Apneas during Meditation/Guided Imagery?

[BlackSpinner]

[quote="Cassandra"
I would be doing measured breathing, and start relaxing every joint in my body (I always start at my feet and work my way up.) Then, by the time I get up to my head, I'm feeling quite weightless and very relaxed. I would continue with the deep measured breathing. Then, suddenly I would feel this sort of... tugging in my mid-section. It was the sensation of my diaphragm pulling down and my lungs sort of imploding because no air was getting in. At this point, I would come back to complete alertness and take a breath. I could tell from the sensation that my throat was closed. I might experience this two or three times during a session before giving up.
Cassandra[/quote]

That is exactly what I saw in my massage clients. They were not asleep. Their whole diaphragm area would sink in and then they would give a sudden gasp and start breathing again.

There are many different styles of meditation, some need you to be totally aware, others allow you to become totally unaware of your surroundings. But in all of them your mind enters some kind of trans mode which can be seen on brain wave monitors. I suspect that meditating while sitting or walking will not trigger apneas because of your vertical stance. Laying down gravity will cause your throat to collaspe. I never had anyone do it during seated or chair massage.

[tattooyu]

Since I was sitting up, even though a bit reclined, perhaps I simply freaked out in my mind. It felt very physical though. We're going to try it again with me fully sitting up, just for a few minutes, and see how it goes.

[Muse-Inc]

...going to try it again with me fully sitting up, just for a few minutes, and see how it goes.

Let us know...I'm interested. Because I experienced events with the increased pulse & breathing & flush, I stopped meditating -- I miss it. Sitting up, it happened if my head wasn't perfectly vertical...hmmm, haven't tried it since I lost the 53#s, maybe that won't happen now.

[tattooyu]

Let us know...I'm interested. Because I experienced events with the increased pulse & breathing & flush, I stopped meditating -- I miss it. Sitting up, it happened if my head wasn't perfectly vertical...hmmm, haven't tried it since I lost the 53#s, maybe that won't happen now.

I'll let you guys know. It really seemed like I was at least headed for an apnea. She even commented that my breathing was shallower than she'd like. I miss the days when I used to meditate with no issues. If it's a problem, I'll just use my CPAP to meditate.

[LinkC]

I'm backpacking my cpap 15 miles one way to camp overnight on Cumberland Island, Ga. next weekend!

I'll wave at you! I work at Kings Bay Subase across the sound. If your ferry pilot is called "Cajun", say Hi. I work with his wife.

Are you going to Sea Camp or one of the primitive sites? I hope the weather holds. They are calling for a chance of rain this weekend.

Have a great time! I love Cumberland...

[LinkC]

Tattoo--

I would hope your therapist would make note of your breathing patterns during the session. Especially if she was aware of your OSA.

Apneas of either type are usually pretty obvious. Hypopneas, maybe not so much...but she should have been looking for them, regardless. Anything less would be irresponsible, IMHO.

[carbonman]

I've long time suffered from obsessive thoughts Cassandra

Sound sleep, sound mind. Barry Krakow

Obsessive thoughts, run away brain....one of the things this book targets, specifically.
It's not easy. It can be very rewarding.

Please let me know if you do explore this.

[Uncle_Bob]

I think sleep apnea makes dealing with anxiety even more complicated. I find my breathing in general is bad even while awake, i find myself holding my breath until i notice it especially while at work on the computer or while driving.

I found that my anxiety has returned a bit mostly with a nasty fear of speaking out in my work meetings. I can only manage one work replies to questions and then my voice goes wobbly.

I'm doing neurofeedback training and a recent brain map shows the red areas indicating an over active cingulate (the gear shifter of the brain)





I hope your new therapy will work out for you

[tattooyu]

Sound sleep, sound mind. Barry Krakow

Obsessive thoughts, run away brain....one of the things this book targets, specifically.
It's not easy. It can be very rewarding.

Please let me know if you do explore this.

Me too. I'm obsessed that I'm going to have a heart attack. I'm an obsessive pulse-checker. I'm working on it.

Also, I recommend two books:

Hope and Help for your Nerves by Claire Weekes

This booked gave me a giant leap forward on my anxiety and thought processes.

Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Dr. Daniel G. Amen (in progress)

Some of his science is in question, but I like his methodology so far.

[Muse-Inc]

Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Dr. Daniel G. Amen...[/i]

Love his PBS series! Interested in nutritional approaches, I follow many of his recommendations but did that before I saw the first of his programs (The Diet Cure is also really helpful); have Amen's books, haven't been able to handle serious reading yet . I have found that Coromega fish oils, DHA, 1/8 cup of Ghirardelli 100% ground cocoa, daily onions/shallots/leeks/garlic/ginger have made profound changes in my mood even pre-CPAP. Been practicing deep breathing to oxygenate, esp when sitting at computer or when angsting over my situation, also is remarkably calming -- do this when I wake up from an event with the racing pulse, fast breathing, flush -- it really helps calm eveything so I can easily fall asleep.

The most helpful for me has been to repeat to myself that I am a work in progress, in spite of appearances there is nothing wrong with me because I was made as an expression of the Divine and that sin is separation from the Soul caused by over-thinking, I want and intend to fully live in spite of obstacles. If I want something, asking my angels for inspiration to find a way to get it often leads to insight via dreams and synchronistic events/meetings. Your results might vary

[tattooyu]

That's awesome, Muse.

I gave fish oil another try. Nope. I can't digest it. It really triggers my IBS. So... I plan to try a handful of walnuts every day, since I can seem to eat those in moderation with no problems. We also eat a lot of fish (on the safe/non-mercury list), and I try to incorporate salmon as much as possible within my dietary restrictions (very fatty). I also have a serious intolerance to garlic but can eat a tiny, little bit. Onions are the same, but if they are cooked, it's not quite as bad. Lucky me huh?



I am a work in progress indeed. While our issues are all relative, I try to maintain a health broad perspective and know I could be in a lot worse shape.

[Muse-Inc]

...gave fish oil another try...

Did you try Coromega? It's emulsified; the one I get is the orange creamsicle gel (comes in little packettes); mom prefers the lemon-lime.

...Lucky me huh?

Got my sympathy! Tried beano, oh wait that's carbs...onions-beans are carbs,. complex polysaccarides that really work the gut to breakdown to simple sugars? Tried a fat enzyme...maybe if you add extra help breaking down fats & carbs, calming the gut cells and neurotransmitters (L-Glutamine helps), and avoid all glutan, your gut might be happier.

[Cassandra]

OK I have got all of those tips opened in different windows so I can read them after I finished reading the thread. LOL

Cassandra

[tattooyu]

Did you try Coromega? It's emulsified; the one I get is the orange creamsicle gel (comes in little packettes); mom prefers the lemon-lime.

I have not tried Coromega. What does the emulsification do for the digestive properties?

Got my sympathy! Tried beano, oh wait that's carbs...onions-beans are carbs,. complex polysaccarides that really work the gut to breakdown to simple sugars? Tried a fat enzyme...maybe if you add extra help breaking down fats & carbs, calming the gut cells and neurotransmitters (L-Glutamine helps), and avoid all glutan, your gut might be happier.

I have to say that the OmegaZyme Ultra by Garden of Life has REALLY helped a lot. It's expensive but manageable. I order everything from iHerb.com. L-Glutamine is a big negatory. I'm extremely sensitive to MSG, which is a glutamate.


EDIT: When I get paid this Friday, I'll order some Coromega from iHerb.com when I reorder my enzymes!

[Uncle_Bob]

Also, I recommend two books:

Hope and Help for your Nerves by Claire Weekes

This booked gave me a giant leap forward on my anxiety and thought processes.

Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Dr. Daniel G. Amen (in progress)

Some of his science is in question, but I like his methodology so far.

I have read Change Your Brain, Change Your Life and was not that impressed. Lots of common sense stuff and case studies and detailed results of SPECT studies.

I've just finished "The Power of Now" by Ekhart Tolle which was pretty helpful but then got a bit to spiritual and complicated for me.

I see Claire Weeks Pass through Panic: Freeing yourself from anxiety and fear audio book is on itunes for $9 so I'm going to try that next.