Do you live with widespread pain, persistent fatigue, poor sleep, or brain fog—even though your medical tests keep coming back normal? Or is someone you love struggling with symptoms that other people cannot see or understand?
Fibromyalgia is real, but patients are still frequently dismissed, misunderstood, or told that their suffering is “all in their head.”
In Episode 152 of The Dr. Haley Show, Dr. Michael Haley speaks with fibromyalgia wellness expert Tami Stackelhouse about what fibromyalgia feels like, how it is diagnosed, what may trigger or amplify its symptoms, and why a lack of answers does not mean that meaningful improvement is impossible.
Tami was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2007 and eventually became disabled by her symptoms. After working with healthcare providers and a health coach—and developing a more individualized approach to caring for her body—she reached what her physician described as fibromyalgia remission.
Tami explains why fibromyalgia may overlap with or resemble conditions such as hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease, ME/CFS, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, migraines, and sleep disorders. She also shares how discovering that she was waking approximately 45 times per hour changed her understanding of her own fatigue and pain.
Dr. Haley and Tami discuss:
• Why fibromyalgia is a real physical condition
• How fibromyalgia is diagnosed without one definitive test
• What fibromyalgia remission means
• Conditions that may mimic or accompany fibromyalgia
• Physical, emotional, and medical trauma as possible triggers
• Why fibromyalgia can amplify other sources of pain
• The importance of sleep and identifying sleep disorders
• How pacing helps patients budget limited energy
• The appropriate roles of medication and lifestyle changes
• Why knowing what to do is different from consistently doing it
• How a fibromyalgia coach complements medical care
• Nutrition, protein intake, and manageable dietary changes
• Mindset and learning to treat the body as an ally
• Tami’s Christian faith and how fibromyalgia gave her a deeper sense of purpose
• Why researchers should study people who have substantially improved
Tami also explains why she believes many people can feel considerably better. When Dr. Haley asks whether her estimate is supported by clinical research, she clearly identifies it as an observation drawn from her experience and coaching work rather than a published recovery rate.
ABOUT TAMI STACKELHOUSE
Tami Stackelhouse is an award-winning author, fibromyalgia wellness expert, founder of the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute, host of the Fibromyalgia Podcast®, and executive producer of the documentary INVISIBLE.
Today, Tami trains Certified Fibromyalgia Coaches® and Certified Fibromyalgia Advisors® and helps people develop individualized strategies for addressing pain, fatigue, poor sleep, brain fog, and the practical demands of living with fibromyalgia.
EPISODE RESOURCES
Complete show notes and transcript:
https://drhaley.com/fibromyalgia-not-all-in-your-head/
Tami Stackelhouse:
Fibromyalgia Podcast®:
https://fibromyalgiapodcast.com/
International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute:
https://fibromyalgiacoachinginstitute.com/
Download Take Back Your Life:
https://takebackyourlifebook.com/
Fibromyalgia Wellness Style℠ Quiz:
Find a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®:
INVISIBLE documentary:
https://www.invisible-film.com/
CONNECT WITH TAMI
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@fibromyalgiawellness
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/fibrocoach/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/fibrocoach/
X:
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamistackelhouse
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/fibrocoach/
CONNECT WITH THE DR. HALEY SHOW
Website:
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-haley-show/id1573943789
If this episode helped you understand fibromyalgia differently, please follow The Dr. Haley Show and share this conversation with someone living with chronic pain, fatigue, poor sleep, or brain fog.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The experiences and opinions discussed are those of the speakers and should not replace diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Do not begin, discontinue, or change any medication, supplement, diet, or treatment based solely on this episode.