Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired: Fatigue and Chronic Pain

Podcast 20: Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired – Fatigue and Chronic Pain features Dr. Ian Boggero discussing the complex relationship between chronic pain and fatigue. He distinguishes between localized fatigue, which is tied to physical exertion, and generalized fatigue—a persistent, overwhelming tiredness not relieved by rest. Chronic pain patients often report fatigue as more debilitating than pain itself, affecting cognitive function, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Dr. Boggero emphasizes the importance of recognizing fatigue as a core component of the pain experience, not just a secondary symptom. He advocates for clinicians to routinely assess fatigue through conversation or validated tools like the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory and PROMIS. Treatment requires a holistic approach, addressing sleep, diet, exercise, mental health, and medication side effects. His upcoming NIH-funded research aims to evaluate psychological interventions for masticatory myofascial pain and understand mechanisms behind their effectiveness.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the difference between acute localized fatigue and generalized chronic fatigue
• Outline the impact on quality of life of fatigue in chronic pain populations
• Describe the relationship of fatigue, poor sleep, and chronic pain

This continuing education activity is worth 0.75 credits.