Understanding Long-Covid under the Fibromyalgia and related conditions framework, also known as nociplastic pain conditions.
In this episode of the Conquering Your Fibromyalgia podcast, host Dr. Michael Lenz explores the possible connections between Long-Covid and Fibromyalgia. He reviews two articles(A and B) providing different perspectives on the issue, focusing on the similarities in symptoms and the overlap with other chronic pain conditions. Dr. Lenz explains the term Long-Covid, detailing the range of persistent symptoms experienced by patients post-COVID-19 infection and how they mirror those of Fibromyalgia. He discusses studies attempting to understand and define Long-Covid but the lack of evidence supporting those such as persistence of a viral infection. It has been proposed to rename it to Fibromyalgia-like post-Covid syndrome. In a second opinion piece, the parallels between Fibromyalgia and Long-Covid based on past research are discussed. They propose that Long-Covid and Fibromyalgia should be viewed as a network of interrelated disorders with a shared pathogenic mechanism and encourage an evidenced based multifaceted approach already in existence from our understanding of fibromyalgia type illness. Dr. Lenz emphasizes the need for understanding and giving evidence based answers and solutions to those suffering.
00:04 Introduction to the Podcast and Host
01:11 Understanding Long COVID and Fibromyalgia
05:13 Exploring the Symptoms of Long COVID
06:37 The Overlap of Long COVID and Fibromyalgia Symptoms
06:43 The History and Naming of Fibromyalgia
12:08 The Biological Footprint of Long COVID?
27:19 The Role of Psychological Factors in Nociplastic Conditions
33:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The fibromyalgia starter pack categorizes the episodes in a way that is more accessible for those new to fibromyalgia.
A Fibromyalgia Starter Pack, which is a great companion to the book Conquering Your Fibromyalgia, is now available. Dr. Michael Lenz practices general pediatrics and internal medicine primary care, seeing patients from infants through adults. In addition, he also will see patients with fibromyalgia and related problems and patients interested in lifestyle medicine and clinical lipidology. To learn more, go to ConquringYourFibromyalgia.com. Remember that while Dr. Lenz is a medical doctor, he is not your doctor. All of your signs and symptoms should be discussed with your own physician. He aims to weave the best of conventional medicine with lifestyle medicine to help people with chronic health conditions live their best lives possible. Dr. Lenz hopes that the podcast, book, blog, and website serve as a trusted resource and starting point on your journey of learning to live better with fibromyalgia and related illnesses.