What if the fatigue, pain, and brain fog you have been told is just stress or aging actually has a name, and a path forward? In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K sits down with Linda Fraas, a former occupational therapist turned certified fibromyalgia health coach, who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia herself after nearly 30 years of treating patients with chronic conditions. Linda shares what it actually felt like to be dismissed by a physical therapist who told her the pain was all in her head, and how she went from carrying heavy equipment through daily flare ups to walking two and a half miles several times a week on zero fibromyalgia medication.
The conversation breaks down what fibromyalgia is, why it is still so hard to diagnose, and the tools that helped Linda reclaim her life: energy conservation, sleep hygiene, an anti-inflammatory diet, gentle daily movement, and a functional medicine approach that looks past a normal blood panel to catch what is actually driving the flare ups. If you or someone you love has been told there is nothing more that can be done for their pain, this episode offers a different way forward.
Key Takeaways:
1:11 From occupational therapist to living with fibromyalgia herself
3:29 What fibromyalgia actually is and why it is so hard to diagnose
6:34 A physical therapist told her the pain was all in her head
8:43 The phone battery analogy for a fibromyalgia flare up
14:27 The diet and movement changes that got her off all medication
25:54 Why functional medicine digs deeper than a normal blood panel
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Resources Mentioned:
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.
What is Integrative Lyme Solutions with Dr. Karlfeldt?
Struggling with chronic Lyme disease and not getting answers from conventional medicine?
Integrative Lyme Solutions with Dr. Michael Karlfeldt explores evidence-based, integrative approaches to chronic Lyme disease, tick-borne illness, and co-infections — including Bartonella, Babesia, and Ehrlichia — through expert interviews and real patient recovery stories.
Lyme disease is known as the "great imitator" because its symptoms overlap with dozens of complex conditions, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Many patients spend years misdiagnosed or dismissed after false-negative Western blot results. This podcast cuts through the confusion with practical insights on functional medicine, herbal antimicrobials, detoxification, immune support, nervous system healing, and other integrative therapies that support long-term recovery.
With over 35 years of clinical experience, Dr. Karlfeldt brings the knowledge of a Lyme literate naturopathic doctor to every episode — helping patients and caregivers reduce their research time, ask better questions, and find a path forward.