Fibromyalgia Podcast® – Details, episodes & analysis

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®.

“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®.

Today, I have another bonus episode for you. Back in April, I was interviewed by Adam Devaney for the Loving Our Life’s Work Podcast, and Adam has graciously agreed to let me share that conversation with you.

In our conversation, we explore our purpose, authenticity, and the transformative power of self-discovery. I specifically dive into how I came to be doing the work I do today helping you feel better and how that truly is my life’s work.

This is a side of my story I don’t discuss very often and I’m excited to share with you.

If you enjoy this episode, please check out Adam DeVaney's Loving Our Life's Work Podcast.

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®.

Due to circumstances beyond her control, Tami was unable to record a new episode this week. Join us on September 14, 2021 for our next episode.

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

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus — the endometrium — grows outside the uterus. It's one of the most common causes of pelvic pain and infertility. Many women with fibromyalgia who are experiencing pelvic pain, painful periods, and more may also be dealing with endometriosis.

Listen in as Tami interviews Dr. Jessica Drummond about what endometriosis is, how to distinguish between fibromyalgia pain and endometriosis, and how she addresses endometriosis in her clinic.

You may have fibromyalgia, but that doesn't mean all of your pain is only fibromyalgia. Conditions like endometriosis are very treatable. Addressing these other causes of pain help to lower your overall fibromyalgia pain levels.

For more information, links to Dr. Drummond's clinic and books, plus free copies of Tami's books, visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/68.

On average, the clients interviewed in this episode have reduced the impact of fibromyalgia on their lives by 50%. Their average FIQR scores went from 52 down to 26. In this episode, they share how they were able to accomplish this.

You’ll hear how Dawn took immediate steps to feel better after her diagnosis — and how some tough love from her coach helped her make some necessary changes.

Nichi shares why she chose to hire a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, even though she has one of the top fibromyalgia doctors in the world as her personal physician. She also shares how learning the "why" behind everything helped keep her motivated.

After dealing with fibromyalgia symptoms for 20+ years, Penny discovered just how much there was to learn, and how many ways to feel better that her doctors had never explored with her.

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

To schedule a consultation with a coach, download free copies of Tami's books, view the interview videos and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/67.

After Episode 64, we received a question from a listener about using a weighted blanket — or asking to keep the x-ray shield on — during her dental visit. This led Tami to have a conversation with her favorite hygienist, Julie, and six more tips.

If you haven't yet, make sure you check out Episode 64 for even more tips. In the meantime, know that your dentist wants you to be as comfortable as possible. Ask for what you need!

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

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.

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.

Have you gotten your COVID vaccine yet? If not, you'll definitely want to hear this episode! Even if you've only received one of two shots, the information in this episode could help you minimize reactions from the vaccine.

In this episode, Tami shares her experience getting her own vaccine, including what other clients, friends, and family have experienced. In fact, between all the members of Tami's family, they've tried all three COVID vaccines!

With special permission from her doctor, Tami will also share a protocol designed to support your immune system, reduce any overactive immune response, and minimize any negative effects of the vaccine. Tami followed a similar protocol prior to and during her vaccine. Consider taking this the information to your doctor to see if it's right for you and your situation.

For more information, free copies of Tami's books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/63.