Conquering Your Fibromyalgia Podcast

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Autism Acceptance Month Series: Beyond Awareness to Sensory Truth, Masking, and Invisible Illness

The script introduces an April autism acceptance month video series aimed at moving beyond awareness to genuine acceptance by explaining the lived experience of autism, especially profound sensory differences, masking, routines as safety, and meltdowns as overwhelm rather than tantrums. It frames autism as a different way of being human in a world built for one “type of brain,” and highlights links between autism, ADHD, and chronic invisible illnesses. The series features guides including Dr. Megan Anna Neff (burnout, unmasking, self-care), Dr. Barry Prizant (autistic behaviors as coping strategies), Dr. Jennifer Frazier (bullying’s brain impacts and healing), and memoirist Leland Vitter (resilience and family support). Weekly topics include neurodiversity, harms of functioning labels, late diagnosis, masking, burnout, sensory self-care, bullying and gaslighting, advocacy, and revisiting the highly sensitive person concept with 2026 understanding.

00:00 Sensory Overload Walkthrough
00:23 Autism Acceptance Mission
00:48 Beyond Social Struggles
01:25 Masking Routines Meltdowns
01:59 Meet the Expert Guides
02:27 Dr Prizant Uniquely Human
02:53 Bullying Brain Science
03:17 Leland Vitter Story
03:39 Week by Week Roadmap
03:54 Late Diagnosis Unmasking
04:07 Self Care and Sensory Tools
04:16 Systems Solutions Advocacy
04:35 HSP and High Masking
04:56 More Than a Series
05:11 Join the Comments
05:20 Changing the Lens
05:59 Closing and Next Episode
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Support the show
When I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope.  If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD.

Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions
2026 POTS Guidelines: What They Update—and the Biggest Blind Spots (Hypermobility, Neurodivergence, and Root Causes)

The script reviews the new 2026 POTS Guidelines, noting improvements such as formalized diagnostic criteria, recognition of symptoms beyond tachycardia (GI issues, chronic pain, cognitive dysfunction), and first-line nonpharmacological strategies (fluids/sodium, compression) with a tiered medication approach before graded exercise. It argues the guidelines still miss key drivers for many patients by treating POTS too much as a standalone cardiac issue and failing to emphasize hypermobility/EDS as a common underlying structural cause, including not mandating routine hypermobility screening. It also highlights a major omission: the well-documented triad linking POTS, hypermobility, and neurodivergence (ADHD/autism), arguing that screening and support for neurodivergence can improve brain fog, stress/burnout, and even pain, and that ignoring this skews treatment toward cardiac drugs. The video further situates POTS within overlapping syndromes like fibromyalgia and ME/CFS and cites a 2026 case-control study connecting chronic pain/fatigue with higher odds of likely autism/ADHD, mediated by joint hypermobility, urging a more holistic diagnostic and treatment approach.

00:00 Why Guidelines Miss You
01:09 What 2026 Adds
02:23 The Missing Why
02:53 Hypermobility Blind Spot
05:03 Neurodivergence Omission
07:25 Treatment Algorithm Flaws
09:42 Bigger Syndrome Constellation
11:50 Key Takeaways Recap
12:53 Advocate and Share
13:36 Final Thoughts
Click here for the YouTube Channel 
Support the show
When I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope.  If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD.

Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions
The 2026 Cholesterol Revolution: PREVENT Scores, Hidden Risk Markers, and CAC Scans

The script explains how 2026 ACC/AHA guideline changes aim to make heart attacks more preventable by shifting from short-term “10-year risk” thinking to “lower for longer,” precision prevention, and primordial prevention starting earlier in life. It critiques the older Pooled Cohort Equations for underestimating risk in younger people and introduces the PREVENT equation, which adds 30-year risk plus kidney, metabolic, and social factors. It highlights lipoprotein(a) as a largely genetic once-in-a-lifetime test and hs-CRP as an inflammation marker, and emphasizes coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring as a tiebreaker for statin decisions (0, 1–99, ≥100). Cases illustrate these tools, including tighter LDL goals (<70 for high risk, <55 for very high risk/secondary prevention) and expanded therapies (statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, bempedoic acid) alongside whole-food plant-based diet, exercise, and smoking cessation, with a 30-day action plan.

00:00 Heart Disease Wake Up
01:24 Why Old Risk Scores Failed
02:18 A Personal Time Bomb
03:29 Three Big Guideline Shifts
05:53 Prevent Score Explained
07:56 Hidden Risks Lp(a) hsCRP
10:52 Calcium Score Reality Check
13:52 Real Patient Stories
17:06 Modern Meds And Myths
19:58 Chronic Pain Connection
21:45 Doctor Checklist And Challenge
24:25 Choose Your Future
Click here for the YouTube Channel 
Click here for the YouTube channel
Support the show
When I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope.  If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD.

Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions
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 "mindbody syndrome" through a neurodevelopmental lens. Learn how understanding the intricate connection between the brain and pain and the role of emotions and pain can help manage conditions like nociplastic pain, offering strategies for healing and regulation.
Imagine Sarah, living with chronic widespread pain for over a decade, her muscles and joints constantly aching, waking up exhausted. This video introduces the concept of "tension myositis syndrome" (TMS), explaining it as a condition where the brain generates pain, challenging traditional biomedical approaches. We explore Dr. John Sarno's work and suggest a "nociplastic pain" lens, including strategies for managing "sensory overload" and regulating "neurodiversity" systems, offering new perspectives on "chronic pain" within the framework of "mindbody syndrome."
Imagine Sarah, living with chronic widespread pain for over a decade, her muscles and joints constantly aching, waking up exhausted. This video introduces the concept of "tension myositis syndrome" (TMS), explaining it as a condition where the brain generates pain, challenging traditional biomedical approaches. We explore Dr. John Sarno's work and suggest a "nociplastic pain" lens, including strategies for managing "sensory overload" and regulating "neurodiversity" systems, offering new perspectives on "chronic pain" within the framework of "mindbody syndrome."
Click here for the YouTube Channel 
Support the show
When I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope.  If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD.

Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions
Navigating ADHD and Chronic Pain: Dr. Kerry Shea's Journey from OB GYN to ADHD Coach

In 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 ADHD and chronic pain, including a diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia, and her struggles with various other invisible illnesses like endometriosis. Carrie explains how these challenges impacted her career in medicine and her eventual shift to coaching. She also touches upon the importance of understanding neurodivergence, the impact of chronic pain, and the necessity of a holistic approach to health and wellness. By sharing her story, Dr. Shea aims to validate the experiences of many who face similar issues and provide insight into coping strategies and the importance of seeking support.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Kerry Shea
01:23 Carrie's Background and ADHD Diagnosis
02:51 Medical Career and Chronic Pain Journey
03:36 Struggles with Trigeminal Neuralgia and Work Environment
05:40 Navigating the Medical System as a Patient
07:16 Transition to ADHD Coaching
07:45 Early Life and ADHD Awareness
11:21 Chronic Pain and Neurodivergence
16:57 Impact of ADHD on Medical Career
28:34 Decision to Go on Disability
37:11 The Challenges of Medical Specialties
37:45 Physical Demands of OB-GYN
38:12 Advice for Pre-Med and Med Students
38:45 Chronic Pain and Early Symptoms
39:38 Restless Leg Syndrome and ADHD
42:41 Managing Restless Leg Syndrome
48:05 Neurodivergence and Chronic Pain
50:42 The Importance of Good Sleep
58:55 Physician Burnout and Neurodivergence
01:07:49 ADHD Coaching and Support
01:11:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Click here for the YouTube Channel 
Click here for the YouTube channel
International Conference on ADHD in November 2025 where Dr. Lenz will be one of the speakers.
Joy Lenz
Fibromyalgia 101. A list of fibromyalgia podcast episodes that are great if you are new and don't know where to start.
Support the show
When I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope.  If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD.

Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...