RESPeRATE

What do you think about this? http://www.resperate.com/us/welcome/ind ... xwodkQMTFg

O. brought it to the attention of the forum this week. I am interested even though my BP is normal.

Would it not be great for helping us train for healthier breathing? Especially helpful for noobs dealing with anxiety about CPAP.

I would like to start it up when I go to bed or after I have that middle-of-the-night pinkelpause.

Seems to work for some people. Here are a few articles:
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=res ... =en&tab=ws

I missed the original mention of this very interesting little device. I'm printing out the "for your doctor" brochure and will bring it to his attention when I see him in early June. I'd love to get off my BP medication.

Thanks for posting this, rooster, and thanks for the link to the articles, -SWS.

In Israel you can order it for a 30 day trial - for free.
O.

Their web site offers a $24.95 trial program as well:
http://www.resperate.com/us/shop/home.aspx

Also, more Resperate links here:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41392&start=210#p370470

Nice avatar, BB!

-SWS wrote:Nice avatar, BB!

Thanks! Fits my colorful personality.

I just ordered one of their Duo versions.

My wife wanted to try it as well. And the Duo versions track either one or two sets of statistics. I didn't do the $24.95 trial, but I still have 30 days to send it back if it doesn't provide benefits for at least one of us.

The machine uses a chest strap to monitor breathing rate. One of the richest male voices I've ever heard guides the initial breathing pattern (and warns if the strap is too loose or tight, plus informs you that the session is about to end ) while a series of musical chords (major, minor, dominant seventh, suspended second and fourth, etc., logically computer modulated by maintaining a common note from chord to chord) set the pace. There are several tonal options, but each consists of a single multi-layered chord for inhalation, and a different and lower-pitched chord with a simple bass line for exhalation. It isn't music in any usual sense, but quite relaxing.

I borrowed one from a friend and recorded (through the headphone output) an idealized, 15 minute session where I kept my breathing within what the company considers a theraputic rate. Then I made an MP3 from the recording and try to give myself a session with it once a day.

Raj, My BP is normal. Do you think the device would significantly help CPAP patients in other ways?

Another very clever alternative IMHO:

SaltLakeJan wrote: Several years ago the cardiologist suggested it might be something for me to consider I read the information online & decided the prime function was synchronizing your breathing to a musical tone. Another significant part was giving a longer emphasis on the exhaling, rather than the inhale.

As an experiment I went online, considered the merits of the many free metronomes. Decided All-Guitar-Chords.com/metronome would work best for me. I choose two instruments, then set 51 as the synchronization beat. After trying various breathing patterns, I found inhaling to a count of 4 (using the beat) pausing for one beat. I exhaled to a count of 7, paused again for one beat. I continue the breathing pattern for about 15 minutes. For me, the procedure worked best in a darkened room.
'
This technique lowered my blood pressure immediately. . It has the same downside as a piece of exercise equipment or the resperate - you have to use it on a regular basis.

I have demonstrated the technique to the cardiologist and my internist. I did not use the breathing pattern the morning of an exam. At the dr's office, the nurse took my blood pressure, then I sat quietly visualizing the metronome beat for about 10 minutes. The nurse again took my blood pressure, it was lower by 20 points.

When I use this on a regular basis my blood pressure stays around 120 to 135.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41392&start=210#p370543

Hey Rooster:

Several years ago the cardiologist suggested it might be a good thing for me to consider. I studied the information online, at that time they had a recording of the resperator in action. I listened to it, and decided the prime function was the synchronization of breathing to a musical tone. It was significant to give a longer emphasis on exhaling, rather than equal time with inhaling.

I went online, found a metronome that had a beat that could be programed to what I had decided would have a calming influence. After trying various breathing patterns I devised one that worked for me. Rather than typing a full page post, I responded to SWS's interest in resperator, and included my breathing plan on page 15 of the post. Had UPPP, Do I Have To Get a New Doc, to Get Help With This.

My technique lowered my blood pressure immediately. I demonstrated my plan to my cardiologist and my internist. I went to my appointment without practicing my breathing technique for a day or so. The nurse took my blood pressure, then I sat quietly for about 10 minutes using the technique I developed. The nurse took my BP, it was lower by 20 points.

According to the cardiologist both the resperator and my breathing technique have to be used on a regular basis to be effective. I can't say if my procedure is as effective as the Resperator, but the cardio said, "If it lowers the BP, that what counts.

Jan

Jan

Jan,

Thanks, that is excellent.

Now if someone will teach me to count and breathe at the same time, ....

Rooster asked:

Raj, My BP is normal. Do you think the device would significantly help CPAP patients in other ways?

That depends, Rooster. If you mean help improve AHI, I'd hazard a guess that it would only help people whose breathing patterns are habitually irregular even while awake, and who would respond to a bit of conditioning. Still, I'm convinced that calmness, even for a limited period of time, is very, very good for human beings both physically and mentally. We're just beginning to discover and explore the vast network of cellular messengers within our bodies that respond with incredible speed to the food we eat, the thoughts we think, and our emotional state. These messengers -- key elements in the increasingly established mind-body connection -- can trigger a nearly instant cascade of inflammatory responses in our bodies or the opposite.

BTW, if your BP is equal to or higher than 120/60, it would probably be wise to lower it, even if it's technically "normal." It seems that for a healthy person, the lower the better -- until you reach the point where you faint while trying to stand up.

Many years ago (in the 70's) I started Yoga and learned meditation. Later to deal with my migraines I learned other "relaxation techniques". When I had my youngest daughter I practiced my breathing and relaxation techniques during contractions. My birth partner said it was really entertaining to watch the panic on the nurses faces as my pulse would disappear on my first deep breath in.

A couple of year later I was invited to be part of a professional womens stress study. After doing a few minutes of step ups the nurse started taking my pulse, I was a little out of breath so I started doing the deep yoga breathing I always do when I jog. My pulse disappeared and she was sure I was about to have a heart attack. As a consequence I was thrown out of the study since I already knew all the stress relief techniques - I was assigned a footnote.

So yes you can lower your blood pressure but you have to be doing it all the time. I also have erratic high blood pressure and all my techniques couldn't keep it under control - mostly because I just didn't have time during the day to take all the breaks to do the practice that I would have needed. Plus the job I have has quite a bit of sudden stress - support calls from idiots - I mean users of software- who can't explain what they see in front of them.

This is not to say you should learn to do it. It works great to deal with pain, headaches, stress and anxiety and lots of other aliments.

Now if someone will teach me to count and breathe at the same time

Use your fingers - one breath = one finger. When I do my relaxation techniques I lose count at 3. So I have a routine where I breath 3 breaths for my hands on my stomach ( to feel that I am breathing right) then 3 breaths for each finger on each hand (while holding the finger)and then 3 breaths to end which should equal 36 which according to my acupressure teacher is a complete cycle of renewal for all your meridians.