Is Fibromyalgia an Autoimmune Disorder? with Dr. Ginevra
“Whenever there's a lot of interest and dollars put into fibromyalgia research, patients only stand to benefit.” - Dr. Ginevra Liptan During the pandemic, a potentially game-changing research article showed us that the immune system is involved in creating fibromyalgia pain. The results of this study were remarkable and began to address one of the most common questions about fibromyalgia - whether it is an autoimmune condition. It’s a huge question and an important one for us to keep asking because, at the end of the day, we need more research. For this episode, Tami interviews Dr. Ginevra Liptan, fibromyalgia specialist and author of The Fibro Manual and The Fibro Food Formula. Tami and Dr. Ginevra discuss the game-changing mouse antibody study that showed the involvement of the immune system in fibromyalgia pain and the potential autoimmune component, how the study could potentially change the treatment approach for fibromyalgia, why Dr. Ginevra is hopeful for significant progress within a decade, fibromyalgia as an orphan disease that no speciality wants to claim, the relationship between antibodies and fibromyalgia symptoms, Dr. Ginevra’s hypothesis on how and why central sensitization is triggered in fibromyalgia, the complexity of the immune system and the challenges in understanding it, the misconception that inflammation is not involved in fibromyalgia, potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for fibromyalgia and other conditions, the upcoming Stanza app which uses behavioral therapy techniques to calm the fight or flight response, Tonix pharmaceuticals' phase three trial for a new fibromyalgia medication, exploring the possibility of transmitting fibromyalgia symptoms through blood donation, the search for effective fibromyalgia treatments, how to navigate the overwhelming and confusing nature new fibromyalgia research, the role of intuition and personal research in choosing treatment, recognizing that there is no magic bullet solution, why we advocate for combining different approaches for better results, 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®.