Hi Connie:I don’t think that a worrier is necessarily the type of person who develops fibro or CFS. I do believe it is that of a highly sensitive person, intuitive, hyperaroused nervous system that becomes overstimulated easily. I DO believe that after experiencing pain and fatigue for a long time the person then becomes very worried that things may never get better, what else could be wrong etc etc and the worries magnify. A person may or may not be a worrier to begin with, but usually becomes one after the fact. At least this is what I believe and I may be completely off base here. So much to speculate about and so little actual scientific data to back any of it up!. Thanks for your comments and best wishes, Barbara

I realize that this is an old post but one thing you said in your comments is making me question things.

I have been diagnosed with cfs and in the last year I have been popping tylenols a number of times a day. I’ve been avoiding the doc because I assume she will say fibrous and another diagnosis with no effective treatment doesn’t interest me.

But the person you describe above is not me. I am not a worrier. I assume tomorrow will be fine. I read the news to stay informed and rarely worry that something bad will happen. Do you believe that fibro is linked to worry and neural pathways & not physical?

happy you keep coming back, Tom!

great post as usual!

Hi Erin: If only health professionals knew more about brain maps, especially negative ones from childhood or other adult traumas, they would be able to help us more reasonably than giving us pills! We have to educate others as some researchers are still trying to find a virus or bacteria that causes this demon so that they can find a ‘cure’:-( (a pill). We are all into medicating ourselves (me included) to find some degree of relief for the pain and fatigue. Sleepless nights are the bane of our existence! My grown children and young grandchildren don’t know about “the fear of God” and were not raised with fear. For that I am thankful! In the meantime you and I have to become the experts of our own lives.
Best wishes,
Barbara

Barbara

This makes so much sense for me. I was a little confused when my Rheumatologist just gave me a sleeping pill and then was not surprised when I only slept four hours without waking. It was later that he said that is the best people with FM can expect. It made such a difference in how I viewed my sleep.

I too am a recovering Catholic! How funny is that! My daughter will not know the fear and the guilt and the constant fear of disappointing someone. I remember for years too wondering now what i did to make GOD mad when it was raining becuase that was the explaination i was given.

Happy Solstice Carolyn, looking forward to the 21st when the days begin to get longer. Today is -8C in Nova Scotia! These days are not easy for fibro people and no doubt people with other chronic illnesses. Hope people are looking at your site often as it is one of my most important links! Thanks for your comments. Happy to hear from another ‘recovering Catholic”! My own kids did not have to suffer from all that fear and guilt fortunately. Best wishes, Barbara

Hi Barbara,

“…when I first started school, age 5, and the nuns told us stories of being responsible for killing Christ because we were born with original sin on our souls. Of course this frightened us and made the entire class cry. We were warned about sin and hell from the first day. I would hyperventilate at night and lose my breath. I was afraid to go to sleep. This was a serious trauma in my childhood….” Do these people not realize the damage they are doing to such tiny perfect innocents? A theological worldview that was based on fear and guilt and punishment – no wonder you had trouble sleeping at night!

Oh, my goodness. I just had my own little flashback reading that description of your very early education. I have to go have a little lie-down now…. This is precisely why I now describe myself as a ‘recovering Catholic’, having survived convent boarding school and a rabidly Catholic family in which, if one of us five children stubbed our toe while simply crossing a room, my parents would say: “See? God punishes bad children!”

Q: how did either of us grow up even remotely normal given that upbringing?!?!?

But I digress….. I will look for Waking The Tiger.

Many thanks,
Carolyn

Dear Mario: Thanks for the heads up on binaural beats! Quite frankly I had never heard of it! I will research it for sure! Regards, Barbara

I have been reading a lot on here and have picked up some great info. One thing I have found which works well for better sleep, feeling more relaxed and focused is binaural beats. As strange as they may sound (excuse the pun) they are a very powerful method of relaxation.