindergarten teacher, techniques and strategies that helped to improve Susan’s quality of life, the ways that her coach helped with implementing the new strategies, giving yourself permission to take care of yourself without guilt, staying on top of your pain, Lauren’s deep dive into fibromyalgia resources right after her diagnosis, deciding to work with her coach, Julie, early in her journey and the impact she’s had on Lauren’s fibromyalgia journey, why coaching has been Tami’s secret weapon in managing her fibromyalgia, how you can join the next Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, and more.

If you've been looking for new ideas on your fibromyalgia healing journey, you’ll definitely find some in today's episode.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

“I’d like to try Lyrica, but I worry about if I ever had to come off. Should I try it?”

For today’s Ask The Coach episode, I’m answering this question sent in by Sarah in the UK.

When treating fibromyalgia, we have to attack it from two sides. The first is addressing the fibromyalgia itself and the amplification of pain signals; the second is treating the pain that your fibromyalgia amplifies.

In most cases, fibromyalgia medications are more helpful than harmful and can be a valuable tool to break the pain cycle.

That said, the question of medications is complex and impossible to cover in detail in a podcast episode. Tami’s primary focus for this answer will be on fibromyalgia medications that address the amplification of pain signals, how they work, and the most important aspects you’ll want to consider.

In this episode, Tami discusses the FDA-approved medications for fibromyalgia, the fact that no single drug is capable of managing all fibromyalgia symptoms, Tami’s two-pronged approach to treating fibromyalgia, the main goal of fibromyalgia medications, Lyrica’s history and previous versions, how Lyrica and Neurontin work to reduce our experience of our pain, common side effects of Lyrica, physical dependency versus addiction, how serotonin and norepinephrine affect pain levels, why the anti-depressants Savella and Cymbalta also help to address fibromyalgia symptoms, the mode of action of other anti-depressants that are sometimes prescribed for fibromyalgia, Cymbalta is known for being challenging to come off of, the importance of very slowly weaning off of medications, the gradual process Tami used when she was ready to come off of her medications, why we hear more stories about negative experiences, the fact that there’s no morality in taking medication, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami’s books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

So often with fibromyalgia, we’re given negative news: there’s no cure, your life has changed, and the list continues. Once again, we’re on a mission to break that trend and show you that there are still adventures for you.

Tami is excited to be joined by Melissa Swanson to share the recent epic hiking adventure that, not too long ago, neither of them would have thought possible. Melissa and Tami met about eight years ago at the Leaders Against Pain Scholarship Training in 2014; since then, so much has changed.

In this episode, Melissa and Tami share what their fibromyalgia symptoms were like when they met, what it was like to have their sole focus be on getting through the day, why Melissa needed to wear sunglasses all the time, how Melissa’s bad knee acted as a trigger for a lot of other pain, the anxiety around having surgery and the potential impact it might have on your fibro, Melissa’s amazing recovery following total knee replacement surgery, the significant improvements Melissa experienced after joining the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® program, Tami and Melissa’s recent hiking adventure to the middle of nowhere and navigating “steep but manageable trails,” the surprisingly light after-effects of Tami and Melissa’s adventure, what Tami and Melissa did to boost their recovery, Tami and Melissa’s recognition that they are doing better than they realized, the shifts that made the most significant differences on Melissa’s fibro journey, and more.

After their adventure, Tami and Melissa were blown away by what they could actually accomplish now with their fibromyalgia. We hope their story and journey will inspire you.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

We're in the middle of the summit, Living Well With Fibromyalgia: Real Patients, Expert Advice, Proven Results, and don't have a podcast episode for you this week.

In case you missed the previous announcement about the summit, it's a unique event that started on January 20th, but it's not too late to join us for free. It features real patients who are thriving with fibromyalgia, sharing their experiences and advice. In this two-week summit, you'll get a head-start on feeling better with condensed content that would normally take us 8-9 months on the Fibromyalgia Podcast^® to deliver.

This summit is in a fibro-friendly private podcast format, accessible anywhere, anytime, with only one speaker each day, making it accessible for fibro bodies and minds.

Sign up at FibroWellnessSummit.com to access this exclusive content and connect with a supportive community. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity for Living Well With Fibromyalgia.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

We often underestimate what we can accomplish in a year. The goal can seem so massive that we think we’ll never get there and don’t even bother to try.

That’s why it’s so important to hear stories of hope from people who have been where you are. There is so much you can do in a year; whether or not you go for it, the year will go by. It’s up to you to decide what you want to do between now and then.

Today, we’re having a special bonus episode where Kim Osborne, a current student in our Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® training program, joins Tami. In September 2022, when Kim came to Tami, she was struggling. She was at the end of her rope and didn’t know what else to try. Many of the things that used to help her cope weren't working for her anymore, and even with her training as a health coach and yoga instructor, she was still feeling miserable. In this episode, Kim shares what worked for her and how her life transformed over the past year.

In this conversation, Tami and Kim discuss Kim's fibromyalgia diagnosis and the start of her journey, her experience with prescribed medications and struggle with the recommendations from her rheumatologist, the downward slide many of us experience where our lives get smaller and smaller, why Kim decided to explore alternative solutions including seeking a fibromyalgia coach, the decisive moment when you realize life can get better, the feeling of finding hope and support in a community who truly understands you, the powerful impact of being coached by the right person, surprising lessons that came from working with Kim’s fibromyalgia coach, Robin, the drastic difference between a trip Robin took a year ago and again this year, being open to changing goals and expectations when we recognize what our bodies need, Kim’s progress in the past year, the importance of taking action between now and the future, recognizing the real role of a coach, why seeing a functional medicine doctor was game changing for Kim, the subtle difference between wanting to fix fibro and wanting to help yourself feel as good as possible, why Kim decided to take the  Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® course instead of only working with a coach, Kim’s plans for the upcoming year, her experience working with clients during her Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® internship, remembering that each person's fibromyalgia journey is unique, Kim’s message of hope and encouragement if you’re struggling with your fibromyalgia journey, and more.

If you don't have your own hope, borrow Kim’s. You can find ways to feel better, and we would love to help.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Many people with fibromyalgia also deal with a lot of anxiety.

With your nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight mode, you have a diminished capacity that can put you closer to the panic threshold. What that looks like in day-to-day life is that you might find yourself often pushed over the edge by something objectively small.

To help you learn more about managing anxiety and panic attacks, Tami is delighted to bring Ramses Rodriguez back to the podcast to share his expertise. Ramses has a great way of blending research and science with the down-to-earth and practicalness of someone who has lived through it themselves.

In their conversation, Tami and Ramses discuss his journey with panic attacks and anxiety, how anxiety impacted every facet of his life from career to relationships, how Ramses has gotten to a point where his panics are in remission, common symptoms of a panic attack, why it’s crucial to see a doctor if you think you have panic attacks, the key to getting your panics in remission, the physical toll of having anxiety, the metaphysical aspect of anxiety, practical steps you can take to bring down your anxiety baseline, exposure therapy for treating anxiety, why some breathing exercises make anxiety worse, the three major factors that cause anxiety, creating a regular practice to manage your anxiety baseline, the benefits of having a coach and a personalized strategy, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Welcome to the final episode of our special Be a Coach series. So far, I’ve answered questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®.

Some of the topics covered in the first three parts of this special series were what a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® and a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® is, the difference between the two, who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® and who is better suited to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®, what you need and don’t need to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® or Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, why the world needs fibro coaches, and why you should consider becoming one.

In this final installment, I’m digging into the nuts and bolts of how you can become a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® or Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®; including the exact steps you need to take.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

Don't like waiting? Register now to have the complete 'Be A Coach' series, along with several bonus episodes, delivered straight to your favorite podcast app.  Use this link to sign up for FREE.

Interested in hearing from our alumni about their journey in our courses? Register to receive our complimentary 'Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope' collection, automatically delivered to your favorite podcast app. Use this link to subscribe.

Join our next Virtual Open House and learn about our specialized training programs. Understand the difference between our Coach and Advisor paths, explore tuition options, and discover our fibro-friendly class structure. Click here to register or watch the replay.

To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Thousands of fibro patients are dispelling the gloomy prognosis that once came with fibromyalgia. The good news is there are so many ways for you to start feeling better! With so many options to take back your health and your life, the new challenge is figuring out where to begin. Do you start with cutting out sugar? Adding a supplement? Improving your sleep hygiene? Trying new techniques for pain remediation? Relax. Now smile. Tami offers expert guidance with four simple questions.

Key Points

• There are so many ways for you to start feeling better! How do you choose?
• Fibromyalgia is complicated and affects so many areas of your life. It can often be difficult to know where to begin on the road back to health.
• Learn four ways to approach finding the best place to start (or continue) your personal fibromyalgia healing journey.
• The four questions you should ask yourself to determine the next best step for 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.
• Tami will be teaching LIVE, one class each month, for the entire year 2020. This is the same information that she teaches her Coaches, clients, and students. These classes will not be recorded, so we hope you can join us LIVE. Go to FibroWorkshop.com to find out what Tami is teaching next. 

Over the last few months, many parents are unexpectedly learning how to "homeschool" as kids are unable to attend school in person during the COVID-19 pandemic. If having your kids out of the house for school was part of your fibromyalgia coping strategy, you might be struggling right about now!

In this episode, Tami interviews Julie Schiffman, a Fibromyalgia Coach-in-Training who has lived with fibromyalgia for over 20 years, all while raising three daughters. Listen in as Tami and Julie discuss the most important thing you can teach your kids, as well as tips to help you cope.

Key Points

• Fibromyalgia is not the end.
• What’s really important is teaching your kids character.
• Your fibromyalgia can really teach your kids how to not judge people and be respectful of people who are different than us.
• We are really teaching our kids how to be better human beings.
• You really need to let your kids learn to care for themselves. There will be a time they need to — so why not start now?
• One of the tools we often help our clients create is a Flare Survival Kit. This is a list of things that help you manage your fibromyalgia. You can stick this on your fridge and your family can help you.
• Most of us with fibromyalgia manage it ourselves and we don't think about how to include other people in that management.
• We try our best, but it’s okay to not be a hundred percent all the time. Just be who you are and embrace it

About Julie Schiffman

Julie Schiffman was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia over 20 years ago when her three daughters were very young. Over the years, she has learned so much about how to change her life to suit her illness. With the tools Julie's learned, she is no longer fearful for the future. Knowing how to take care of herself as a fibromyalgia patient is her key to having the confidence to live the best life possible.  

Julie helps moms struggling with guilt, desperation, and isolation, minimize their fibromyalgia symptoms while learning new ways of parenting.

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.
• Ravyn's Doll: How To Explain Fibromyalgia To Your Child, by Melissa Swanson (Affiliate link)
• Ravyn's Doll Coloring Book, by Melissa Swanson (Affiliate link)
• Why Does Mommy Hurt? by Elizabeth M. Christy (Affiliate link)

Leaking a little when you cough or laugh and getting up multiple times a night to go to the bathroom isn't just about getting older and it's not about your fibromyalgia!

In this episode, Tami interviews Dr. Shelia Whiteman, author of To Pee or Not To Pee?, on the causes of bladder leakage, a common cause of prolapse, and what healthy bladder habits should look like. In addition, Tami shares her personal experience of working with Dr. Whiteman on her own challenges.

Key Points

• It is not normal to have bladder leakage as you age.
• If you have to go to the bathroom several times during a few hours, that is not normal.
• Having fibromyalgia does not mean that everything that is bothering you is because fibromyalgia.
• If you have a strong pelvic floor, that helps in supporting all your organs.
• Many women trying to do Kegels are not doing them correctly.
• Many bladder issues are easily fixable.

About Dr. Whiteman

Dr. Shelia Whiteman enables women to stop worrying about bladder leaks. She is the best-selling author of To Pee or Not To Pee?  The Guide to Reducing and Eliminating Urinary Incontinence and is a pelvic health physical therapist. 

Dr. Whiteman received her Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College, a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Boston University, and is a licensed Physical Therapist in the state of Maryland.

As an advocate for health and wellbeing, Dr. Whiteman has led many presentations, fitness programs, and volunteer activities in her community. In her leisure time, she can be found teaching cycling and pilates classes.

See Links & Resources below for links to download Dr. Whiteman's books for free, or schedule a complimentary consultation.

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.
• Pain Warriors documentary on Amazon (Affiliate link)
• To Pee or Not To Pee?: The Guide For Reducing and Eliminating Urinary Incontinence by Dr. Shelia Whiteman (FREE download)
• To Pee or Not To Pee?: The Guide For Reducing and Eliminating Urinary Incontinence by Dr. Shelia Whiteman on Amazon (Affiliate link)
• Schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Whiteman

Other Episodes Mentioned

• Episode 28, Exercise in a Fibromyalgia Body with Megan Densmore

So much has changed in the seven years since my first book, Take Back Your Life, was released. I'm excited to announce that I have just expanded, updated, and released a second edition!

From a new chapter on brain fog to massive progress on my fibromyalgia journey, I’m excited to share this updated version with you.

To celebrate the release, I invited my friend, Ramses Rodriguez, to interview me.

In this episode, Ramses and I talk about the exciting changes you’ll find in the new edition of Take Back Your Life, why it was so important for me to include a whole chapter on brain fog, how I break down the science into practical tools for everyday life, the story behind the title of the book, how getting a health coach changed my life, red flags that might mean you need more support than your current doctor can provide, how a fibromyalgia coach can support you as part of your health team, and more.

I hope you enjoy my interview with Ramses and that you enjoy the new book. I’d love to hear what you think.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®.

Unrefreshing sleep is one of the hallmarks of fibromyalgia, and it’s hard to face the day when you wake up feeling depleted.

With Fibromyalgia, we find three significant sleep issues that we must address: struggle with getting to sleep, problems with staying asleep, and calming the overactive fight or flight so we can get restful sleep.

Sleep is essential for having the mental and emotional energy to do the things we need to do to feel better, and Tami believes that her fibromyalgia would not be in remission without tackling her sleep issues. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution; everyone has to find the right recipe for their sleep. Today’s guest, Sovann Pen, joins Tami to talk about why sleep is vital to our overall health and how you can get better sleep.

In this conversation, Sovann and Tami discuss Sovann’s 25-year sleep career, how different people are affected by poor sleep quality, thinking about how your life could be better with better sleep, don’t assume your symptoms are solely due to fibromyalgia, how not getting enough sleep leaves us vulnerable to burnout, the high correlation between fibromyalgia and sleep apnea, the four stages of sleep, why people with fibromyalgia often struggle with getting restful sleep, Tami’s experience with sleep studies, what a sleep study entails, the three main sleep issues people with fibromyalgia experience, why you need to start sleep hygiene as soon as you wake up, when to consider meeting with a sleep specialist, the right place for sleep aids and medication for sleeping, when to take melatonin, figuring out what’s waking you up in the night, negative sleep thoughts, social media has a negative effect on many people’s sleep, digging deeper into the symptoms to address the core problem, how you can use the Wellness Wheel, Sovann’s tips for making friends with your CPAP machine, the need to slow down and take care of yourself, and more.

Be sure to tune in to next week’s special bonus episode, where Tami will share fibro-specific sleep information, including studies, supplements, and topics she teaches in her Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor™ class.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

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.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach℠.

Befriending your nervous systems starts with recognizing the unique patterns that may not be serving you and empowering yourself while getting to a place of balance.

Tami is excited to share this conversation with coach and Somatic Experiencing expert, Sarah Kleiner. Sometimes these techniques can sound a little bit woo-woo or like magic but Sarah shares the science behind the therapy as well as practical tips you can try to begin to tune back in with your body.

In this episode, Sarah shares how Somatic Experiencing helped her on her journey with anxiety, people-pleasing, and burnout, why working it’s important to work on both mind and body, the science behind somatic experiencing therapy, how trauma impacts our nervous system, the importance of creating small moments of safety for the nervous system that are felt, not mental, why you don’t need to justify how you feel, the reason certain breathwork techniques may not be working for you, why calm may not be what your body actually needs, physical symptoms of nervous system imbalance, and more.

I hope you enjoy this conversation and that the information Sarah shares will not only give you some new ideas but, more importantly, that you will be very validated in how you feel in your body. 

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach℠.

Three Clients Share Their Fibromyalgia Stories

Tami interviews three clients on the ways that they have found to improve their fibromyalgia symptoms over the last few months. You’ll hear how Petr, a self-proclaimed "King of Fibro", discovered just how much he didn't know. You'll also hear how Petr's Fibromyalgia Coach, Micky, helped him in ways his two previous health coaches couldn't. Julie shares how much her life has changed in the last year and a half, including how she no longer feels guilt and shame over her illness — and how being a coach keeps her accountable. Creating her own perfect life balance helps Viktoriia feel her best, plus a word of encouragement from Viktoriia to our Russian-speaking fibromyalgia community.

You’ll also hear from our commencement speaker, Amy Velasquez Rempel of The Integrative Women's Health Institute, as she shares her journey from pain and confusion to hope and purpose with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and endometriosis.

Listen to these interviews and be encouraged on your healing journey!

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/56.

As an eternal optimist, Tami likes to keep this podcast positive, often focusing on ways you can feel better with fibromyalgia. But you can't talk about fibromyalgia without exploring the darker side of things, like the grief many of us experience.

Grief affects all of us physically, emotionally, and energetically. Fibromyalgia can often seem like an endless taking away of things, from living in a body that doesn't function the way it used to, to the loss of our jobs, family, or friends who don’t understand. It’s natural to experience grief over the way life used to be.

Today Tami is happy to share a conversation she’s been looking forward to for months: her interview with grief coach Pat Sheveland, where they explore the intersection of grief and fibromyalgia. In this episode, Tami and Pat talk about how grief often shows up for those of us with fibromyalgia, Pat’s journey to grief coaching, the experience of writing four books, how grief affects us physically, the science of the grieving brain, why our fibromyalgia symptoms are amplified by grief, defining grief, the many different ways grief and loss show up in our lives, the grief of losing your life before fibromyalgia, the fallout that happens in various aspects of our lives when we have fibromyalgia, how to distinguish between sadness and grief, finding a safe space to talk about your grief, there is no timeline for grief, learning to coexist with grief, Pat’s recommendations for supporting yourself through grief, getting rid of the stigma of seeking help with managing grief, the benefits of working with a trained grief professional instead of relying on family or friends only, next steps for you if you’re ready for support with your grief, Pat’s beautiful message to you, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

With the sheer volume of information online, it can be challenging to know which sources are legitimate. Since ChatGPT’s launch in December 2022, we must be even more careful.

While it’s an incredibly useful tool for increasing efficiency for writing blog posts, generating book outlines, and more, the problem lies with the fact that it will create a response to whatever you prompt, regardless of the facts, potentially spreading misleading information.

Since many of us search for information about our health online, it’s crucial that we know that the sources we turn to are reliable. For today’s episode, Tami shares tips to help you understand who you can trust online. Tami talks about what you need to know about ChatGPT and information generated by AI, why adding the human element is critical, creative, and valuable ways ChatGPT is being used in different industries, how to figure out whether an information source is trustworthy, recognizing that the title of “doctor” doesn’t always equate to expert, website red flags, why it’s worth it to take a closer look at the underlying data and sources, tips on how to figure out which studies are valid, what you can learn by cross-referencing articles, being wary of content that’s overselling or over-generalized, building a list of trusted sources, how to use AI effectively, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro are all the rage right now. Originally marketed as drugs to help diabetics with insulin resistance, they were later discovered to help people lose weight.

With those possibilities, GLP-1 meds are positioned to revolutionize health in the US since about two-thirds of the population is either overweight or obese and at risk for conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

But there’s been another new discovery—GLP-1 medications also have anti-inflammatory properties. Several different studies have since shown that GLP-1 medications help to reduce inflammation in the liver, kidneys, heart, and even the brain (which is of particular interest to fibromyalgia patients).

Today, Tami is joined by rheumatologist Dr. Isabelle Amigues to talk about GLP-1 medications and how they can potentially help those of us with fibromyalgia. In this episode, Tami and Dr. Amigues discuss the unusual way Dr. Amigues is incorporating GLP-1 medications in her practice, what you need to know about GLP-1 medications, the anti-inflammatory effects of GLP-1 medications and the implications, the link between inflammation and adipose tissue, the potential impact of GLP-1 medications on aging-related complications and inflammatory conditions, GLP-1 medications as a tool to get you over the final hurdle to fibromyalgia remission, utlizing mindful eating to help you make better food choices, tapping into the virtuous cycle of weight loss, breaking the stigma and releasing the judgment around our weight, factors to consider before taking GLP-1 medication, who should avoid these medications, putting the horror stories of bad experiences and side effects into context, next steps if you’d like to consult with your doctor about taking a GLP-1 medication, why it’s crucial to work with a qualified specialist, the affordability of GLP-1 medications medications, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

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.

You're going along fine and then BOOM! Fibromyalgia flare! You try to figure out what pushed you over the edge this time and it all seems so minor.

But our mental, physical, and emotional capacity isn't defined by one thing. Instead, our capacity is more like a bucket. All the little — and big! — things go in the bucket and add up. If you're not careful, your bucket overflows and that's when you trigger a flare.

The Bucket Theory is a way of understanding your capacity so that you can make better choices that lead to less pain, more energy, and fewer flare ups.

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/49.

We don't love New Year's Resolutions, but it’s that time of year. A lot of people are making resolutions, like: I'm going to get in shape, I'm going to eat better, I'm going to get control over my finances. Well, the ideas and intentions are good, but resolutions don't really set you up for success. In this episode, Tami will teach you how to create the foundation that you need, the support that you need, and the structure that is needed in your life to allow change to happen, and to happen easily.

Key Points

• Why do so many of us fail at New Year’s Resolutions, even when we are desperate to see these positive changes in our lives?
• Goal setting is also a challenge, especially for those of us with fibromyalgia. Learn why even S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-oriented) are not enough to bring you success.
• Find out Tami’s super simple secret to make reaching your goals automatic.
• Set your life up in a way that it becomes easier to do the thing, than to not do the thing.

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.
• Resolution Evolution 2020 on Saturday, January 11th.
• Your world doesn’t revolve around your illness. It revolves around your healing. Stories of Hope and Healing is a graduation celebration of the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute. Join us on Saturday, January 18th at 1:00 p.m. PST to hear how each of our newest graduates have been able to improve their fibromyalgia symptoms at IFCIgraduation.com.
• Tami will be teaching LIVE, one class each month for the entire year. Her first workshop will be Gentle Goal Setting for Fibromyalgia, an expansion of what you're going to hear on today's episode. These classes will not be recorded, so we hope you can join us LIVE on Monday, January 13th at 3:00 p.m. Pacific time. Go to FibroWorkshop.com to RSVP, get the workbook, and get ready to make meaningful progress toward living a life you love.
• "Atomic Habits" by James Clear (affiliate link)

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach℠.

When it comes to goal setting, New Year’s resolutions can feel like an exciting and hopeful way to start fresh. The problem is, for most people, they’re too big and idealistic that they fall by the wayside by mid-January.

Especially when we’re living with a chronic condition like fibromyalgia, we have to get realistic about not only what we want to accomplish but the time and energy we have to put toward our goals. We have our lives to live, health issues to manage, families to care for, and more. When you jump onto a “go big or go home” goal, you’re not giving yourself the best chance for success.

Today, Tami is joined by Fitness Coach and Behavior Change Expert Kerstin Goldstein to talk about all the reasons New Year's resolutions aren't that helpful. She also shares fibro-friendly ways to set goals that you will actually accomplish. Kirsten and Tami hope that Kerstin’s story will inspire you to think outside the box about what’s possible for your fibromyalgia healing and that their tips will help you achieve your dreams like they have for Kerstin.

In this conversation, Tami and Kerstin discuss Kerstin's fibromyalgia diagnosis journey, her experience with the healthcare system in Dubai, how her fibromyalgia diagnosis changed her approach to health and wellness, making the transition to online work for better health management, the mental shift required to make lifestyle changes to support your health, taking a holistic approach to recovery, the importance of small steps, Kerstin’s experience of completing a hike to Everest Base Camp, the significance of mental preparation over physical readiness, dealing with plantar fasciitis, Kertin’s mental preparation strategies, finding the balance between rest and activity for those with chronic conditions, viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth, effective goal-setting strategies for those with fibromyalgia, why Kerstin dislikes traditional New Year's resolutions, the SMART framework for goal setting, building confidence through small goals, treating yourself with kindness when setting and pursuing goals, managing unexpected life events, how habits and goal setting work together to create lasting change, celebrating small wins, approaching change with a sense of joy and fun, the value of external support, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

As coaches, we get a lot of questions from people trying to understand their insurance coverage. From prior authorizations to deductibles, coinsurance, and patient assistance, many moving parts need to align to maximize our healthcare benefits.

To help gain some clarity around all things insurance, Tami is joined by Doctor of Pharmacy Dr. Chelsea Liebowitz. A pain patient herself, Dr. Chelsea also works for an insurance company making determinations on prior authorizations and helping with self-funded plans.

In this conversation, Dr. Chelsea and Tami discuss her pharmacy background, understanding the open enrollment period, defining common insurance terms such as deductible and copay, the relationship between your premium and your deductible, recognizing that the best plan really depends on how you utilize healthcare, differentiating between an HMO and a PPO and why a PPO is often better for someone with chronic illness, why insurance plans vary widely from one employer or individual to another, how to find out if your medications and treatments are covered when choosing your insurance, when a secondary insurance plan can be helpful, understanding drug tiers and how copay cards work, applying to a drug manufacturer for patient assistance, why you might need prior authorization for certain medications, getting insurance on the exchange, the benefits of working with an insurance broker, the prior authorization process, how you can increase your odds of having certain medications and procedures approved by your insurance company, Dr. Chelsea’s advice for reducing your headache woes, options to consider when insurance doesn’t cover your medication, and more.

While this discussion focuses on the US healthcare system, many of the ideas and concepts apply to other countries and healthcare options. If you’re confused and overwhelmed by all the insurance options, this episode is for you.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Today, Tami has another bonus episode for you!

Tami was recently interviewed by Meghan DeVito for the Kingdom Employee podcast. Once again, she’s sharing this conversation with you as a peek behind the curtain into an area of her life you normally don’t see.

In this conversation, Tami shares more about her spirituality and how her Christian beliefs impact her life, her business, and her work with clients.

Meghan and Tami discuss the role the faith and spirituality has to help people cope with chronic pain. Tami also shares some strategies for effectively communicating, delegating tasks, setting boundaries, and adapting lifestyles to help you manage your fibromyalgia symptoms.

If you’ve ever wondered about Tami’s beliefs and how they influence the type of work she does and how she built her business, this is a great episode for you to check out.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Over the last few weeks, we have received many messages asking if fibromyalgia increases the risk of developing COVID-19, the illness caused by SARS-CoV-2 (aka, "the coronavirus"). Tami has interviewed several doctors to get the facts, as best as we know them right now. This episode contains the information we know to be accurate as of the time of publishing.

Tami also covers things you can do to strengthen your immune system so your body is best equipped to fight off COVID-19.

Key Points

• Fibromyalgia itself doesn't increase your risk of COVID-19. However, fibromyalgia patients often have compromised immune systems which does increase your risk.
• Your best protection is to avoid exposure to the virus by staying home.
• Make sure your body and immune system are as healthy as possible to fight off infections.
• If you have autoimmune conditions, you want to be careful about how you strengthen your immune system.
• Focusing on the positive strengthens your immune system response.
• Be gentle with yourself. This is not the time to be beating yourself up.

Links & Resources

• Get free copies of Tami’s books here
• Visit FibroWorkshop.com to discover our monthly free FibroWorkshops taught LIVE by Tami.
• "Are You at Higher Risk for Coronavirus?" Dr. Lynn Webster. Pain News Network. 15 February 2020.
• The Painful Truth: What Chronic Pain Is Really Like and Why It Matters to Each of Us, Lynn Webster, MD on Amazon (affiliate Link)
• It Hurts Until You Die (film)
• Segerstrom, Suzanne C., et al. "Optimism is associated with mood, coping, and immune change in response to stress." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 74.6 (1998): 1646.

Other Episodes Mentioned

• Episode 32: Your World Revolves Around Your Healing, Not Your Illness

“If it’s in you, it’s for you.” - Katy Suik

With fibromyalgia, we can’t do things the way we used to. That can trigger a loss of purpose and identity. “Who am I when I can’t do this? Can I still contribute?”

While we tend to think of our purpose as a single thing that will make our lives perfect, the reality is much more expansive. Purpose is not external to you. It’s about tuning into yourself and aligning with what’s already in you. When you lean into who you are, what’s meant for you will find you.

Today Tami is joined by Certified Professional Coach Katy Suik to talk about uncovering your higher purpose. Katy believes we are all born with the seeds of purpose within us, and it's our job to nurture those seeds to help make the world a better place. In this episode, Tami and Katy talk about how Katy’s quest to find herself led to developing a career helping others overcome their limitations and unpacking their purpose, the gifts that come through our experiences, recognizing that purpose is multifaceted, the connection between identity and purpose, reclaiming your power utilizing Katy’s pebble in a pond model, the danger of putting too much emphasis on what you do versus who you are, the difference between egotism and self-love, what you can expect from Katy’s upcoming free Entrepreneurial Purpose & Prosperity Masterclass, why many of us get stuck in a stagnant place, the three pillars that will be covered in the masterclass, the power of seeing real-life examples of people living in their purpose, what to do if you feel like you’re made for something more, Tami’s Joy List activity, shutting down your inner critic, why it’s helpful to have a coach on the journey with you, Katy’s message for you, and more.

When we feel worthy and love ourselves in a celebratory way, we can bring so much wonderfulness to this world. Whatever the circumstances in your life, you get to have the life of your dreams.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

11 Things You Need For Your Fibromyalgia Healing Journey

After more than a decade of helping clients improve their fibromyalgia symptoms, Tami has learned what it really takes to get better — and it might not be what you think!

Yes, you do need effective fibromyalgia treatment, a fibromyalgia specialist to guide you, and a good doctor who treats you with respect and compassion. However, these aren't usually the same person!

Tami has also identified nine additional things that are just as critical on your journey. Listen in to learn what Tami has found to be key in all of her client fibromyalgia healing stories — and key to her own fibromyalgia remission.

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/43.

Everyone can get better.

Even in remission, Tami feels that there is always something we can do to feel better on our fibromyalgia journey. And because we have to focus on taking care of ourselves, in many ways, we can get to a place where we feel better than the average person.

Tami is excited to share this interview with Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, Julie Schiffman, where she shares her story of going from thinking she was dying to feeling healthier than ever.

In this episode, Julie talks about her long health journey and years of painful symptoms, her diagnosis with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome over 20 years ago, the mental toll of chronic pain, how to deal with guilt, frustration, and uncertainty around a vague diagnosis, Julie’s medication rollercoaster, finding hope for living a great life with fibromyalgia, why becoming a coach brought Julie so much healing, the confidence that comes with knowing you can control your symptoms, why Julie decided to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® after completing the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® program, what it looks like to do the best we can with the bodies we have, balancing helping others with taking care of yourself, the deep meaning Julie has found in her life since becoming a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, what it would look like to work with Julie as your coach, and more.

I hope you enjoy this conversation with Julie and that it sparks new ideas and brings you encouragement and inspiration.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Tami is so excited to bring you this conversation with her friend and personal physician, Dr. Kaley Bourgeois. In this episode, Tami and Dr. Bourgeois chat about what a Naturopathic Physician is and how it’s different from a regular physician, what functional medicine is and how it’s different from conventional medicine, how Dr. Bourgeois’ mother’s lack of comfort with doctors led to an early passion for the work she does now, Dr. Bourgeois’ approach to working with clients who have fibromyalgia or other chronic illnesses, what IV therapy is and how glutathione is Dr. Bourgeois’ “most favorite thing ever”, what medical ozone therapy is and how it differs from cortisone injections, things she frequently sees in her clients that often get missed by other doctors, Dr. Bourgeois’ own journey with chronic pain, what Dr. Bourgeois wants you to know about working with multiple doctors, Dr. Bourgeois’ advice for people who feel hesitant to go to a new doctor for fear of repeating past experiences with doctors who weren’t a good fit, Dr. Bourgeois’ suggested resources for where to do your own research, what being in fibromyalgia remission actually means, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach℠.

EFT — the Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as tapping — has long been recognized as a powerful tool for reducing pain, stress, and emotional trauma. A 2020 study showed that a one-hour group EFT session reduced cortisol production by 43%. EFT can also be an effective pain management strategy that can be used alongside other medications and therapies with no side effects.

Since fibromyalgia is a condition known to keep patients stuck in a state of fight-or-flight, it makes sense to explore tools that can help reduce this overactive fight-or-flight stress response.

Listen in as Tami interviews Lauren Fonvielle, EFT Practitioner and coach, and hear how you can add EFT as a powerful tool in your fibromyalgia toolbox. Be sure to listen through to the end of this episode to hear Lauren's guided "tap-along" session that you can try for yourself!

Lauren has generously offered a complimentary 30 minute session to listeners of this podcast. For Lauren's scheduling link, more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/65.

In this episode, Tami talks about the subtle difference between focusing on your fibromyalgia and focusing on your healing. In your brain, you have a reticular activating system (RAS). Your RAS is the gatekeeper for information entering your brain and tells you what you should pay attention to. When you keep thinking of all the ways your fibromyalgia is impeding your life, all you see are more ways fibromyalgia is impeding your life. If you can make the mental shift to focus on ways you can heal, your RAS will start seeing more opportunities to feel better.

Key Points

• Fibromyalgia is simply where we’re starting. It’s where we are right now, but that’s not what the focus is. The focus is on where we're going: healing.
• What we focus on is going to grow and be pulled into our lives. 
• There's a very big difference between thinking, “I can't because of my illness” and “I’m choosing not to so that I can feel my best tomorrow.”
• It's less about what you can't do and more about what you can do. It's about moving you on that journey towards feeling better

Links & Resources

• Get free copies of Tami’s books here
• Visit FibroWorkshop.com to discover this month's free FibroWorkshop taught LIVE by Tami.
• The Monkey Business Illusion video
• How To Make Stress Your Friend, Kelly McGonigal, TEDGlobal 2013
• Jenni Grover (ChronicBabe): How to be Resilient by Being Creative, Invisible Not Broken, Chronic Illness Podcast Network

• Episode 2, Your Body Isn't The Enemy
• Episode 3, How Fibromyalgia Became My Friend
• Episode 9, The Fine Art of Self-Care
• Episode 13, How To Add More Joy To Your Life
• Episode 24, Practicing Gratitude with Fibromyalgia
• Episode 29, Fall In Love With Your Fibromyalgia Body with Janet Farnsworth
• Episode 31, Creative Resilience with ChronicBabe, Jenni Grover

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

“Sometimes taking care of yourself means not doing all the things.”

When you have chronic pain, it’s easy for self-care to become a job where you have to do all of these things, or else you haven't taken care of yourself. But self-care should nourish you and fill your cup; it shouldn’t feel like a burden.

Healing requires us to develop a toolbox of techniques that work for our individual needs, and one of the biggest game-changers on the journey to getting better is getting in tune with the right energy for approaching our healing.

Today, Tami is joined by Dr. Andrea Moore to explore how self-care can turn into self-sabotage and why focusing too much on eliminating pain can, in fact, amplify it. Dr. Andrea has her own chronic pain story, and she now helps those suffering from chronic pain find harmony and safety within their bodies. If you find yourself constantly chasing new wellness trends or ticking off an endless list of self-care rituals, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, Tami and Dr. Andrea discuss Dr. Andrea’s chronic pain story and journey to finding relief, potential pitfalls of self-care and healing practices, the frantic energy that can come with pursuing treatment after treatment, finding balance when pursuing wellness, balancing self-care and living life, recognizing that self-care should feel nourishing and not burdensome, the vicious cycle of pain, physiological changes that happen when you experience chronic pain, the power of getting help, the concepts of body harmony and respect, redefining feeling safe in your body, accepting the unpredictability of life, the symbolism of cherry blossoms and Tami’s connection to them as a symbol, our tendency to repress and judge emotions, understanding what nervous system regulation really means, creating a balanced approach to emotional healing work, getting better at doing hard things, allowing yourself to take a step back and accept your current reality, building your capacity for intense emotions, the role of self-compassion in taking accountability, playfully engaging with your emotions, building trust and connection with your body, why we need individualized self-care strategies, limitation sof group work and when one-on-one time is needed, Dr. Andrea’s invitation to take a moment to pause and self-reflect, and more.

If you find yourself stressing that you can't do everything you need to do instead of being excited about living your life, that’s a good sign that it's time to seek support.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

What would it feel like to have to have a schedule that supported your body feeling great? Even better, what would it look like if your calendar could help you get better?

You may think this sounds impossible. When Tami was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia, she discovered she could really only leave the house once a week and continue to feel her best. She felt like a slave to her calendar and prisoner in her own body. However, learning to protect her body’s healing time gave Tami more control over her health and symptoms. This helped her to have more stable and predictable good days and energy.

In this episode, Tami shares the Dream Week process she developed over a decade ago to help her body heal. The Dream Week Planner worksheets are included in this episode's show notes for you to download and use along with Tami as she walks you through designing your very own Dream Week.

For more information, the Dream Week Planner worksheets, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/44.

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 need that extra support, like IEP programs and the 504 plan.
• Parents, you know your child better than anyone else. Pay attention, and observe what they are going through. You have to dig deep and be an advocate for them.
• The sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can find solutions.

About Jara Halfen

Do you have an adolescent at home who is newly diagnosed with Juvenile Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue? Perhaps you have a teen who just seems to have unidentifiable pain and extreme fatigue but hasn’t been diagnosed with anything specific? If you need advice on how to move forward, consider scheduling a complimentary coaching session with Jara Halfen. 

Jara is a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach who partners with adolescents and their families to learn ways to cope with and manage Juvenile Fibromyalgia. A mother of two teenagers, Jara learned first-hand about living with fibromyalgia when her daughter was diagnosed at the age of 14. Through this journey, Jara has gained understanding of what fibromyalgia is, what its impact is on her daughter and the entire family, and what it’s like to be a caregiver.

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.
• If you are trying to understand the ins and outs of managing Juvenile Fibromyalgia and want to consider coaching for you or someone you care about, you can contact Jara at jarahalfen.com.
• What Is an IEP? Everything You Need to Know About IDEA, IEPs, and 504 Plans. ADDitude Magazine. 24 Nov 2019.
• Dr. Melissa Congdon at MelissaCongdonMD.com and in Episode 16.
• What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia, by Dr. Paul St. Amand (the guaifenesin protocol) https://amzn.to/1LiJLHo (Affiliate link)
• EpicGenetics FM/a Test (fibromyalgia blood test) 

The experience of chronic pain can bring you to your knees. When our suffering is acute and unceasing, we often start asking questions that medicine and science can’t answer. Tami gently wades into these waters with us, offering viewpoints from a range of faith perspectives. Perhaps we can find a little solace in these true stories. Perhaps we can begin to develop and share a more robust theology of suffering and prayer.

Some Unsettling Questions

• What did I do to deserve this?
• Why hasn’t God healed me? Did I not pray right or believe hard enough?
• What happens when my body won’t allow me to observe a fast or practice my faith the same way others do?
• What do you do when your faith family actually makes matters worse?

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.
• Finding Your Faith Within Fibromyalgia is an ebook by Kate Straus, based on her experiences as an Orthodox Jew. In it, she shares the wisdom she gained from managing her fibromyalgia while practicing her faith with Orthodoxy, and some of the modifications she needed to make in order to do so. (For instance, when you have to take medication with food, and it's a fasting holiday, how do you do that?)

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach℠.

Join our 10-Day FREE Fibromyalgia Wellness Summit January 20-31 — Register by December 31st for exclusive bonuses!

What is the Fibromyalgia Wellness Summit? 
A summit is like an online conference. The Fibromyalgia Wellness Summit will provide in 10 days what you would learn in five months on the Fibromyalgia Podcast!

What makes this summit different?
Unlike typical summits, this event features real people with fibromyalgia sharing their proven methods for improvement. With just one speaker per day, delivered via a private podcast, it's designed to be fibro-friendly, easy to access, and transformational.

Register for FREE at FibroWellnessSummit.com by December 31st and receive our exclusive action guide for VIPs. 

For extra perks, sign up as a VIP for $147. The VIP all-access pass offers exclusive perks like a live class with Tami, private film screening and Q&A with the Director, plus a backstage pass to our VIP Green Room — a private Facebook group with our speakers and other VIP guests. Register as a VIP by December 31st and join our VIP Green Room a week early for extra support and community.

Don't miss this opportunity to kickstart your wellness journey in 2025!

Register at FibroWellnessSummit.com.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

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 because we all have way too much to do. What we really need is to do more BE-ing. We need to do more relaxing into life and becoming the person who has the life that we want to have.
• It is totally possible to have a life you love, even with fibromyalgia.

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.
• Joy List Worksheet

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

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 were going to climb Mount Everest, your first steps would probably be researching: HOW does a person climb Mount Everest? You would probably also start looking for somebody that had already done it, so that you could learn from them.
• A Fibromyalgia Coach is going to help you climb that fibromyalgia mountain, helping you get the very best results possible in the shortest amount of time possible.

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.
• For additional details on choosing the best coach for you, check out chapter 8 “Would Working with a Coach be Helpful” in Tami’s book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain. Download a FREE copy at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com.
• "8 Tips for Choosing a Fibromyalgia Health Coach", MyRestoredHealth.com

Welcome to episode 02 of our special Be a Coach Series. In this series, I answer questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®. I cover all the basics… the who, what, when, where, why, and even the how.

Don’t understand what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Adviser is? No problem. Just pop on over to episode one of the series because that is exactly what we covered in that episode.

In this episode, I’m covering the who. Who makes a good coach? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®? And, how do you know which one you might be?

I also cover what I look for in the applications I accept into the training program and what you need and don’t need to join us a become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Advisor yourself.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

Don't like waiting? Register now to have the complete 'Be A Coach' series, along with several bonus episodes, delivered straight to your favorite podcast app.  Use this link to sign up for FREE.

Interested in hearing from our alumni about their journey in our courses? Register to receive our complimentary 'Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope' collection, automatically delivered to your favorite podcast app. Use this link to subscribe.

Join our next Virtual Open House and learn about our specialized training programs. Understand the difference between our Coach and Advisor paths, explore tuition options, and discover our fibro-friendly class structure. Click here to register or watch the replay.

To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

• We need to protect our own energy, emotions, and thoughts., especially if we are home alone or with others who are anxious and stressed.
• It’s okay if you feel overwhelmed. It’s okay if you are exhausted and tired and don't know how to handle everything.
• Give yourself extra grace and compassion right now. Don't feel like you have to do all the things.
• You do not have to use this time in any particular way. There is no right or wrong way to go through a pandemic.
• Everything you used to be committed to has stopped. It's an amazing opportunity to re-evaluate where you want to be spending your time and your energy.
• The Pause button in life has been pressed and we get to decide what happens when we hit Play.
• Practice telling yourself, “It's okay, you're doing your best.

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 free copies of Tami’s books here
• Visit FibroWorkshop.com to discover our monthly free FibroWorkshops taught LIVE by Tami.

Other Episodes Mentioned

• Episode 32: Your World Revolves Around Your Healing, Not Your Illness

Welcome to episode 02 of our special Be a Coach Series. In this series, I answer questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®. I cover all the basics… the who, what, when, where, why, and even the how.

Don’t understand what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Adviser is? No problem. Just pop on over to episode one of the series because that is exactly what we covered in that episode.

In this episode, I’m covering the who. Who makes a good coach? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®? And, how do you know which one you might be?

I also cover what I look for in the applications I accept into the training program and what you need and don’t need to join us a become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Advisor yourself.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

“You can only truly heal once you’ve accepted what's going on.” - Dr. Isabelle Amigues

When you’re able to reflect on your fibromyalgia as a teacher, you stop fighting your body and put yourself in the best position to heal. Tami often describes fibromyalgia as the biggest gift life has given her. It’s a sentiment that can be difficult to understand when you’re struggling with getting through each day, but there are things you can do to move forward on your fibromyalgia healing journey.

For too many of us, when we received our fibromyalgia diagnosis, the doctor simply gave us the news and sent us on our way. What is omitted in that process is the fact that several rheumatological conditions can occur alongside fibromyalgia, and by treating those, you may experience significant relief.

If you’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and your treatment is not working well, that’s a sign that something else may be going on.

Today, Tami is joined by rheumatologist Dr. Isabelle Amigues to talk about her journey from doctor to patient and why it’s crucial to have the correct diagnosis. In this episode, Tami and Dr. Isabelle discuss Dr. Isabelle’s struggle with early parenthood and recognition she was feeling sad and unfulfilled in her life, her stage three breast cancer diagnosis and how it changed her approach to medicine, reframing cancer as a gift that’s here to teach her something, why her diagnosis taught her to live with meaning and intention, the self-love that came out of Dr. Isabelle’s cancer journey, looking at fibromyalgia as a teacher and why Tami believes it’s the biggest gift life has given her, Dr. Isabelle’s appreciation for her patients and why it’s important to her to empower them, why she created a holistic practice, common conditions associated with fibromyalgia, symptoms that suggest something else may be happening in addition to your fibromyalgia, challenges patients face when seeking a proper diagnosis, why it’s often a good idea to have at least one visit with a rheumatologist, Dr. Isabelle’s message for you, finding the right doctor for you, a doctor’s role as a coach, listening to what your body needs, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Exercise is one of the foundational pillars of health, but with fibromyalgia, we have extra sensitive bodies and nervous systems, and we need to be gentle. That means finding the right exercise to meet our needs can be tricky.

Today, Tami is excited to introduce you to a tool helping her feel even better and that she’s recently been obsessed with: a T-Zone Vibration machine. These machines use whole body vibration, a modality used for decades to increase muscle strength, bone density, and more. In fact, several studies have shown the benefits of whole body vibration for improving fibromyalgia symptoms.

To explore this further and share the results of a small informal study with our students and coaches, Tami is joined by Sarah Aboody, the Owner and General Manager of T-Zone Vibration. In this conversation, Sarah and Tami discuss how whole body vibration works and its uses for improving muscle strength, bone density, flexibility, mobility, and circulation, why oscillating vibration works best for fibromyalgia, benefits and uses of whole body vibration, the results of the informal study on the use of the T-Zone Vibration with Tami and some of our students and coaches, exercise as a pillar of health and how the T-Zone Vibration machine can help to build the habit, guidance for optimizing the use of the machine, why pain and fatigue might temporarily increase after whole body vibration, adapting whole body vibration for different needs, benefits of T-Zone Vibration machines, comparison of the smaller and larger vibration machines, special offers if you want to try a T-Zone Vibration machine, guidelines for getting started with whole body vibration, important considerations and precautions for individuals for whom whole body vibration may not be suitable, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

When we have an interest or a passion, but we're not pursuing it, we don't feel good.

Creativity is a vital part of wellness; for many people, it helps them manage their illness and feel better. No matter how you’re feeling, it’s important to know that staying creative and vibrant is possible.

Today, Tami welcomes Wellness Coach Jenni Grover to talk about how you can do more crafting, making, and creating. Jenni has a passion for making sure that people get to keep being themselves and expressing themselves through their creativity while also taking good care of their bodies.

In this conversation, Tami and Jenni discuss why Jenni created her ChronicBabe project, her passion for helping people feel better despite chronic illness, why she made the shift to being a wellness coach, the connection between physical and mental health and creativity, what it has been like for Jenni to adapt her life to support her love for writing without sacrificing her health, why we need to let ourselves evolve to meet our current circumstances, embracing a growth mindset, the vast difference it makes when we surround ourselves with supportive individuals from friends and family to a coach, how to getting started with accessible crafts, getting out of the comparison trap, pacing strategies and making sure you’re honoring them, tips for staying creative on low-energy days, how timers help with preventing burnout and maintaining productivity, balancing urgency and context, being intentional about taking breaks and enlisting the help of others, the empowering feeling of making conscious choices, two pacing tools Jenni loves, practical ways to get back to making things again, taking care of your brain which is your most important tool, finding balance in self-care, finding beauty in everyday life and how it can inspire creativity, what it’s like to work with Jenni as a wellness coach, and more.

Even if you're not a crafter or a maker, Tami and Jenni’s conversation can apply to any project and fibro life in general.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Brain fog can be one of the most difficult fibromyalgia symptoms to treat. Many doctors don't know what to do with our brain fog and act as if it will take care of itself once our pain and fatigue is managed. However, there are many tips, tricks, and tools that you can use to set up your life so that brain fog has a smaller impact.

In this episode, Tami shares her top ten brain fog tips and the tools she uses every day to stay on top of her business and personal life. All ten of these tips you can implement right now, today. No prescription or doctor required!

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/46.

Welcome to episode 02 of our special Be a Coach Series. In this series, I answer questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®. I cover all the basics… the who, what, when, where, why, and even the how.

Don’t understand what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Adviser is? No problem. Just pop on over to episode one of the series because that is exactly what we covered in that episode.

In this episode, I’m covering the who. Who makes a good coach? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®? And, how do you know which one you might be?

I also cover what I look for in the applications I accept into the training program and what you need and don’t need to join us a become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Advisor yourself.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

Don't like waiting? Register now to have the complete 'Be A Coach' series, along with several bonus episodes, delivered straight to your favorite podcast app.  Use this link to sign up for FREE.

Interested in hearing from our alumni about their journey in our courses? Register to receive our complimentary 'Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope' collection, automatically delivered to your favorite podcast app. Use this link to subscribe.

Join our next Virtual Open House and learn about our specialized training programs. Understand the difference between our Coach and Advisor paths, explore tuition options, and discover our fibro-friendly class structure. Click here to register or watch the replay.

To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

“One of my core beliefs is that something good can come out of everything.” - Tami Stackelhouse

So much of life is uncertain, and as a chronic pain patient, there’s no shortage of things to stress you out and make you worried. From finding out that the medication you need is out of stock to facing the threat of a layoff or having a health scare, there's bound to be a time in your life when you feel out of control or like you’re at the mercy of others. So, what do we do when faced with those feelings? 

First, Tami wants you to know these feelings are normal. We see you and feel you and understand precisely how that feels. Secondly, Tami wants you to recognize that we’re often more understanding with those we love than with ourselves. Don’t deny your body the opportunity to process those emotions so you can move on.

Today, Tami shares strategies you can use in uncertain times to find the strength and support you need. She’s discussing why we should normalize feeling anxious about the inevitable uncertainties in life, the importance of processing emotions rather than suppressing them, the biological benefits of crying, how our beliefs about stress influence how stress affects our bodies, self-compassion and processing your feelings, the various forms of grief and why it’s not limited to situations involving death, coming to terms with the fact that we cannot fix everything, giving yourself space to process your emotions, what unapologetic self-care looks like, focusing on foundational self-care practices, seeking mental health support through counseling, meditation, and community, finding joy amidst the struggles, how understanding your Fibromyalgia Wellness Style℠ can help you to better manage your fibro, the role of a coach in navigating stress and uncertainties, holding onto hope as a guiding light during difficult times, borrowing hope from others who have overcome similar struggles, finding a supportive community to navigate challenges together, setting boundaries for personal well-being, navigating health insurance complexities, ableism and its impact on those with chronic illnesses, becoming an advocate for yourself in navigating healthcare systems, why educating yourself about fibromyalgia is crucial, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Fibromyalgia can feel like an endless taking away of things. Whether you’re newly diagnosed and struggling to find your way, or you think you have it all figured out, boom, life happens.

We’ve all had hopes and dreams that ultimately died or were taken away. Living your best life doesn’t mean avoiding anything terrible happening - that's impossible. Instead, the key is knowing how to take care of yourself when life implodes.

For this episode, Tami interviewed Dr. Ginevra Liptan, fibromyalgia specialist and author of The Fibro Manual and the Fibro Food Formula. While in medical school, Dr. Ginevra was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and has since devoted her career to helping other fibro patients. With all her expertise, it’s easy to assume her fibro would be permanently under control, but none of us are immune from life’s ups and downs. In this conversation, Tami and Dr. Ginevra discuss how Dr. Ginevra’s life fell apart during the pandemic, dealing with the worst fibro flare since she first got sick, the power of reconnecting with your deeper purpose, Dr. Ginevra’s drive to help people with fibromyalgia, giving yourself the grace to slowly build the pattern of accomplishing things, figuring out who you are after your diagnosis, finding meaning and direction from the pain, how Frida Kahlo has inspired Dr. Ginevra, why therapy was life-changing after her divorce, how to separate your vision from your purpose, what it was like for Dr. Ginevra to lose the Freedom Center so close to getting her divorce, the struggle to find a new identity after a life implosion, why Dr. Ginevra doesn’t identify with the typical Western medical doctor-patient dynamic, the terrible experience Dr. Ginevra had when taking her son to the doctor to investigate potential fibro symptoms, her work to help other doctors improve their standard of care for fibro patients, how you can help your doctor help you, why so many primary care doctors are burned out, the magic combination of a fibromyalgia health coach with a fibromyalgia doctor, Dr. Ginevra’s message for anyone dealign with a life implosion, and more.

If you're struggling on your fibro journey, Tami hopes today's interview will help you feel less alone. Be kind to yourself, take advantage of every available resource, and take small steps toward your goals. Brighter days are possible, and there can be a silver lining to the clouds you face.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Everyone with fibromyalgia understands how challenging it can be to explain the invisible pain and fatigue that comes with it. Despite affecting millions of people, there’s still a lack of understanding and awareness about fibromyalgia. That's where the documentary "Invisible” comes in.

Through personal stories and expert interviews, "Invisible" explores the impact of fibromyalgia on people's lives and the challenges caused by the lack of understanding and research. For today’s episode, filmmaker Nick Demos joins Tami to discuss his feature documentary on fibromyalgia, Invisible. Nick and Tami have been waiting to do this interview ever since they began working on the film eight years ago. Not wanting to give away the ending before people could watch, a lot had to be kept secret during the production process. Now, they finally get to talk about it publicly.

In this conversation, Nick and Tami talk about how Nick became involved with the making of Invisible, its evolution into a documentary about the fibromyalgia community, challenges with finding men when casting the film, how the perception of fibro as a woman’s disease has contributed to the lack of research and understanding, the difficulty balancing creating a piece of art with making a film that would educate and inspire action, Nick’s on-camera life-changing diagnosis, the unfairness of being discriminated against for something outside your control, why this film is vital to the fibro community, Tami’s experience being a part of the film, why it was especially tricky to visually explore stories about an invisible illness, why community is essential, why Tami and Nick consider some aspects of fibromyalgia as a gift, what most surprised Nick while making the film, the truth behind the lack of research on fibromyalgia, upcoming premiere events, how Nick manages his fibromyalgia, Nick’s message for you, and more.

Invisible is the film that the fibro community has wanted and needed, and we know you’ll love it.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

"I realized I was treating my body as if it were a stubborn donkey!" What if instead, by treating your body with kindness and respect, you would actually start feeling better? Tami shares how shifting your mindset and your relationship with your body is the first critical key to living the fibro life you love.

Key Points

• Do you feel like your body is a prison, and you are trapped inside?
• Do you say things like, “Can’t I just get a new body?”
• What if you and your body were actually on the same team, working together to break free of the fibromyalgia prison of pain?

Links & Resources

• FibromyalgiaPodcast.com is the digital companion to this audio magazine, where you can find full show notes, 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 TakeBackYourLifeBook.com.
• Blog Post: “First Commandment of Healing: Don’t be an Ass. Honor Your Body.”
• Blog Post: “Honoring Your Body: Getting to Know YOU”
• Blog Post: “Honoring Your Body: Practical Advice, Part 1”
• Blog Post: “Honoring Your Body: Practical Advice, Part 2”
• Blog Post: “Ask the Coach: Why Don’t I Take Care of Myself?”

Movement is not a way to pay for what you’ve eaten or shrink your body. It’s a way to care for your body and feel how you want to feel in it. If we reframe our thinking, moving away from focusing on what we want our bodies to look like and toward what we want them to do, it becomes easier to treat ourselves with kindness and respect.

You can’t control your health just by eating a certain way and exercising. There’s so much more to overall health, and you can’t measure it on your bathroom scale. Instead, by setting goals that are meaningful to your life and experiences, like improving your sleep or increasing your mobility, you can shift focus to where it matters most and will have the biggest positive impact on your life.

Today, Tami is joined by size-inclusive fitness specialist Kim Hagle to talk about diet culture and movement as self-care. Kim was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia just six months ago, and her work and fitness routine has had to shift as a result. If you’ve ever felt hesitant to exercise because of the pain or you feel like your self-image is holding you back, this one is for you.

In this conversation, Tami and Kim discuss Kim’s journey to becoming a size-inclusive fitness specialist, her recent fibromyalgia diagnosis, how her symptoms impacted her physical activity and mental health, the importance of rest and listening to your body's needs, conquering the fears of weight gain, muscle loss, and pain from exercising, Kim’s “all or something” approach to movement, changing how we think about exercise, recognizing movement as a form of self-care, honoring where your body is today, shifting body image and finding self-acceptance, practicing gratitude for your body, how diet culture impacts our beliefs, recognizing that we can’t measure health on the bathroom scale, personal responsibiltiy in health, creating your own definition of health, measuring health improvements based on outcomes that matter to you, practical steps to define your health goals and take small actions to improve your health, benefits of working with a coach, when to work with a physical therapist, the importance of self-compassion, embracing a slower pace, and more.

You are worthy of feeling good and being treated with kindness and respect, especially by yourself. It starts by meeting yourself where you're at, being compassionate, and taking one step at a time.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Kids are curious, and they’ll ask anything and everything about what’s different about you.

Today Tami is sharing a fabulous resource that will help you explain fibromyalgia to the little ones in your life. After leaving an office job of twenty years, Melissa started a new career working with young children. While working with little kids, they inevitably noticed the signs of her pain and would keep asking all these different questions. Recognizing that this wasn’t a unique situation, Melissa was inspired to create something that could help people better explain what they’re going through in a way that kids can understand. From there, her book, Ravyn’s Doll, was born.

In this episode, Melissa and Tami talk about the process from idea to publication of Melissa’s book, Ravyn’s Doll, the story that’s told in the book, the significant impact Melissa saw in her school district, which age group will get the most from reading Ravyn’s Doll, how the book has helped children and family members connect with their loved ones who are struggling with fibromyalgia, ways to introduce the book to kids at different ages, diving deeper into invisible illnesses and symptoms with older kids, supporting resources to help you get started with these discussions, paper doll lessons for younger kids, why it was important to Melissa to create the Spanish edition of Ravyn’s Doll, how you can purchase copies of Ravyn’s Doll, and more.

Ravyn’s Doll has been a fantastic tool for many people in helping their loved ones better understand them. Both Tami and Melissa have heard many stories from friends and clients about the huge difference this book has made. We hope that you will share these resources with the people in your life who have little ones, whether that’s your relatives, your students, or your pediatrician’s office; it’s essential to get these out into the world.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

“What do you do if you notice fibromyalgia symptoms in a family member?”

A few weeks ago, one of the students in our Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® training class raised this question, and Tami hears variations of it all the time. Whether it’s your kid, sister, mom, or another relative, figuring out how best to handle the situation can be difficult.

A big part of answering this lies in the knowledge that fibromyalgia has a genetic component. If you have fibromyalgia, your first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) are eight times more likely to develop fibromyalgia. The other part is recognizing that treating acute injuries quickly and well is crucial to preventing chronic pain. Considering these factors, if you see something happen to your close relative, you’d want to bring awareness to the risks so they can treat the situation immediately and increase their chances of having the best possible outcome.

Today, Tami explores how to recognize and address fibromyalgia symptoms in family members and what you can do to support loved ones in these situations. In this episode, Tami shares the genetic risks associated with fibromyalgia, the importance of early treatment for injuries to prevent chronic pain, and potential fibromyalgia development, why we need to challenge the notion that discussing fibromyalgia symptoms could "plant a seed" in loved ones' minds, how being aware of genetic predispositions should influence lifestyle choices, the stigma associated with fibromyalgia, the need to openly address risk factors, treating injuries and symptoms promptly to mitigate long-term pain issues, five practical tips for supporting family members showing fibromyalgia symptoms, the role of lifestyle choices in risk management, the MTHFR gene mutation and its implications for fibromyalgia symptoms, the necessity of quality sleep for preventing fibromyalgia symptoms, why maintaining a protein-rich diet supports fibromyalgia management, understanding your energy levels and how to pace yourself, why it’s essential to seek prompt treatment for early signs of fibromyalgia, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

“How do you do it all?”

This question came up during one of Tami’s Ask Me Anything sessions during our annual alumni retreat, and it was so good that she decided to bring it to the podcast.

Before we get into the details, the short answer is Tami doesn’t do it all! At first glance, it’s easy to compare your life to what you see others doing. The problem with that is we tend to forget that we’re only seeing their highlight reel. You never know everything that’s going on behind the scenes at the deep level that you know your own life. On top of that, Tami’s fibromyalgia has been in remission for years, and it took a lot of work to get there. It doesn’t make sense to compare your everyday fibro life with that.

With that context in mind, in this episode, Tami shares how she chooses where to focus her energy and what to prioritize. She’s discussing the importance of making choices to prioritize the things that move you forward, how I learned to be intentional about choosing what to do, what it means to say no to say yes, the challenges of choosing between two good options, how to add more joy into your life, recognizing that you need to choose one habit to build at a time, why it’s worth it to prioritize improving your sleep quality, delegating tasks that are not in your zone of genius, offloading tasks in your personal life, how you can reduce your load with minimal resources, embracing imperfections in life, seeking support from others to reach your goals, the difference between talking to a coach versus a friend, finding the right professional help, and more.

As you continue to move forward into the life that you want to have, don’t be afraid to take a step back. Sometimes, that’s precisely what you need.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Welcome to episode 02 of our special Be a Coach Series. In this series, I answer questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®. I cover all the basics… the who, what, when, where, why, and even the how.

Don’t understand what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Adviser is? No problem. Just pop on over to episode one of the series because that is exactly what we covered in that episode.

In this episode, I’m covering the who. Who makes a good coach? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®? And, how do you know which one you might be?

I also cover what I look for in the applications I accept into the training program and what you need and don’t need to join us a become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Advisor yourself.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

When you're diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it can be a huge hit to your confidence. You may have trouble doing many of the things that have defined you: career, hobbies, friends.

In addition, let's not forget the unpredictable nature of fibromyalgia! It can be difficult to make plans because you never know if you're going to have a good day or a bad day. When you do make plans, you may have to cancel -- another hit to your confidence.

But it doesn't have to be this way. You can become more confident, knowing that whatever happens, you have the tools and knowledge needed to cut your fibro flares short and get back to feeling your best.

In this Ask the Coach episode, Tami answers the foundational question, "How Can I Rebuild My Confidence?" and gives three tips for how you can reclaim your confidence in your fibromyalgia body.

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/60.

As a master Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, author, and fibro podcaster, the questions I’m asked more than any others are:

How do I get better?

How do I improve my Fibromyalgia so I can get back to living the life I want to live?

While those sound like simple questions, they do not have simple answers. We all have similar symptoms, what helps you feel better may not be the thing that helps me feel better. We all have to find our own magic formula for what makes us feel best.

I know from personal experience just how overwhelming it can be to find that formula on your own. That’s why I created a training program in 2015 that would teach people just like you how to improve their own Fibromyalgia, and how to help others do the same.

In this first episode of a special series where I’ll be answering a lot of questions I get about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and about becoming a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, I want to start super basic.

We’re going over what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® is, how that’s different from a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®, why you should consider the Advisor class if you’re a patient who just wants to feel better, who else the Advisor class is perfect for, what the certification aspect really means, the staggering statistics on how many participants see significant improvements in their symptoms by the end of the Advisor class.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

There’s so much hope that comes from hearing the healing stories of other people on the fibromyalgia journey. Often, that’s where we first recognize that a better future is possible for us.

Today in our fifth installment of Stories of Hope and Healing, we’re sharing the inspiring stories of four recent graduates of the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® program.

During these conversations, you’ll hear Tami and the graduates refer to their Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score (FIQ), which measures the impact of fibromyalgia symptoms on a scale of zero to 100, with lower scores referring to milder symptoms.

When this tool was created, the average fibro patient’s score was around 58. In future studies, researchers found that the three FDA-approved fibro medications typically gave about 20% improvement, acceptance and commitment therapy showed around 27% improvement, and general health coaching brought around 35% improvement after a year.

On average, our students improve their scores by about 50%. For this cohort of graduates, the average improvement after our 3-month program was 62%, and in the individual interviews, you’ll hear each person's journey.

In this episode, our graduates share how they’ve improved their fibromyalgia over the last few months, the considerable role mental health plays in their healing journey, why even coaches need coaches, a game-changing supplement to transform your sleep, the significant shift that comes from slowing down and being more intentional, why it’s necessary to dig deeper to figure out if all your symptoms are from fibromyalgia, the key insights they found during the program, and more.

We hope this episode inspires you, encourages you, and simply shows you that it is possible to feel better than you do right now.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

“Whenever there's a lot of interest and dollars put into fibromyalgia research, patients only stand to benefit.” - Dr. Ginevra Liptan

During the pandemic, a potentially game-changing research article showed us that the immune system is involved in creating fibromyalgia pain. The results of this study were remarkable and began to address one of the most common questions about fibromyalgia - whether it is an autoimmune condition. It’s a huge question and an important one for us to keep asking because, at the end of the day, we need more research.

For this episode, Tami interviews Dr. Ginevra Liptan, fibromyalgia specialist and author of The Fibro Manual and The Fibro Food Formula. Tami and Dr. Ginevra discuss the game-changing mouse antibody study that showed the involvement of the immune system in fibromyalgia pain and the potential autoimmune component, how the study could potentially change the treatment approach for fibromyalgia, why Dr. Ginevra is hopeful for significant progress within a decade, fibromyalgia as an orphan disease that no speciality wants to claim, the relationship between antibodies and fibromyalgia symptoms, Dr. Ginevra’s hypothesis on how and why central sensitization is triggered in fibromyalgia, the complexity of the immune system and the challenges in understanding it, the misconception that inflammation is not involved in fibromyalgia, potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for fibromyalgia and other conditions, the upcoming Stanza app which uses behavioral therapy techniques to calm the fight or flight response, Tonix pharmaceuticals' phase three trial for a new fibromyalgia medication, exploring the possibility of transmitting fibromyalgia symptoms through blood donation, the search for effective fibromyalgia treatments, how to navigate the overwhelming and confusing nature new fibromyalgia research, the role of intuition and personal research in choosing treatment, recognizing that there is no magic bullet solution, why we advocate for combining different approaches for better results, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

“I’m having trouble finding my team, as you call it. I often feel so alone in this. How can I best find a doctor to suit my needs?”

Choosing your healthcare team is a highly personal process that requires you to really understand your specific wants and needs. There are so many options, and, let's face it, there aren’t a whole lot of good doctors out there.

When building your health team, remember you won’t find one doctor who can do everything for you. You need a team of people, from a sleep doctor to a chiropractor to a primary care doctor and more in between. Once you have a team in place, there are still several reasons you may need to go back to the drawing board and find a new provider. Whether you’ve moved further away, you’re experiencing new symptoms or a new diagnosis, or you simply feel like you’re no longer in good hands with your provider, there are certain things that signal that you should move on. You should never settle for fine.

In today’s installment of Ask the Coach, Tami shares some of the varied reasons you may need to find a new provider and a detailed process for finding aligned practitioners. In this episode, Tami discusses red flags that suggest you may need to find a new doctor, reasons Tami has had to find a new doctor, balancing a doctor’s skills with their willingness to learn, why we need a team of providers when we’re dealing with fibromyalgia, steps to take when searching for a new doctor, the value of referrals from trusted sources, why you should include a naturopath or functional medicine doctor on your team, how to find a functional medicine provider or naturopath, getting clear on your specific needs and wants, how to go about researching providers, the benefits of bringing someone with you to your first appointment, critical questions to ask potential providers, trusting your instincts, essential healthcare providers to help you manage fibromyalgia effectively, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Welcome to episode 03 of our special Be a Coach Series. In this series, I answer questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®.

In episode one of the series, I explained what a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® is and what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® is.

Episode two of the series was all about who makes a good coach and who is better suited to be an advisor. I also covered what you need and don’t need to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®.

In this episode, we’re taking a deeper look at why someone would want to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, why the world needs fibro coaches, and why you should consider becoming one.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

Don't like waiting? Register now to have the complete 'Be A Coach' series, along with several bonus episodes, delivered straight to your favorite podcast app.  Use this link to sign up for FREE.

Interested in hearing from our alumni about their journey in our courses? Register to receive our complimentary 'Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope' collection, automatically delivered to your favorite podcast app. Use this link to subscribe.

Join our next Virtual Open House and learn about our specialized training programs. Understand the difference between our Coach and Advisor paths, explore tuition options, and discover our fibro-friendly class structure. Click here to register or watch the replay.

To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

In the US, approximately 1 in 13 women and 1 in 20 men are diagnosed with fibromyalgia. To put those numbers in perspective, breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, cervical cancer affects 1 in 13 women, and colon cancer affects 1 in 25 women and 1 in 23 men. Yet, even though the prevalence of fibromyalgia is in a similar range, screening for these cancers has become mainstream, and fibromyalgia remains on the sidelines of medical training.

As patients, we have to be more proactive than ever and be as knowledgeable as possible to make good decisions about our care. In many cases, we know more than our doctors, who - despite being compassionate - just don’t know how to help you. Unfortunately, it’s just the way the system is set up.

This is the reason Tami created the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute. A Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® or Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® can help fill this care gap by educating, encouraging, and supporting people with fibromyalgia.

In today’s ninth installment of our Stories of Hope and Healing, some of our recent graduates share their fibro journeys and how they've improved their fibromyalgia symptoms. You’ll hear about the importance of fibromyalgia coaching, how a fibromyalgia coach fits into your healthcare team, Dr. Robin’s long journey with fibromyalgia, why a growth mindset can help your fibromyalgia, cultivating a growth mindset, the role of a coach, the three key characteristics that contribute to successful management of fibromyalgia, a client experience story from Tina on the transformative power of a growth mindset in managing fibromyalgia, next steps for graduates, how Jeannette’s undiagnosed ADHD masked her fibromyalgia symptoms for decades, the lifestyle changes and support systems that contributed most to Jeannette’s symptom management, Jeannette’s advice for perfectionists and hope for the future, Margo’s skepticism and initial resistance to positivity about life with fibromyalgia, what it was like working with her coach Giselle compared to her DIY approach, benefits of having a coach who understands fibromyalgia from personal experience, how community and shared experiences in the coaching class helped her journey, how the class helped Ileana improve her fibromyalgia, what it was like as a coach working with a fibro coach, the need to look beyond managing symptoms and focus on joy and balance in life, the positive impact of finding a functional medicine doctor, the factors that contributed the most to improving Ileana’s symptoms, connecting with your purpose, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Note: In the years since this episode was published, sadly, Recovery Love Box is no more. This episode, however, is still very relevant, as Liz shares her chronic illness story, including her diagnosis with chronic Lyme disease.

Subscription boxes are a trend that's here to stay. They give you a great way to be introduced to new items with little or no risk. But are there any made for those of us with chronic illnesses?

The answer is yes!

Introducing the Chronic Love Box subscription service by Recovery Love Box — a subscription box designed for those living with chronic illness by someone with a chronic illness.

Join Tami as she interviews Liz Lajoie about her journey with chronic Lyme disease, the idea that sparked the Chronic Love Box, and how a simple care package can help you feel more confident and in control of your health.

Be sure to stick around after the interview — Tami does an unboxing of the most recent Chronic Love Box she received so you can see what all the excitement is about!

Key Points

• Those moments where you most need help are usually the moments where you can't do it for yourself.
• Recovery Love Box is meant to be an intellectual introduction to things that you may not have had the energy or time to find yourself and to be a cheerleader for you when you're having those down times.
• If we can do a few things to take care of ourselves proactively, that builds confidence.
• Many of us are here because we were very Type A, go-getter kind of people and maybe push too hard — until our bodies made us take a break.
• Recovery Love Box was designed to bring positivity to people who don't often have the opportunity to get a care package.
• We can always be trying new things. We don't have to be stuck in our ruts.

About Liz Lajoie

As someone living with chronic Lyme, Liz Lajoie understands that if you can barely get out of bed, it’s way too easy to avoid the foods we know we should be eating for our health (lots of fresh veggies & lean protein) and way too hard to steer clear of the junk food in the house we know we shouldn’t be eating… and sometimes cooking a full meal when you’re not feeling your best is just a bridge too far.

She thought, “Wouldn’t it be great to just have the good stuff on hand?”

And the idea for Recovery Love Box was born. Liz has made it easy for anyone to get healthy, organic foods and self-care products without having to step foot out of your door — and all our friends and family to have an easy answer for the “How can I help?” question, too!

In addition to Recovery Love Box, Liz is the founder of the Zen Money Initiative™, supporting mission-driven business owners to make more money, manage it better, and bring more of it home. She is the author of From Zero to Zen: Secret Keys to Nurturing Your Numbers and Finding Financial Flow and Zen Money Map: Charge Your Worth, Pay Yourself First, and Fund Your Wildest Dreams. She lives in northern New Hampshire with her husband and two kids.

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.
• From Zero to Zen by Liz Lajoie FREE download
• From Zero to Zen by Liz Lajoie on Amazon (Affiliate link)
• Zen Money Map by Liz Lajoie on Amazon (Affiliate link)

Improving your fibromyalgia is really hard to do all on your own; you need a team of people to support you, including various providers, friends, and family. So... what happens when your family doesn't support you? Aren't they the ones who should be giving you the most support?

Listen in as Tami interviews Heather Kent, psychotherapist and author of two books on toxic relationships, about what to do when your family isn't supportive. You'll learn how to tell if it's a lack of support which can be improved through education and communication, or a more toxic and unhealthy type of non-support, including the signs for a toxic or abusive relationship.

Heather and Tami want you to know: Your fibromyalgia doesn't have to be the thing that keeps you stuck in a toxic relationship — and a toxic relationship doesn't have to be the thing that keeps you stuck in your fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. There is hope. You can feel better and feel safe.

For more information, free copies of Tami's and Heather's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/62.

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, estimating the reduction in health care cost would be at least 50%.
• Patient-centered care is really where it's at. How do we create a system with health care providers with care that really transforms patients and provides the care they need to actually get better long term?

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.

One of the questions Tami gets most often is, “When are we going to have new fibromyalgia treatment options?” With only three FDA-approved fibromyalgia medications, many of us are on the alert for new options to address our symptoms better.

To answer that question, Tami invited Dr. Seth Lederman, CEO and founder of Tonix, to talk about the fibromyalgia medication currently in phase three trials, TNX-102 SL. Dr. Lederman has dedicated his career to fibromyalgia research and has worked on this drug for almost 25 years. Today he’s sharing all the details about how TNX-102 SL could help fibromyalgia patients and walking us through the process of developing a new medication.

In this conversation, Tami and Dr. Lederman talk about the process of creating a new medication and the FDA approval process, the significant challenges in the medication creation process, TNX-102 SL - the new fibromyalgia medication Dr. Lederman has been working on for almost 25 years, how TNX-102 SL is different and improved over Flexeril, the importance of improving sleep quality for fibromyalgia patients, the benefits of improved sleep quality, unrefreshing sleep in fibromyalgia patients and how it relates to the pain perception system, the current phase three trial of TNX-102 SL and how you can find out more, next steps after the successful completion the current study, preliminary results showing the positive effects of TNX-102 SL on the quality of life of fibromyalgia patients, the overlap between long COVID and fibromyalgia, the varied factors that can lead to the development of fibromyalgia, a new drug under development for depression that could also have activity in fibromyalgia, positive progress in fibromyalgia research and treatment, Dr. Lederman’s message for you, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

In 2009 - two years after her diagnosis - Tami started working with a coach and making positive changes in her life. At the same time that she saw her fibromyalgia begin to improve, she started noticing beautiful cherry blossom trees everywhere. They weren’t new, but her awareness of them was. Knowing that they frequently appear in Japanese and Chinese art, she looked up their symbolism, and what she found resonated deeply with her and her fibromyalgia experience.

In Japanese and Chinese art, cherry blossoms symbolize feminine beauty. They represent delicateness, strength, and power. With their fleeting beauty, cherry blossoms highlight the transience of life and the fact that no matter where you are and what you’re going through, this too shall pass.

In today’s episode, Tami shares why she chose cherry blossoms in her logo, book covers, and more and uses them to represent the journey with fibromyalgia. She discusses how working with a health coach helped her fibromyalgia to start to improve, the moment cherry blossoms began to enter Tami’s awareness, the meaning and significance of cherry blossoms in different cultures, her decision to embrace their symbolism, why Tami believes cherry blossoms make such a great symbol of our experiences within the fibro community, embracing the transience of life, learning to find the beauty and strength in disability, thinking of your body as a being who is on your side, believing in the incredible beauty of your body, connecting with the promise of hope, creating realistic goals and continuously improving, the feminine strength symbolized by the cherry blossoms, making empowered choices for your wellbeing, the power of hope, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

What did you feel when you were diagnosed with fibromyalgia? Relief? Shame? Frustration?

These were all things Regina Frisch felt when she was finally diagnosed after 15 years of struggling. When she was ready to take action and asked what the treatment plan would be, her doctor told her they didn't really have one.

Sound familiar?

It takes an integrative approach to treat fibromyalgia effectively. An integrative approach means treating the whole person, not just your parts.

When Regine learned that Norway's medical system couldn't provide what she needed, she used her contacts as a social worker and therapist to draw together a team of like-minded practitioners. Together, they founded FibroFokus, Norway's first outpatient fibromyalgia clinic.

Listen in as Tami interviews Regine and co-founder Dr. Hege Tønnesen about their journey and the integrative approach they use with their patients at FibroFokus.

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/61.

In this special bonus episode, Tami is sharing a side of things you normally don’t see.

Today, we’re going behind the scenes of her business to share an interview she did with Cassie Parks from build. grow. profit. Cassie’s podcast is all about how people built and grew their businesses to the point of profitability.

If you have ever been curious about how Tami went from being a patient struggling with fibromyalgia to becoming a successful fibromyalgia coach and eventually founding the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute, this episode is for you.

It’s also for you if you are wondering about becoming a coach yourself or about how it’s possible to build a business while also finding ways to improve your fibromyalgia symptoms. If you’ve ever thought you couldn’t build a business because of your fibromyalgia, please listen to this interview.

If you enjoy this episode, please check out Cassie Parks’ podcast, build. grow. profit.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

If we’re open to it, fibromyalgia can be a path to self-discovery and personal growth. It teaches us about ourselves and how to let go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations. It highlights the value of embracing small victories. It reminds us that rest is an intentional practice, not a passive activity.

Over time, our bodies change, and we have to adapt. Life doesn’t always go the way we expect it to, and the best thing we can do is to create systems that support us in our lives and that allow us the flexibility to adjust when we need to. 

Becoming a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® or Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® can help with this by educating, encouraging, and supporting you in your journey with fibromyalgia. As people with fibromyalgia ourselves, we can give you real tips and tricks from our own lives and things that have helped us with our fibromyalgia.

Today, in the tenth installment of our Stories of Hope and Healing, Tami shares inspiring excerpts from our January 2025 event. You’ll hear from three graduates about their stories and how they’ve been able to improve their fibromyalgia symptoms. On average, our graduates improve their symptoms by about 50% during the program, and in this group, their symptoms were improved by a staggering 63%. All of these graduates ended with a revised fibromyalgia impact questionnaire score of 26 or less, which is very close to what some would consider to be remission.

In this episode you’ll hear about Clara’s recognition that self-care means more than fine-tuning nutrition and exercise, insights from working with two different coaches and how each helped her in different ways, how Clara’s Book of Me helped her to better understand her body, why Clara decided to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® to help other women veterans, the main factors that contributed to her 84% improvement in symptoms, Kim’s perspective on the gift of feeling better and the joy of helping others through coaching, why Kim decided to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® despite having multiple other coaching certifications, the unique hands-on experience and the rounded curriculum of the program, avoiding burnout while managing fibromyalgia and maintaining a sustainable approach, adapting to life's changes, how a life crisis impacted Kim’s symptoms, lessons learned from a recent fibro flare, celebrating your progress and day-to-day accomplishments, the various strategies that contributed to Kim’s significantly improved fibromyalgia symptoms, how Kim has helped clients overcome insomnia and manage sleep apnea, why she loves working with women with strong personalities, encouragement for you to seek support and guidance in your fibromyalgia journey, Viktoriia’s decision to join the Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® program, understanding the importance of self-compassion, adapting your life to your fibromyalgia reality, lessons that fibromyalgia teaches us, essential elements in Viktoriia's recovery journey, the importance of flexibility and adaptability in managing stress and fibromyalgia symptoms, how coaching helped Viktoriia on her journey, the value of community and support among fibromyalgia patients, differentiating coaching from therapy, focusing on proactive management of fibromyalgia rather than coping strategies, the lack of resources for non-English speakers and the importance of bridging this gap in fibromyalgia support, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Don’t blame everything on your fibromyalgia.

Your pain, fatigue, sleep issues, and brain fog might not be from your fibromyalgia. We need to dig deeper.

Tami encountered this topic a lot in the last few months of the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® training program. We’re not saying you don’t have fibromyalgia - what we mean is, sometimes symptoms can be caused by something else in addition to or instead of fibromyalgia.

Why does it matter? Assuming that fibromyalgia is the blanket reason behind every symptom, you might be missing out on opportunities for healing. By finding the true source of your symptoms, you’ll be able to get the right treatment to help you.

In this episode, Tami is talking about the common areas outside of fibromyalgia that might be causing similar symptoms. She shares why you should learn to read your labs, what it might mean if none of the typical medications are helping, common symptoms of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), the huge difference a CPAP machine made for her, why Tami believes myalgic encephalomyelitis, also called chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, is separate from fibromyalgia, the importance of testing for chronic infections, why advocating for yourself is essential, how a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® can help you on your fibro journey, and more.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

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.

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 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.
• Evernote:  try a free month of Evernote Premium using this affiliate link
• TSA Pre✓
• Global Entry
• Oska and Quell devices
• Travel vacuum bags
• PillSuite
• Small travel bottles
• Blog Post: “Accepting Assistance” by Melissa Swanson of Fibro Warriors ~ Living Life, as published on ProHealth.com
• Blog Post: “Seven Keys To Savy Traveling With Fibromyalgia”

In this episode of our Ask the Coach series, Tami answers a question sent in from a listener: Should I go outside my insurance to get fibromyalgia treatment?

Many fibromyalgia patients who are struggling to feel better focus on what their insurance will provide for them. The reality is that no matter how good your doctor is, or how good your insurance coverage is, there will be things you’ll need to pay for out of pocket if you want to feel your best. This may mean adjusting your expectations and re-prioritizing how you’re spending some of your finances to focus more on your health.

Tami also introduces the Sherri Little Foundation, a non-profit organization created to provide micro-grants of $1,000 or less to chronic pain patients for things that insurance doesn’t cover, such as medical equipment, travel to see specialists, treatments, and more.

The Sherri Little Foundation will begin awarding their first grants in 2020.

Key Points

• You need to do what it takes to get yourself feeling better.
• If you have a health care savings account or flex spending account, you can use pre-tax money to buy things that would not be covered under insurance.
• If the ultimate goal is to feel your best, what are you willing to do to get there?
• No matter how good your doctor is, there are still things you’re going to have to pay for out of pocket if you really want to get better.
• We need to adjust our expectations and realize that it’s going to take an investment of money, time, energy, and effort to get 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 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
• Pain Warriors documentary on Amazon (Affiliate link)
• Sherri Little Fibromyalgia Coaching Scholarship
• Sherri Little Foundation, Inc.

Other Episodes Mentioned

• Episode 23, Counseling, Coaching, and Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Robin Pfaff

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

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

While 2020 has been a year of social isolation for everyone, many of us with fibromyalgia were already too familiar with isolation. Pain and fatigue often keeps us from enjoying social events and interferes with our relationships.

In this episode, Tami interviews Jodi Taub, a psychotherapist with multiple chronic illnesses of her own, about how we can protect our mental health and cope with social isolation and the loss of our holidays — whether it was brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic or simply fibromyalgia.

In addition, Jodi provides practical advice on how to know if it's just sadness vs. clinical depression and what steps to take to get the help you need. Jodi says, "We didn't choose to have our diseases, but we can choose to make things easier."

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/51.

Welcome to the final episode of our special Be a Coach series. So far, I’ve answered questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®.

Some of the topics covered in the first three parts of this special series were what a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® and a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® is, the difference between the two, who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® and who is better suited to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®, what you need and don’t need to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® or Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, why the world needs fibro coaches, and why you should consider becoming one.

In this final installment, I’m digging into the nuts and bolts of how you can become a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® or Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®; including the exact steps you need to take.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

As a master Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, author, and fibro podcaster, the questions I’m asked more than any others are:

How do I get better?

How do I improve my Fibromyalgia so I can get back to living the life I want to live?

While those sound like simple questions, they do not have simple answers. We all have similar symptoms, what helps you feel better may not be the thing that helps me feel better. We all have to find our own magic formula for what makes us feel best.

I know from personal experience just how overwhelming it can be to find that formula on your own. That’s why I created a training program in 2015 that would teach people just like you how to improve their own Fibromyalgia, and how to help others do the same.

In this first episode of a special series where I’ll be answering a lot of questions I get about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and about becoming a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, I want to start super basic.

We’re going over what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® is, how that’s different from a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®, why you should consider the Advisor class if you’re a patient who just wants to feel better, who else the Advisor class is perfect for, what the certification aspect really means, the staggering statistics on how many participants see significant improvements in their symptoms by the end of the Advisor class.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.

Welcome to episode 03 of our special Be a Coach Series. In this series, I answer questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®.

In episode one of the series, I explained what a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® is and what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® is.

Episode two of the series was all about who makes a good coach and who is better suited to be an advisor. I also covered what you need and don’t need to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®.

In this episode, we’re taking a deeper look at why someone would want to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, why the world needs fibro coaches, and why you should consider becoming one.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.

Don't like waiting? Register now to have the complete 'Be A Coach' series, along with several bonus episodes, delivered straight to your favorite podcast app.  Use this link to sign up for FREE.

Interested in hearing from our alumni about their journey in our courses? Register to receive our complimentary 'Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope' collection, automatically delivered to your favorite podcast app. Use this link to subscribe.

Join our next Virtual Open House and learn about our specialized training programs. Understand the difference between our Coach and Advisor paths, explore tuition options, and discover our fibro-friendly class structure. Click here to register or watch the replay.

To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the show notes.

For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.

Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for free.

Ready to take back control of your life and health? Schedule a consultation with a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach^®.