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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.

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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

00:00 A Mysterious Case
00:59 Years of Unexplained Pain
02:19 The Hidden Connection
03:08 The Breakthrough Diagnosis
04:03 Understanding the Science
04:52 Sensory Processing Differences
06:13 ADHD and Pain Regulation
07:24 Amplifying Factors
08:36 Diagnostic Overshadowing
09:52 The Treatment Breakthrough
10:40 Miraculous Results
11:40 Multidisciplinary Approaches
12:07 Community and Support
12:43 Important Disclaimer
13:07 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

Beyond the Pain Scale: Using WPI/SSS and FIQR to Measure Fibromyalgia Severity and Treatment Progress

The script explains that fibromyalgia care often relies too heavily on a 1–10 pain scale, overlooking fatigue, unrefreshed sleep, brain fog, and daily function, which leaves patients feeling unheard and clinicians without clear data. It describes how the American College of Rheumatology shifted from the 1990 tender point exam to revised criteria (2010, refined in 2011 and 2016) using two quick questionnaires: the Fibromyalgia Survey Criteria—Widespread Pain Index (19 pain regions) plus Symptom Severity Score (fatigue, unrefreshed sleep, cognitive symptoms, plus headaches/abdominal pain/depression), combined as the PSD—and the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), a 21-item measure of function, overall impact, and symptoms scored 0–100. Examples show how these tools provide baselines, track change, guide treatment adjustments, and capture clinically meaningful improvement beyond pain alone.

00:00 Beyond the Pain Scale
01:04 Why Fibro Gets Missed
03:36 Old Criteria to New Tools
04:30 Two Key Questionnaires
05:45 Widespread Pain Index
07:49 Symptom Severity Score
09:35 Diagnosis and Tracking Baseline
10:50 Advocating at Appointments
11:22 FIQR Daily Function
12:59 FIQR Impact and Symptoms
15:51 Meaningful Improvement Benchmarks
16:16 Using Both Tools Together
19:05 Tracking Life Factors Over Time
20:35 Wrap Up and Next Steps

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...