Conquering Your Fibromyalgia Podcast
When I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. In the exam room, time is limited. But the need for understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia is vast. That’s why I created this space: to offer deeper education, validation, and hope.
If you’ve been told that fibromyalgia "isn’t real'" or that it’s "all in your head," I want you to know: I see you. I believe you. And you're not alone. This podcast is here to affirm what you’ve lived through and to explain the science behind what you’re experiencing.
Whether you're living with fibromyalgia, supporting someone who is, or a healthcare professional seeking to better serve your patients, I hope you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insight drawn from my 28+ years as a medical doctor, pediatrician, internist, lifestyle medicine physician, and clinical lipidologist.
Together, let’s bring compassion and clarity to a condition that’s too often misunderstood—and help make the invisible, visible. You can learn more at www.conqueringyourfibromyalgia.com.
Episodes
266 episodes
Rethinking Mind Mody Medicine for Neurodivergent Individuals
In this enlightening video, we explore the concept of "tension myositis syndrome," a condition where the brain generates chronic pain, challenging traditional biomedical views. We examine Dr. Sarno's groundbreaking work and how he explained the...
Why this OB GYN left medicine to become an ADHD coach
Navigating ADHD and Chronic Pain: Dr. Kerry Shea's Journey from OB GYN to ADHD CoachIn this episode, we welcome Dr. Kerry Shea, an OB GYN who transitioned to working as an ADHD coach. Dr. Shea shares her personal experience living with ...
A Girl's Chronic Pain Reversal Story
00:00 A Mysterious Case00:59 Years of Unexplained Pain02:19 The Hidden Connection03:08 The Breakthrough Diagnosis04:03 Understanding the Science04:52 Sensory Processing Differences06:13 ADHD and Pain Regulation07:24 ...
Why Your Doctor is Measuring Your Fibromyalgia Wrong
Beyond the Pain Scale: Using WPI/SSS and FIQR to Measure Fibromyalgia Severity and Treatment ProgressThe script explains that fibromyalgia care often relies too heavily on a 1–10 pain scale, overlooking fatigue, unrefreshed sleep, brain...
Fibromyalgia or Sjogren's? (How to Tell the Difference)
Sjogren’s vs Fibromyalgia: Key Differences in Symptoms, Diagnosis, and TreatmentThe script explains why Sjogren’s disease and fibromyalgia are often confused due to overlapping pain and fatigue, noting studies suggesting over 30% overla...
She Lost Her OB-GYN Career to Chronic Pain—Then Got into Disability Insurance
Dr. Stephanie Pearson on Workplace Injury, Invisible Disability Claims, and Disability Insurance PitfallsDr. Stephanie Pearson, an OB-GYN, describes how a workplace shoulder injury during a delivery led to chronic pain, failed surgery o...
Small Fiber Neuropathy Doesn't Explain Fibromyalgia — Here's Why
Small Fiber Neuropathy and Fibromyalgia: Correlation, Not the CauseThe script examines why findings of small fiber neuropathy (SFN) in fibromyalgia created hope for an objective “proof” of pain, yet argues this link is often misinterpre...
11 Doctors in One Year
High-Masking Autism, Anxiety, and the Multi-System Pattern of Chronic Invisible IllnessDr. Michael Lenz reacts to Auticate's video on autistic health and connects it to fibromyalgia-like “multi-system” chronic invisible illness, describ...
These 3 Tests Reveal Your Real Heart Attack Risk
Three Blood Tests That Reveal Your True Heart Attack Risk: hsCRP, Lipoprotein(a), and ApoBDr. Michael Lenz argues the standard lipid panel can miss key drivers of atherosclerosis, explaining why some people with “normal” LDL still have ...
Chronic Pain? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
Chronic Illness, Hidden Heart Risk, and the Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) ScoreDr. Michael Lenz, a clinical lipidologist, explains that chronic illnesses involving pain, inflammation, or central sensitization (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis...
Sleep as the Engine of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia and the Hidden Sleep Disorder Fueling Your Pain: How Restorative Sleep Breaks the Vicious CycleThe script explains fibromyalgia as a real central nervous system disorder marked by widespread pain, crushing fatigue, and “fib...
The Diagnosis Gap: Why Fibromyalgia Gets Overlooked
Making the Invisible Visible: A Longitudinal, Validating Framework for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Illness CareThe script contrasts patients’ experiences of chronic pain, fatigue, and brain fog being dismissed despite normal tests with cli...
Doctor Reviews AG1: Is It Actually Better Than a Smoothie?
Why I Don’t Recommend AG1: A Cheaper, Higher-Fiber Whole-Food Smoothie AlternativeDoctor Michael Lenz critiques AG1/greens powders as expensive, marketing-driven products ($79 for 30 servings) that rely on proprietary blends with unclea...
Internal Tremors Aren't In Your Head (Here's What They Really Are)
Internal Tremors and Fibromyalgia: The Science Behind Invisible VibrationsThe script explains internal tremors (internal vibrations) as a subjective sensation of shaking or buzzing inside the body with little to no visible movement, oft...
Fibromyalgia and Gabapentinoids: The Missing Piece?
Gabapentin and Pregabalin Explained: Calming an Overactive Nervous System in Pain, RLS, Fibromyalgia, and SleepThe script explains gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) as neuromodulators that “turn down” an overexcited central ner...
Being Autistic Looks Nothing Like You Think (Psychologist Explains)
Adult Autism and Masking: Why Diagnosis Matters and How to Recognize What’s Beneath the SurfaceDr. Michael Lenz interviews clinical psychologist Donna Henderson, co-author with Sarah Wayland and Jamel White of “Is This Autism? A Guide f...
Austin River Walk And Fibromyalgia Reflections
Walk and Talk in Austin: Activity, Weather, and Fibromyalgia InsightsDr. Michael Lenz records a walk along the Lady Bird Lake trail in Austin, Texas, including views of downtown and the Congress Avenue “bat bridge,” explaining how bats ...
ADHD Meets Perimenopause: New Research Insights
Cohort Study Links ADHD to Earlier and More Severe Perimenopausal SymptomsThe episode reviews a population-based cohort study using the Icelandic SAGA cohort (women aged 35–55; n=5,392) examining perimenopausal symptom severity in women...
Trigeminal Neuralgia. It's MORE than you Realize
Trigeminal Neuralgia Beyond Nerve Pain: Marsha’s Racing, Menopause, and Advocacy StoryThe episode explores trigeminal neuralgia as more complex than a simple nerve injury, often overlapping with nociplastic chronic pain features like wi...
Fibromyalgia Is Not an Acceptable Diagnosis? Dr. Lenz Reacts
Should You Accept a Fibromyalgia Diagnosis? Evidence-Based Response to “Don’t Accept Fibro” ClaimsDr. Michael Lenz reacts to a naturopath’s claim that fibromyalgia is “not an acceptable diagnosis,” acknowledging that patients often feel...
Understanding the Interplay Between ADHD, Trauma, and PTSD with Dr Iris Manor
Dr. Iris Manor on ADHD, Trauma, PTSD, and Resilience: Risks, Mechanisms, and TreatmentThe host interviews Dr. Iris Manor, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and ADHD researcher, about links between ADHD and traumatic stress disorders, ...
Can Weather cause Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal Migraines, Weather, and Early Fibromyalgia Clues: Pediatric Case and Listener FeedbackThe episode shares insights on fibromyalgia-related problems with a focus on the role of weather and activity in flareups and how symptoms c...
Ep 242 Fibromyalgia in Men Goes Unrecognized
The Hidden Fibromyalgia Epidemic: How Bias Leaves Millions Undiagnosed—and How AI Can HelpThe script explains fibromyalgia as a chronic, long-term condition marked by widespread pain, profound fatigue, cognitive difficulties (“fibro fog...
Ep 241 FIVE Lesser Known Fibromyalgia Symptoms
5 Lesser-Known Symptoms of Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Hidden CluesThis episode addresses the frustration of constantly feeling pain and fatigue despite normal medical tests and discusses fibromyalgia as a possible cause. It highlig...
Ep. 240 Fibromyalgia Is Not An Acceptable Diagnosis?
Debunking Myths About Fibromyalgia Diagnosis: A Doctor's Reaction to Naturopathic ClaimsDr. Michael Lenz reacts to a naturopath's controversial statements about fibromyalgia diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based medici...
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