Ask the Coach – Fibromyalgia Podcast®

Episode 100: Can a Coach Help ME? Ask the Coach

January 17, 2023

So much healing happens when you talk to somebody who truly understands you.

One of the more common questions Tami receives is a variation of “Can you actually help me?” Sometimes this comes up because you’re worried that you’re too sick; sometimes, it’s the opposite. Maybe you’ve tried so many things that you’re afraid to get your hopes up and try something new. At the core, all these questions come up because people feel uncertain about whether fibromyalgia coaching would work for their unique situation.

For today’s episode, Tami talks through the most common questions about working with a fibromyalgia coach and shares the key areas to think about when considering whether to work with a coach. Her intention for today is to help you gain clarity on what might be the right choice for you.

In this conversation, Tami shares the core principle of fibromyalgia coaching, what it means for a coaching relationship to be client-led, the two elements that must be in place for you to see positive results from coaching, what to do if your resources are limited, why working with a coach is the best way to see results, remembering that scheduling a consultation is only a commitment for showing up for that consultation – nothing more, what you can expect from fibromyalgia coaching, how a coach can support you in different phases of your health journey, how long it takes to see results, the typical level of improvement Tami sees with her clients, the critical distinction between a coach and a doctor, what it would look like to have a fibromyalgia coach on your team, the advantages of working with someone who understands what you’re going through from personal experience, what a coach is not, who is a good fit for hiring a coach, and more.

Episode 90: FDA-Approved Fibromyalgia Medications: Ask the Coach

August 30, 2022

“I’d like to try Lyrica, but I worry about if I ever had to come off. Should I try it?”

For today’s Ask The Coach episode, I’m answering this question sent in by Sarah in the UK.

When treating fibromyalgia, we have to attack it from two sides. The first is addressing the fibromyalgia itself and the amplification of pain signals; the second is treating the pain that your fibromyalgia amplifies.

In most cases, fibromyalgia medications are more helpful than harmful and can be a valuable tool to break the pain cycle.

That said, the question of medications is complex and impossible to cover in detail in a podcast episode. Tami’s primary focus for this answer will be on fibromyalgia medications that address the amplification of pain signals, how they work, and the most important aspects you’ll want to consider.

In this episode, Tami discusses the FDA-approved medications for fibromyalgia, the fact that no single drug is capable of managing all fibromyalgia symptoms, Tami’s two-pronged approach to treating fibromyalgia, the main goal of fibromyalgia medications, Lyrica’s history and previous versions, how Lyrica and Neurontin work to reduce our experience of our pain, common side effects of Lyrica, physical dependency versus addiction, how serotonin and norepinephrine affect pain levels, why the anti-depressants Savella and Cymbalta also help to address fibromyalgia symptoms, the mode of action of other anti-depressants that are sometimes prescribed for fibromyalgia, Cymbalta is known for being challenging to come off of, the importance of very slowly weaning off of medications, the gradual process Tami used when she was ready to come off of her medications, why we hear more stories about negative experiences, the fact that there’s no morality in taking medication, and more.

Episode 74: Something Is Better Than Nothing

January 18, 2022

I’m so excited to be bring you this first new episode of 2022!
Today, we’re going to be talking a little bit about perfectionism. Specifically, how it’s actually holding you back from feeling as good as you could.
In this episode, I share some examples where perfectionism may have gotten in your way, how the social media highlight reels of others helps fuel our desire for our lives to be perfect, my own experience letting perfectionism get in the way of my doctor-recommended diet, the exercise I want you to perform to gauge how often perfectionism is getting in your way, my wish and goal for you in 2022, a quote from Teddy Roosevelt that perfectly sums up today’s topic, and more.

Episode 73: When Everything Goes Wrong

November 9, 2021

Do you ever have those days or periods in your life where it seems like everything is going wrong? If so, you’re not alone.

That’s why, this week, Tami is talking about what she does when everything goes wrong for her.

In this episode, Tami shares how it’s okay to not be okay, the stressful situation she’s been experiencing with her beloved cat that has resulted in more than one sleepless night, how it can be a struggle to find a balance between our reality of experiencing fibromyalgia symptoms and not giving into negativity, the main thing she does when everything is going wrong, how she takes care of the essentials during these times, the bio hacks involving brain chemistry she utilizes to help her get through times when things go wrong, the difference between a coach and counselor (and which one might be more appropriate for you), and more.

Episode 72: Is Your Fibromyalgia Treatment Working

October 26, 2021

Tami is continuing this week with the What Does Tami Do series by answering a question one of her clients asked her a few weeks ago.

In this episode, Tami explains whether or not she follows a particular protocol to manage her fibromyalgia or if she continually tries new things, how she knows if a particular treatment is working for her, six things people do wrong when they’re trying new fibromyalgia treatments, and more.

Episode 71: Managing Headaches: What Does Tami Do?

October 12, 2021

In the last episode, Tami answered a listener’s question about what she does to keep her fibromyalgia in remission. Since releasing that episode, she received quite a few follow-up questions about her migraines and chronic headaches.

So, consider this episode a sort of part two of WDTD (What Does Tami Do) where she’s giving more details about her journey with headaches and what she does to manage them now.

In this episode, she shares how the chronic migraines she experienced as a teen led to her first chronic diagnosis, why she generally ignored her headaches for most of her life, the anti-seizure medication her doctor prescribed to help treat her migraines, why she had to stop taking that medication after a year even though it was actually helping to ease her migraines, how her husband was the catalyst for seeking additional treatment for her migraines back around 2013, how getting Botox injections were the first game-changer for her, the second game-changer that came in the form of a monthly injection, common headache triggers, some general suggestions for reducing your headaches, and more.

Episode 70: Keeping Fibromyalgia In Remission: What Does Tami Do?

September 28, 2021

Do you wonder exactly what Tami does to keep her fibromyalgia in remission? Are you looking for an example of what life really looks like when you’re successfully managing your fibromyalgia?

You’re not the only one! A listener recently asked — and Tami answered — these exact questions.

In this Ask the Coach, Tami covers exactly what she has done over the last 14 years to bring her fibromyalgia into remission: The medication and supplement regime she follows, other conditions she’s been diagnosed with, integrative therapies that have been helpful, and the attitude that helped most on her journey.

And yes — you will actually hear the specific medications and supplements Tami took at the beginning of her journey, and what she takes now. (You’ll be surprised!)

Episode 69: Just Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia… What Do I Do Now? Ask the Coach

September 14, 2021

Have you been recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia? Did you leave your doctor’s office with more questions than answers? Or are you overwhelmed with information? Are you wondering, “What do I do now?”

In this episode, Tami covers the first steps of her own journey, as well as where she begins working with her students and clients. The ten steps in this episode include five things you can begin doing right away, on your own, with or without your doctor’s help; the other five you’ll want to work with your doctor on to get the best results. Tami has also included a list of Fibromyalgia Podcast episodes and resources perfect for anyone who is newly diagnosed, or simply wants to get back to basics.

There is so much that can be done to improve fibromyalgia symptoms and pain. Information can be confusing and overwhelming. Start with the steps in this episode to build a solid foundation that will help you feel your best — and help your providers help you more effectively!

Episode 60: How Do I Rebuild My Confidence? Ask the Coach

April 27, 2021 33:36

When you’re diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it can be a huge hit to your confidence. You may have trouble doing many of the things that have defined you: career, hobbies, friends.

In addition, let’s not forget the unpredictable nature of fibromyalgia! It can be difficult to make plans because you never know if you’re going to have a good day or a bad day. When you do make plans, you may have to cancel — another hit to your confidence.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can become more confident, knowing that whatever happens, you have the tools and knowledge needed to cut your fibro flares short and get back to feeling your best.

In this Ask the Coach episode, Tami answers the foundational question, “How Can I Rebuild My Confidence?” and gives three tips for how you can reclaim your confidence in your fibromyalgia body.

For more information, free copies of Tami’s books, and full show notes visit: FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/60.

Episode 50: Should I Take Medication For Fibromyalgia? Ask The Coach

November 24, 2020 42:46

In this Ask the Coach episode, Tami answers the question, “Should I take medication for fibromyalgia?”

The good news is that there are many ways of treating fibromyalgia. It’s not a choice between medication or nothing! Instead, you get to choose whether or not medication is the right choice for you AND if you want to try other treatment options.

Tami gives six key points to consider as you make your choice. As always, anyone wishing assistance in this decision-making process should consider scheduling a consultation for more personalized assistance.

Podcast: Ask the Coach