Fibromyalgia. Living With Invisible Pain
A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and FamiliesBy H. Hoffmann
Length9h 19m
About this audiobook
Millions of people live with fibromyalgia – a pain no one can see. This comprehensive guide walks patients and families through everything that matters: the condition and how central sensitization works, prevalence and causes, symptoms in depth, why diagnosis takes years, the most persistent myths, medication and non-pharmacological therapies, daily life and pacing, nutrition, mental health and over 20 frequently asked questions. Honest, compassionate and without false promises. By H. Hoffmann.
Audiobook details
GenreHealth and Wellness
Length9 hrs 19 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJul 27, 2026
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Chapter 0
129Living With an Invisible Companion
2Chapter 2: What Is Fibromyalgia?
130Energy Management and Pacing
3Chapter 3: Prevalence, Age and Gender
131The Spoon Theory
4Chapter 4: Causes and Risk Factors
132Pacing in Practice
5Chapter 5: Symptoms in Detail
133Work and Career
Show all chaptersShow less
6Chapter 6: Diagnosis
134Options in the Workplace
7Chapter 7: Myths and Misconceptions
135Workplace Accommodations and Disability
8Chapter 8: Medication
136Partnership
9Chapter 9: Non-Pharmacological Therapies
137Family and Children
10Chapter 10: Daily Life With Fibromyalgia
138Friendships
11Chapter 11: Nutrition and Lifestyle
139Dealing With Lack of Understanding
12Chapter 12: Mental Health and Wellbeing
140Aids for Daily Life
13Chapter 13: Frequently Asked Questions
141Managing Flares
14Chapter 14: Resources, Support and Outlook
142Travel
15Glossary
143Self-Care
16Closing Words
144Chapter 11: Nutrition and Lifestyle
17Chapter 1: Introduction
145Food as Part of Therapy
18A Condition That Stayed in the Dark for Too Long
146Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition
19Who Is This Book For?
147Possible Trigger Foods
20What to Expect From This Book
148Glutamate
21How to Use This Book
149Aspartame and Sugar
22Why This Book?
150Histamine
23Chapter 2: What Is Fibromyalgia?
151Important Micronutrients
24The Name and What It Reveals
152Magnesium
25What Fibromyalgia Is Not
153Vitamin D
26A Brief History
154Omega-3 Fatty Acids
27Central Sensitization, the Core Mechanism
155B Vitamins
28How the Nervous System Is Affected
156Alcohol and Caffeine
29Tender Points and Modern Diagnostic Criteria
157Smoking
30Current State of Research
158Body Weight
31Chapter 3: Prevalence, Age and Gender
159Stress Reduction as a Lifestyle
32How Widespread Is Fibromyalgia?
160Screen Time
33The Main Age of Onset
161Chapter 12: Mental Health and Wellbeing
34Fibromyalgia in Children and Adolescents
162The Invisible Struggle Behind the Pain
35Fibromyalgia in Older Adults
163Why Depression and Anxiety Are So Common
36Why Are Women So Much More Often Affected?
164The Chicken and Egg Problem
37Hormonal Factors
165Trauma as a Risk Factor
38Neurological Differences
166When the Pain Becomes Unbearable
39Psychosocial Factors
167Self-Worth and Identity
40Fibromyalgia in Men, an Underestimated Problem
168Grieving the Former Self
41The High Number of Unreported Cases
169Building Resilience
42Chapter 4: Causes and Risk Factors
170Acceptance and Mindfulness
43No Single Trigger
171Mindfulness Exercises for Everyday Life
44Genetic Factors
172When to Seek Professional Help
45Stress and the Overactivated Stress Axis
173Crisis Resources
46Trauma as a Risk Factor
174Chapter 13: Frequently Asked Questions
47Physical Triggers
175Is Fibromyalgia Curable?
48Accidents and Injuries
176Can I Work With Fibromyalgia?
49Surgery
177Which Doctor Is the Right Contact?
50Infections
178Can I Receive Disability Benefits?
51Sleep Disturbances, Cause and Consequence at Once
179What Do I Do During a Pain Flare?
52The Hormone System
180Am I Allowed to Exercise?
53What Does Not Cause Fibromyalgia
181Are My Children at Risk?
54Chapter 5: Symptoms in Detail
182Does Cannabis Help With Fibromyalgia?
55More Than Just Pain
183Is Fibromyalgia an Autoimmune Disease?
56Chronic, Widespread Pain
184Can Fibromyalgia Be Confused With Other Conditions?
57Fatigue, the Paralyzing Exhaustion
185How Do I Explain Fibromyalgia to My Family?
58Sleep Disturbances and Unrefreshing Sleep
186What Role Does Sleep Play?
59Fibro Fog, the Haze in the Head
187Are There New Therapies in Research?
60Morning Stiffness
188How Long Until Medications Work?
61Headaches and Migraines
189Can I Have Children With Fibromyalgia?
62Irritable Bowel and Bladder Symptoms
190Does Fibromyalgia Get Worse With Age?
63Restless Legs Syndrome
191What Is the Difference From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
64Sensory Hypersensitivity
192What Immediate Measures Help With Pain?
65Numbness and Tingling
193Are There Self-Tests?
66Anxiety and Depression
194Why Do Some Doctors Not Believe Me?
67Course of the Condition: Flares and Calmer Phases
195Can Stress Alone Cause Fibromyalgia?
68Chapter 6: Diagnosis
196How Do I Deal With Guilt?
69The Most Difficult Diagnosis in Rheumatology
197Chapter 14: Resources, Support and Outlook
70Which Doctor Is Responsible?
198You Are Not Alone
71Rheumatologist
199Support Organizations
72Pain Specialist
200National Fibromyalgia Association
73Primary Care Physician
201American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association
74Neurologist and Psychotherapist
202American Chronic Pain Association
75The Nineteen Ninety Criteria
203Fibromyalgia Action UK
76The Criteria From Twenty Ten and Twenty Sixteen
204Online Communities
77Why Does Diagnosis Take So Long?
205Recommended Reading
78Differential Diagnoses
206Apps and Digital Tools
79Blood Tests and Imaging
207What Research Plans Next
80Tips for the Doctor's Appointment
208Glossary
81Chapter 7: Myths and Misconceptions
209Key Terms From A to Z
82Myth One: Fibromyalgia Is Imagined
210Closing Words
83Myth Two: Only Women Get Fibromyalgia
211Chapter 2: What Is Fibromyalgia?
84Myth Three: Fibromyalgia Is a Form of Arthritis
212Chapter 3: Prevalence, Age and Gender
85Myth Four: More Exercise Makes You Healthy
213Chapter 4: Causes and Risk Factors
86Myth Five: Fibromyalgia Is Curable, You Just Have to Want It
214Chapter 5: Symptoms in Detail
87Myth Six: Fibromyalgia Is a Fashionable Diagnosis
215Chapter 6: Diagnosis
88Myth Seven: People Affected Are Just Tired
216Chapter 7: Myths and Misconceptions
89Myth Eight: Fibromyalgia Is Not Dangerous
217Chapter 8: Medication
90Myth Nine: You Cannot See It, So It Cannot Be That Bad
218Chapter 9: Non-Pharmacological Therapies
91Myth Ten: Strong Painkillers Work Best
219Chapter 10: Daily Life With Fibromyalgia
92Chapter 8: Medication
220Chapter 11: Nutrition and Lifestyle
93Why Classical Painkillers Barely Help
221Chapter 12: Mental Health and Wellbeing
94Antidepressants, the First Choice
222Chapter 13: Frequently Asked Questions
95Duloxetine
223Chapter 14: Resources, Support and Outlook
96Milnacipran
224Glossary
97Amitriptyline
225Closing Words
98Anticonvulsants
226Chapter 2: What Is Fibromyalgia?
99Pregabalin
227Chapter 3: Prevalence, Age and Gender
100Gabapentin
228Chapter 4: Causes and Risk Factors
101Tramadol, With Caution
229Chapter 5: Symptoms in Detail
102Sleep Medications
230Chapter 6: Diagnosis
103Approval Status
231Chapter 7: Myths and Misconceptions
104Combination Therapies
232Chapter 8: Medication
105What Research Is Developing
233Chapter 9: Non-Pharmacological Therapies
106The Medication Diary
234Chapter 10: Daily Life With Fibromyalgia
107Chapter 9: Non-Pharmacological Therapies
235Chapter 11: Nutrition and Lifestyle
108The Most Important Part of Treatment
236Chapter 12: Mental Health and Wellbeing
109Exercise Therapy, the Most Effective Single Tool
237Chapter 13: Frequently Asked Questions
110Aerobic Exercise
238Chapter 14: Resources, Support and Outlook
111Water Aerobics
239Glossary
112Yoga
240Closing Words
113Tai Chi
241Chapter 2: What Is Fibromyalgia?
114Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
242Chapter 3: Prevalence, Age and Gender
115The Multimodal Pain Program
243Chapter 4: Causes and Risk Factors
116Physiotherapy and Manual Therapy
244Chapter 5: Symptoms in Detail
117Relaxation Techniques
245Chapter 6: Diagnosis
118Progressive Muscle Relaxation
246Chapter 7: Myths and Misconceptions
119Autogenic Training
247Chapter 8: Medication
120Biofeedback
248Chapter 9: Non-Pharmacological Therapies
121Breathing Exercises
249Chapter 10: Daily Life With Fibromyalgia
122Heat and Cold Applications
250Chapter 11: Nutrition and Lifestyle
123Acupuncture
251Chapter 12: Mental Health and Wellbeing
124Occupational Therapy
252Chapter 13: Frequently Asked Questions
125Psychotherapy and Trauma Work
253Chapter 14: Resources, Support and Outlook
126TENS, Electrical Nerve Stimulation
254Glossary
127Sleep Hygiene as a Therapy Component
255Closing Words
128Chapter 10: Daily Life With Fibromyalgia
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