Conquering Your Fibromyalgia Podcast

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions In this week's episode, we discuss narrative medicine as a useful but often neglected tool for doctors and patients to help them feel better and live healthier with fibromyalgia. Every patient has a story that goes beyond the symptoms they bring into the doctor's office.Those stories illuminate how a person became ill, the tipping point that compelled them to seek help, and the barriers to getting better. Stories can offer the depth that promotes and nourishes empathy, prompting a provider to switch from asking, "How can I treat this disease?" to "How can I help my patient?" This reframing can improve patient care. This week you will hear the first of a two-part series on narrative medicine in a conversation with Dr. Bruce Campbell.Dr. Lenz is an internist, pediatrician, lifestyle medicine physician, and clinical lipidologist interested in helping those with fibromyalgia and related problems go beyond just learning to live with it and even reverse fibromyalgia. He is also the author of the book "Conquering Your Fibromyalgia: Real Answers and Real Solutions for Real Pain. " It is also available on audiobook with Dr. Lenz as the narrator. If you have questions or topics you would like to have discussed on a future podcast, email Dr. Lenz at doctormichaellenz@gmail.com. You can also share a recording of your question. If you have a question, hundreds of others will likely have the same question. You can also go to Conquerinyourfibromyalgia.com  to learn more through blogs Dr. Lenz has done on fibromyalgia.  Click here for the Fibromyalgia 101 link.Click here to connect with Joy Lenz. Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You’re not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace personal medical advice.* ...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions We have been conversing with Tamra Rosier in this last of the three-part series. She is an author and ADHD coach and has worked with clients for a long time, helping them live better with their ADHD. This is relevant to the conversation about fibromyalgia because many with fibromyalgia also have ADHD and may be unaware of the role it plays in their struggles.We talked last week about the different grids and how to understand the challenges that someone with ADHD faces looking at Yellow, Blue,  green, and red areas. For many, the red areas will be emotionally exhausting and challenging. This week, we will continue the conversation as we will talk about chronic fatigue. Dr. Lenz is an internist, pediatrician, lifestyle medicine physician, and clinical lipidologist interested in helping those with fibromyalgia and related problems go beyond just learning to live with it and even reverse fibromyalgia. He is also the author of the book "Conquering Your Fibromyalgia: Real Answers and Real Solutions for Real Pain. " It is also available on audiobook with Dr. Lenz as the narrator. If you have questions or topics you would like to have discussed on a future podcast, email Dr. Lenz at doctormichaellenz@gmail.com. You can also share a recording of your question. If you have a question, hundreds of others likely have the same question. You can also go to Conquerinyourfibromyalgia.com  to learn more through blogs Dr. Lenz has done on fibromyalgia. Remember, this podcast is meant for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should NOT be interpreted as medical advice for any medical condition or individual. It is also Click here for the Fibromyalgia 101 link.Click here to connect with Joy Lenz. Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You’re not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace personal medical advice.* ...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions This week is part 2 of the multi-episode series of the interview with Tammara Rosier,  author, and ADHD coach, discussing ADHD, a condition prevalent in 25-75% of those living with fibromyalgia and related problems.People with ADHD see the world through their emotions. Our brains are wired to detect even mild levels of stimulation. It doesn’t matter if it is positive or negative stimulation; something gets our attention, and we respond. We experience negative emotional stimulation when the electric bill we avoided paying is overdue. We experience positive emotional stimulation when we look forward to going golfing with friends. Some tasks, though, have no emotional stimulation.The grid is a useful tool to help frame the challenges many living with fibromyalgia face.Dr. Lenz is an internist, pediatrician, lifestyle medicine physician, and clinical lipidologist interested in helping those with fibromyalgia and related problems go beyond just learning to live with it and even reverse fibromyalgia. He is also the author of the book "Conquering Your Fibromyalgia: Real Answers and Real Solutions for Real Pain. " It is also available on audiobook with Dr. Lenz as the narrator. If you have questions or topics you would like to have discussed on a future podcast, email Dr. Lenz at doctormichaellenz@gmail.com. You can also share a recording of your question. If you have a question, hundreds of others likely have the same question. You can also go to Click here for the Fibromyalgia 101 link.Click here to connect with Joy Lenz. Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You’re not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace personal medical advice.* ...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions This week we will start with a multi-episode series of the interview with Tammara Rosier, an author, and ADHD coach, discussing ADHD, a condition prevalent in 25-75% of those living with fibromyalgia and related problems. The insights she shares with her clients and her book are valuable for those trying to live better with fibromyalgia and brain fog. We learn about the grid she uses with her clients to help them understand their challenges. Adults with ADHD have a peculiar relationship with time, often investing it frivolously or ineffectively. Many of us feel anxiety, guilt, or self-loathing when we think about how we use our days, resulting in more wasted energy and time. Routine tasks, like laundry and paying the bills, frustrate us. When we look at those who don’t have ADHD, we wonder, Why are ordinary tasks so difficult for us to accomplish?We see our world in predictable ways. We divide our tasks into two categories—fun and not fun. The ADHD brain searches the horizon for the interesting, shiny, curious, remarkable, and exciting, and we call it all “fun.” We are captivated by fun—it affects our levels of drive, motivation, and happiness.Dr. Lenz is an internist, pediatrician, lifestyle medicine physician, and clinical lipidologist interested in helping those with fibromyalgia and related problems go beyond just learning to live with it and even reverse fibromyalgia. He is also the author of the book "Conquering Your Fibromyalgia: Real Answers and Real Solutions for Real Pain. " It is also available on Click here for the Fibromyalgia 101 link.Click here to connect with Joy Lenz. Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You’re not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace personal medical advice.* ...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions We continue the conversation with Dr. Heather Martarella, a pain psychologist. This week we discuss thought patterns that are barriers to getting relief from chronic pain. These include negativity and catastrophic thinking patterns. These are also known as pain-related cognitive distortions. We also discuss shifting from a place of acceptance to one of hope. She also shares challenges and opportunities to make the biopsychosocial spiritual model more frequently incorporated into pain management.Dr. Lenz is an internist, pediatrician, lifestyle medicine physician, and clinical lipidologist interested in helping those with fibromyalgia and related problems go beyond just learning to live with it and even reverse fibromyalgia. He is also the author of the book "Conquering Your Fibromyalgia: Real Answers and Real Solutions for Real Pain. " It is also available on audiobook with Dr. Lenz as the narrator. If you have questions or topics you would like to have discussed on a future podcast, email Dr. Lenz at doctormichaellenz@gmail.com. You can also share a recording of your question. If you have a question, hundreds of others likely have the same question. You can also go to Conquerinyourfibromyalgia.com  to learn more through blogs Dr. Lenz has done on fibromyalgia. Remember, this podcast is meant for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should NOT be interpreted as medical advice for any medical condition or individual. It is also not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. The content presented is a starting point in your research and a helpful guide when discussing your circumstances with your trusted medical provi Click here for the Fibromyalgia 101 link.Click here to connect with Joy Lenz. Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You’re not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace personal medical advice.* ...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Today and next week, we will take a deep dive into how we understand and think about chronic pain. And to do that, we have a special guest. Dr. Heather Martarella is an expert on helping clients reclaim their lives and find relief from chronic pain and insomnia/sleep issues. She also provides treatment for those coping with chronic illness, most recently including Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome. Dr. Martarella became passionate about specializing in treating chronic pain after experiencing her own physical injury in 2012, which left her with chronic pain for years and significantly changed her lifestyle. Years after her injury, she was able to begin recovering and now manages the occasional pain flare-up well and enjoys a good quality of life, and is committed to helping others find relief, too. These clients’ physical situations often manifest into anxiety, depression, insomnia, relationship conflicts, fatigue, irritability, or overwhelm. Life as you knew it may have stopped, but there is hope, and Dr. Martarella can help you find it again. Dr. Martarella uses many evidence-based therapy modalities and will develop the best combination for each client based on their needs and goals. She provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) for those suffering from sleep difficulties to help clients improve their sleep. For those with a trauma history, whether from childhood, medical, or other traumas, she may provide EMDR or Trauma-Informed CBT, to help clients heal from trauma. Dr. Martarella encourages clients to pay attention to their body's responses and incorporates biofeedback treatment when appropriate. Dr. Martarella also emphasizes self-compassion for clients who are often hard on themselves.Dr. Martarella earned a Master's and then a Doctoral degree (PsyD in 2005); she has been providing psychological treatment since 2000. She recognizes the unique toll that physical pain or chronic illness causes and Click here for the Fibromyalgia 101 link.Click here to connect with Joy Lenz. Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You’re not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace personal medical advice.* ...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions "Winning to me was being alive." Jake shares how life has been since treating important coexisting medical problems and weaning off suboxone. He is now thriving. We also have listener feedback from Amy in New Zealand."I recently came across your podcasts & have listened to many of them.I live in New Zealand & have spent the last two years struggling with what I believe is fibromyalgia. It's taken all of this time to gain access to appointments with rheumatology finally. The appointments were brief & a few trigger points were checked, with a brief amount of questions. I basically felt I wasn't listened to or even believed.  The outcome was that without me having trigger points, they couldn't diagnose me with fibromyalgia. When I heard your episode, part 3 on 'do I have fibromyalgia, I cried when you spoke about trigger points at the conclusion.  I felt some validation for how I've been feeling, & for how hard the last couple of years have been. My hope would be that you could discuss a diagnosis with or without trigger points on your podcast, & maybe why some countries like New Zealand have to include trigger points for a diagnosis in the public health system. I massively appreciate the work you do, & the hope you give me & others. Without people like you working in this field I think it's a pretty lonely, tough road for me, & others when the only person you know experiencing something like this is yourself. Thank you so much for your work, and for your podcasts."Dr. Lenz is an internist, pediatrician, lifestyle medicine physician, and clinical lipidologist interested in helping those with fibromyalgia and related problems go beyond just learning to live with it and even reverse fibromyalgia. He is also the author of the book "Conquering Your Fibromyalgia: Real Answers and Real Solutions for Real Pain. " It is also availab Click here for the Fibromyalgia 101 link.Click here to connect with Joy Lenz. Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You’re not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace personal medical advice.* ...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Jake shares his story of overcoming oxycontin addiction, treatment with suboxone, and being happy to be alive. However, he struggled in so many other important ways, including academically and economically. The thought of thriving wasn't even considered a possibility. Dr. Lenz is an internist, pediatrician, lifestyle medicine physician, and clinical lipidologist interested in helping those with fibromyalgia and related problems go beyond just learning to live with it and even reverse fibromyalgia. He is also the author of the book "Conquering Your Fibromyalgia: Real Answers and Real Solutions for Real Pain. " It is also available on audiobook with Dr. Lenz as the narrator. If you have questions or topics you would like to have discussed on a future podcast, email Dr. Lenz at doctormichaellenz@gmail.com. You can also share a recording of your question. If you have a question, hundreds of others likely have the same question. You can also go to Conquerinyourfibromyalgia.com  to learn more through blogs Dr. Lenz has done on fibromyalgia. Remember, this podcast is meant for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should NOT be interpreted as medical advice for any medical condition or individual. It is also not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. The content presented is a starting point in your research and a helpful guide when discussing your circumstances with your trusted medical providers. All listeners are strongly urged to seek medical attention and guidance regarding symptoms and health concerns. Click here for the Fibromyalgia 101 link.Click here to connect with Joy Lenz. Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You’re not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace personal medical advice.* ...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions A paradigm shift. We have been looking at disorders of the gut-brain axis along with other disorders of central processing that fall under the umbrella of fibromyalgia. The medical model involves using a straightforward cause with a straightforward solution. Examples include type one diabetes, with the loss of insulin by immune destruction of the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. The solution is insulin, and it is life-saving. Another example is the discovery of anesthesia, allowing surgeons to do life-saving procedures. Penicillin to cure bacterial infections and antiviral medications put the once deadly HIV infection into a lifetime of remission. However, as successful as medicine has been using this medical model to treat conditions like these, it fails to adequately manage those struggling under the umbrella of central pain processing disorders. The paradigm shift is to one have a more bio cycle, social model, the mind, body spirit that is so important, and the multimodal approach to helping those who are struggling. Dr. Lenz is an internist, pediatrician, lifestyle medicine physician, and clinical lipidologist interested in helping those with fibromyalgia and related problems go beyond just learning to live with it and even reverse fibromyalgia. He is also the author of the book "Conquering Your Fibromyalgia: Real Answers and Real Solutions for Real Pain. " It is also available on audiobook with Dr. Lenz as the narrator. If you have questions or topics you would like to have discussed on a future podcast, email Dr. Lenz at doctormichaellenz@gmail.com. You can also share a recording of your question. If you have a question, hundreds of others likely have the same question. You can also g Click here for the Fibromyalgia 101 link.Click here to connect with Joy Lenz. Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You’re not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace personal medical advice.* ...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions During this week's episode, we will continue the conversation with Dr. Beate VeinVogl, who is a pediatric gastroenterologist and professor at Harvard university, as well as working at Boston Children's Hospital, where she dedicates her time helping children and adolescents, as well as their families, understand and live much better with chronic abdominal pain known as disorders of the gut-brain interaction. During this week's episode, you will hear more about why your stomach hurts. You may have had many tests, which all have been normal, but you will still have pain and aren't given satisfying answers, let alone solutions to help your pain. The vast majority of chronic abdominal pain may be debilitating but not life-threatening, like cancer, infection like appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or celiac disease. And even if you have inflammatory bowel disease, You often will have a disorder of the gut-brain axis along with it. Dr. Lenz is an internist, pediatrician, lifestyle medicine physician, and clinical lipidologist interested in helping those with fibromyalgia and related problems go beyond just learning to live with it and even reverse fibromyalgia. He is also the author of the book "Conquering Your Fibromyalgia: Real Answers and Real Solutions for Real Pain. " It is also available on audiobook with Dr. Lenz as the narrator. If you have questions or topics you would like to have discussed on a future podcast, email Dr. Lenz at doctormichaellenz@gmail.com. You can also share a recording of your question. If you have a question, hundreds of others likely have the same question. You can also go to Click here for the Fibromyalgia 101 link.Click here to connect with Joy Lenz. Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You’re not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace personal medical advice.* ...