Thanks Louise, once again! I don’t often hear from either musicians or artists of any kind and it has left me wondering if those who are artistic are not as prone to fibromyalgia?! Maybe the ways in which the brain mappings of those who are artistic differ considerably from the rest of us. Once again, I have many more questions than answers but would love to see a brain research project with other kinds of artists other than the musicians! But even more interesting combining such artists as yourself as you are painting and listening to music at the same time. Still, since my interest is in fibromyalgia it wouldn’t answer my questions specifically. Certainly in playing bridge focus is paramount (and unfortunately very competitive), yet it challenges the brain and those of us with brain fog need that kind of concentration. Within the next decade I suspect we will be overwhelmed with brain information that may be of help with those of us with such conditions as fibromyalgia, migraines, chronic fatigue, allergies and other dis-eases.

Your ideas about music, and adding it to the bridge arena, are very interesting. The kind of music I listen to in my painting studio dictates the way I paint. Of course, I choose the style …. blues, rock, or classical in order to access the essence of personal expression. It is extremely difficult to go from studio directly to bridge..a brain shift is necessary and sometimes it doesn’t happen. To be open, unguarded, sensitive, multifocused, perceptive and honest are the basic qualities I possess and need to have in order to respond with paint and subject matter. I believe the exact opposite qualities are needed to succeed at duplicate bridge. Although Jill is the exception! Thanks for providing this forum for discussion.

Hmmm, Louise, I wonder what this is about since we both have had the same reactions?
Lately though I don’t get panic attacks playing bridge but I do get anxious. I hate to be the one playing the hand and the other three eyes upon me waiting for me to goof up, which I usually do! It IS about inadequacy and fear of being publicly criticized. I persist because it is supposed to be good for the memory! Brain fog happens for all kinds of reasons and you are lucky you don’t have fibromyalgia to add to the mixture! Thanks for your comments, Barbara.

I could have written this myself! My reactions are considered “silly” “exaggerated” and “ridiculous” when I have tried to explain the extreme physical and emotional reactions I endured that were exactly like panic attacks. Never in my life have I ever experienced panic attacks and I have thrown myself into all kinds of adventures in all parts of the world! To all the lovely people in my life who enjoy the challenge of bridge it is considered hysterically funny that I had to seek therapy because of playing bridge. The therapist told me to quit going to duplicate bridge. But I wanted to conquer the panic attacks so she told me I had to confront my fears of inadequacy and getting publicly criticized. So I try and go to a “easy” group who meet Tuesday afternoons and who are now very well known to me and most of the time it is a comfortable and enjoyable time….until my husband rolls his eyes and visibly shakes in anger at my stupidity. Brain fog…what a good description of it. Thanks. I don’t believe I have ever suffered from fibromyalgia…….until now.

Laughter is the best medicine isn’t it? Laughing in a bridge club is not for serious bridge addicts unfortunately! Thanks for your comments, Ellen!

Everything said in this article has been true in my beginning bridge experience. I play only with beginners and we beginners frustrate our teachers but we have fun and laugh.

Thanks Leslie. Your group are great! Bridge as it should be! Fun and friendship and helpful people.
Never once heard an unfriendly comment all the times we have played or taken classes there even though the classes themselves are not easy:-). It’s easier to learn under ideal situations!
Barbara

Hi Barbara,

I loved your article and miss you and your husband in the Kerrisdale Community Centre in Vancouver. Come back soon and play with us.

Leslie

Thanks Bill. Since I know you personally and what a great bridge player you are I am happy you enjoyed it! Hope your visit to the west coast means you will have ‘good’ bridge playing there too!
Barbara

Hi Barbara
Great article; I really enjoyed
reading it.
We’re looking forward to our visit to the west coast next week