RESPeRATE

[-SWS]

Since then I have been exposed to many different forms of relaxation techniques (for pain control)

Curious if you have found techniques you consider particularly effective. I get trigeminal neurlagia flareups that medications fail to address.

[BlackSpinner]

The easiest to learn is called autogenics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogenic_training for description

This gives a self help practice guide.
http://www.guidetopsychology.com/autogen.htm

The only problem I have with this one is that it doesn't do the "cancelling" At the end of each 1 minute segment take a deep breath, clench your fists and bring them up to your shoulders and open your eyes. One of the very important aspects with this system is the in and out of "trance" effect. If you don't practice the "canceling" all the time then you could end up staying very fuzzy. The canceling trains your mind/body to come back to normal consciousness.

Both my sister and I learned these techniques from a psychiatrist to help us with migraines and her with general pain relief.

PM me if you need more information.

[-SWS]

Thanks for those links and information, BlackSpinner.

[robertmarilyn]

I get trigeminal neurlagia flareups that medications fail to address.

What causes this pain -SWS? And where is it located? If it is on your face, does your mask ever aggravate the problem?
mar

[-SWS]

I get trigeminal neurlagia flareups that medications fail to address.

What causes this pain -SWS?

Diagnostic imaging couldn't reveal the underlying etiology in my case, Mar.

And where is it located?

Mine is most active along the right jaw and lip. However, during a flareup, all three branches of that trigeminal nerve tend to get active, as well as the back of my neck.

If it is on your face, does your mask ever aggravate the pain?

Absolutely. I have been unable to use CPAP for extended periods twice now. Drop me a PM if you think you have trigeminal neuralgia.

[roster]

The easiest to learn is called autogenics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogenic_training for description

This gives a self help practice guide.
http://www.guidetopsychology.com/autogen.htm

.......... One of the very important aspects with this system is the in and out of "trance" effect. If you don't practice the "canceling" all the time then you could end up staying very fuzzy. ..........

I just want to condition myself to breathe better 24 x 7.

I don't want to lose my nasty edge.

[robertmarilyn]

I get trigeminal neurlagia flareups that medications fail to address.

What causes this pain -SWS?

Diagnostic imaging couldn't reveal the underlying etiology in my case, Mar.

That's too bad...it is hard to fix something when you don't know what causes it.

And where is it located?

Mine is most active along the right jaw and lip. However, during a flareup, all three branches of that trigeminal nerve tend to get active, as well as the back of my neck.

I know that would be very uncomfortable. My dad had throat cancer treatments last year (I stayed with mom and dad during the month of his radiation treatments). He is doing very well but in the aftermath, developed two cases of shingles on his head and face. Capsaicin cream seemed to help some plus he did get some prescription medication that helped. What he felt helped the most though, was to sleep all the time Of course, he isn't on a XPAP machine...I doubt he would have been able to tolerate a mask until he got over his shingles.

If it is on your face, does your mask ever aggravate the pain?

Absolutely. I have been unable to use CPAP for extended periods twice now. Drop me a PM if you think you have trigeminal neuralgia.

Knock on wood for me...that's not something I am having a problem with! How long do episodes last and how long do you have to go without your machine, when they happen?
mar

[robertmarilyn]

The easiest to learn is called autogenics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogenic_training for description
This gives a self help practice guide.
http://www.guidetopsychology.com/autogen.htm
.......... One of the very important aspects with this system is the in and out of "trance" effect. If you don't practice the "canceling" all the time then you could end up staying very fuzzy. ..........

I just want to condition myself to breathe better 24 x 7.
I don't want to lose my nasty edge.

Rooster,

Do you have spurs on that back of your chicken feet?
mar

[-SWS]

Of course, he isn't on a XPAP machine...I doubt he would have been able to tolerate a mask until he got over his shingles.

I've had shingles and they were actually much easier to tolerate than TN, Mar. So sorry to hear about your dad.

Knock on wood for me...that's not something I am having a problem with!

Whew!

How long do episodes last and how long do you have to go without your machine, when they happen?

There's no rhyme or reason to the lengths, other than cold weather being an exacerbating factor. But I spent the better part of a year being off CPAP before learning how to better recognize and manage TN. Recognizing subtle precursors, avoiding triggers and exacerbating factors seem to make a big difference.

[BlackSpinner]

I don't want to lose my nasty edge.

Rooster - these techniques were and are used by European and (Formerly) Eastern European Olympic Athletes so I can guarantee the nasty edge will stay put if you want it - in fact you can even sharpen it.

[robertmarilyn]

Of course, he isn't on a XPAP machine...I doubt he would have been able to tolerate a mask until he got over his shingles.

I've had shingles and they were actually much easier to tolerate than TN, Mar. So sorry to hear about your dad.

Thanks...just today he flew from Washington state, to visit his sister and brother in Georgia for a week and then he is going to fly to Florida and fish with his cousin for a week. His cousin is paying for the entire trip...all dad is required to do is not catch bigger fish than his cousin

Knock on wood for me...that's not something I am having a problem with!

Whew!

Yeah I know...I'd probably be a whiny baby about it

How long do episodes last and how long do you have to go without your machine, when they happen?

There's no rhyme or reason to the lengths, other than cold weather being an exacerbating factor. But I spent the better part of a year being off CPAP before learning how to better recognize and manage TN. Recognizing subtle precursors, avoiding triggers and exacerbating factors seem to make a big difference.

Oh that's not good. The stress of the pain its self added with knowing that being on the machine is important. I hope things go well for you in the future and that maybe you can find a way to treat the problem if/when it returns again.

mar

[BlackSpinner]

There are frequencies/rhythms which when dominant in the brain correlate with a specific state of mind. There are generally 4 groupings of brain waves:

1. Beta waves range between 13-40 HZ. The beta state is associated with peak concentration, heightened alertness and visual acuity. Nobel Prize Winner, Sir Francis Crick and other scientists believe that the 40HZ beta frequency used on many Brain Sync tapes may be key to the act of cognition.

2. Alpha waves range between 7-12 HZ. This is a place of deep relaxation, but not quite meditation. In Alpha, we begin to access the wealth of creativity that lies just below our conscious awareness - it is the gateway, the entry point that leads into deeper states of consciousness. Alpha is also the home of the window frequency known as the Schumann Resonance, which is the resonant frequency of the earth's electromagnetic field.

3. Theta waves range between 4-7 HZ. Theta is one of the more elusive and extraordinary realms we can explore. It is also known as the twilight state which we normally only experience fleetingly as we rise up out of the depths of delta upon waking, or drifting off to sleep. In theta we are in a waking dream, vivid imagery flashes before the mind's eye and we are receptive to information beyond our normal conscious awareness. During the Theta state many find they are capable of comprehending advanced concepts and relationships that become incomprehensible when returning to Alpha or Beta states. Theta has also been identified as the gateway to learning and memory. Theta meditation increases creativity, enhances learning, reduces stress and awakens intuition and other extrasensory perception skills. When the brain is in Theta it appears to balance sodium/potassium ratios which are responsible for the transport of chemicals through brain cell membranes. This appears to play a role in rejuvenating the fatigued brain.

4. Delta waves range between 0-4 HZ. Delta is associated with deep sleep. In addition, certain frequencies in the delta range trigger the release of Growth Hormone beneficial for healing and regeneration. This is why sleep, deep restorative sleep is so essential to the healing process.

http://www.web-us.com/primitivebeats.htm