Conquering Your Fibromyalgia Podcast

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Do you know what cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance of commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction all have in common? They're all strategies Dr. Afton Hassett suggests in her book "Chronic Pain Reset" for managing chronic pain that we'll be dissecting in today's episode. Dr. Hassett's evidence-based approac...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Are you constantly battling with chronic pain and wish to understand its mysteries? Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Ashton Hassett , who will illuminate this complex interaction between the mind and pain. Dr Hassett, a renowned psychologist specializing in chronic pain, will take us through her journey in this field, discussing her groundbreaking work an...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Ever wonder why we so seldom discuss autism in adults? Join us for a riveting conversation with our esteemed guest, Dr. Barry Prizant, as we unpack the complexities of diagnosing autism in adults, and how it can be better understood as a disability of trust. You'll hear the inspiring story of Michael John Carly, a leading figure in the self-advocacy mov...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions We're thrilled to bring you an insightful conversation with the esteemed Dr. Barry Prizant, who's dedicated half a century to researching and unraveling the mysteries of autism. As the founder of the Communications Disorders Department at Bradley Hospital, Dr. Pruzantes brings his in-depth knowledge on autism to the forefront. His incredible work h...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Those living with fibromyalgia and related conditions will want to listen to the first part of this 3-part series on autism. What if we could challenge the prevailing misunderstandings and stereotypes and foster empathy and understanding instead? Embark on this enlightening journey with us and our esteemed guest, Dr. Barry Prizant, a clinical scholar and spe...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Ever feel overwhelmed by the idea of setting health goals?  . In today's episode, Shelley is our spotlight story, a brave woman who wrestles with the invisible illnesses of fibromyalgia, restless legs, ADHD, and migraines. Her story is a gripping saga of battling fatigue, chronic body pain, and misunderstood diagnoses.  But it's also a story of hop...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions  In this week's episode, we hear about the inspiration and purpose behind the  Every1In Wellness and Abilities Fair from Jory Pradjinski. The aim is simple - to foster a sense of community, create a space for face-to-face connections, and peel back the often invisible layers of stigma associated with Invisible and Visible health conditions. We'll a...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Have you ever wondered how someone lives and thrives in the face of chronic pain? Have you ever thought what difference hope could make in a world filled with pain and suffering? Meet Jory Pradjenski, a survivor and beacon of hope in the world of chronic pain. Jory shares his journey, battling chronic pain through multiple back surgeries and a serious concus...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions What role does performing music play for some with fibromyalgia? You will learn about the impact it can have in this week's episode. Tapping into the creative process of playing the guitar, composing music, and building a guitar have been helpful for Dale and many others. If you struggle with fibromyalgia and want to learn about how the creative process...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Ever wondered what it's like to live with an invisible illness that's barely understood? Our guest, Dale, offers a raw and deeply enlightening perspective of managing life with fibromyalgia. We journey with him through his struggles, exploring this condition's historical context and its evolving definitions over generations. Dale's story...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Today, we're honored to bring you a conversation with Dale, a brave soul journeying through life with fibromyalgia.  Hailing from the UK, he candidly shares his path to diagnosis, shedding light on the sudden onset of debilitating symptoms - physical and mental exhaustion, dizziness, confusion, and chronic fatigue. Dale navigates us through his post-dia...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions  "Patients like Linda" was a perspective piece in JAMA in 2003 written by Dr. Steven Ringel, a now-retired neuromuscular specialist. This is a fitting piece, as patients like Linda inspired me to learn more about this perplexing invisible illness. I have recognized the need for an evidence-based holistic approach leading me to write a book and star...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Living with fibromyalgia or any invisible illness is no easy feat. Despite the leaps in medical advancements, those who grapple with these conditions can often feel misunderstood and underrepresented. This episode unravels the harrowing realities of living with these illnesses, drawing stark parallels between the treatment of Neurasthenia, a condition known...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions What if the secret to understanding chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome lay tucked within the historical pages of medical literature? Journey alongside us as we unravel the intricate narrative of neurasthenia, a condition that has fascinated medical minds between 90-150 years ago. Our exploration will chart a course through the...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions We hear from voices of the past shared through their physicians. These intriguing cases help us recognize the common patterns present then still continue. We will hear from experts as they share the stories of patients. We'll also discuss the significance of comprehensive patient history and the impact of environmental conditions on these illnesses. We&...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Are you familiar with Neurasthenia? We are taking a journey back in time, viewing the parallels between this illness from over a century ago and the invisible illnesses of today. You will be astounded at its striking resemblance with conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, POTS, migraines, and irritable bowel syndrome.  This diagnosis was com...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Why did neurasthenia, a once-prevalent condition, fall by the wayside as medical advancements focused on cancer, infectious diseases, and other tangible ailments? Join me, Dr. Michael Lenz, in this riveting exploration of our medical history as we uncover the cold case of neurasthenia and appreciate the transformative advances in modern medicine. Trace the f...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Step back in time with me, Dr. Michael Lenz, as we unravel the fascinating history of neurasthenia, the predecessor to the modern diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Discover how Dr. George Beard's groundbreaking work in 1869 echoes the experiences of fibromyalgia sufferers today, and learn how our understanding of chronic pain and invisible illnesses has evolve...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Are you struggling with chronic pelvic pain and searching for effective ways to manage it? Join us as we dive into the world of pelvic pain treatments, exploring how both men and women can lower central pain sensitization through self-care and relaxation responses practiced over a three-month period. Discover the connection between the signal of urge and dis...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions What if you could achieve optimal pelvic health and better manage chronic pelvic pain better? In our latest episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Evelyn Hecht, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience treating pelvic physical therapy issues in both men and women. Evelyn shares her expertise on common conditions she treats, like painfu...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Discover more about the lives of those living with fibromyalgia and autism in part 4 of the interview with Dr. Mel Hauser to explore the importance of access needs for these individuals. Learn how a supportive community can make all the difference in managing these conditions and the challenges medical doctors face in recognizing and helping those with neuro...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions This week we continue to hear more from Dr. Mel Hauser and essential insights to understand Autism better, which will help you understand fibromyalgia better. There is so much stigma and misunderstanding about autism, neurodivergent minds, and fibromyalgia that is deservedly discussed and reframed to grow a better understanding. Dr. Lenz is an internist, ped...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Have you ever felt broken, isolated, or misunderstood because of your neurodivergence? In a powerful conversation, we explore the world of narrative medicine and its significance in understanding and recognizing neurodivergent patients with overlapping pain syndromes like fibromyalgia, migraines, and IBS, as well as the crucial role of lifestyle medicine in...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions This is the first part of a 4 part conversation with Dr. Mel Hauser , a family practice doctor who has dedicated her career to helping those with neurodivergent minds. Surprisingly there is a connection between autism and fibromyalgia and related problems which Dr. Hauser and her staff call "all the things." This conversation may be the most impact...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions This is the last of 3 interviews from listeners of the podcast. Lynn from Minnesota shares her journey. Here is some of what she had to share. "It's that whole moderation aspect or the balance aspect. I used to joke that having fibromyalgia was like living between two bookends on a narrow shelf.  It sounds limiting, and I don't mean to make it...