Thanks so much Eileen: long winters on the east coast…hmmm, I can relate to that, even though we live in different countries!
I really appreciated your comments and especially that it is on your Fibro Sense Facebook! Many researchers say that unless something can be quantified scientifically that anecdotal experiences are not valid, but I have yet to hear of anyone who has fibro say that they are not highly sensitive. All say that they were born that way or can remember being HSP all their lives. If asked, they also admit their lives were governed by fear, anxiety and panic. You are certainly not alone. I hope you will do more research on HSPs as the research from psychologists and psychiatrists sounds very hopeful!
Regards, Barbara

Hi Barbara,
I have had the opportunity to read your book and agree with your theory that the highly sensitive person is probably more predisposed to contract Fibromyalgia. I particularly enjoyed with great interest your chapter entitled Psycho-Neurological Overload. I definitely fall in the category of an HSP and can understand the thoughts you gave on the condition.
It is comforting to read in black and white that I am not alone in this regard and there were many passages I highlighted for future perusing. I have recommended your book to my fans of my Fibro Sense page on Facebook as well. I feel it is very beneficial for those of us who suffer. My husband, the real Keddy, ha ha, said he too will read it as I feel he can understand the condition better if he does.
I must say that I can relate to the fear aspect of Fibro as my anxiety and panic disorder are strong at this time. I believe I go through flare ups of depression that feeds on my nerves resulting in the anxiousness I suffer from. Much like the physical flare ups, the mental flare ups can be just as debilitating. I only hope to have a better spring and summer at this point as it has been a long winter in Massachusetts. With sunshine I generally have less mental flare ups and can enjoy more exercise as well.
Thanks for your continuing educational blog as it is quite helpful to this reader.
smiles, eileen

Thanks Roseann: This is good step-by-step advice for the beginner practitioner. A good way to let go of our anger towards others (for example, a parent) and experience compassion instead ! Your comments are appreciated! Barbara

Dear CP: Thank you for your comments and your honesty. There is so much to learn about the brain, central sensitivities, empathy. Do you consider yourself a sensitive person? There is so much to unravel! If only the researchers would recognize it is NOT a disease and throw out that label! Best wishes and keep in touch! Regards, Barbara

Hi all,

I read this with some intrigue because I have noted that out of all the (very few) men that I know have fibromyalgia as I do all of them are gay. I myself am very happily married, but in the past did have lots of questions about my own sexuality, which I must admit at times I still do question, although I have never as yet acted upon these impulses, and I simply adore my wife. It’s possible that I have had fibro since I was 14 – I’m now 37 and it totally dominates my life. Some days are a struggle, others are easier. I was talking the other day to a friend about this, and so I am not surprised to see a possible correlation between sexuality and fibro.

Hi Barbara,
I just “happened” across your blog–had to smile at this happenstance. I also have FMS and practice Tonglin. I hadn’t actually thought about FMS and Tonglin in a specific connected way, but only as a part of the whole of life. My teacher had a good suggestion, I think, when learning the practice of Tonglin, which is not so easy with all of human-kind sometimes He suggested we start out by “practicing” (i.e. Tonglin “practice”) by visualing someone we love very much and in meditation visualize ourselves taking in their pain, either psychic or physical. Then we visualize that pain flowing into our heart where we are holding the bright light of healing and compassion and wisdom (of the Buddha, or Jesus or a Universal being). Then as that pain is absorbed and the pain dissolves in the light we breath out that healing light to the other person we want to have happiness and healing . As we practice more and our compassion grows it becomes easier to step up our “practice” to those we feel more “neutral” about, and later to those who have caused pain to us or others by their actions or nature. The “practice” works. The compassion does grow, even for our selves. Another name for this practice is “Exchanging Self for Others.” Blessings to you as you grow. Roseann

Muchos gracias!

Le doy las gracias por este artículo, es super bueno, excelente participación! Gracias

Hi Annie: My view is that someone like you who is so young can definitely ‘rewire’ your brain much easier than someone my age. Still, I struggle on! Please read some of the wonderful books out there about changing your brain and in particular the neuroscientists who have begun to understand the connection between meditation and neuroplasticity. I have posted many of them on various blogs.
As far as hypervigilance goes I am not surprised that you are a social work student! your sense of social justice, empathy and desire to wokr with disadvantaged people fits with my description of the highly sensitive person. Do take the self test of the highly sensitive person available on line and then read all you can about this trait and how to (if not completely change) manage the hyperaroused nervous system!
Please do keep in touch.
Regards, Barbara

“Being a sociologist and feminist, I am inclined to say that the role of women (and many highly sensitive men) in society affects our nervous systems to such a degree that many of us (highly sensitive persons) become hyper-vigilant and then we are besieged with an over stimulated nervous system.” Barbara Keddy

As a 25 year old woman who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 4 years ago, and as a Sociology/Social Work student, this idea is FASCINATING to me. I know in my life I experience an extreme level of hyper-vigilance that is extreme stressful to me. I hadn’t considered how it may be affecting me physiologically. How do you personally cope with that feeling of hypervigilance? I don’t think I can cut out my trying to save the world in order to be in less pain, and that’s an extremely frustrating feeling.

Annie