Creative Dreams

Carbonman (and all other musicians)...

As some of you may know, I am a musician (36). Have been since I was 4 or 5 years old. Up until 2003, I was in some form of my original high school band since 1989. In the past few years, I have been struggling with playing and haven't really picked up a guitar much since 2003. Lack of interest, lack of energy, lack of coordination... it all factors in.

I just wanted to report that I'm six months into my therapy, and I've started dreaming about playing guitar and drawing; both of which I used enjoy. I'm taking it as a sign that my brain is starting to heal to the point where I can function creatively again. I already notice an overall cognitive improvement (memory, less "fog"), especially my left-brain function (logic/reasoning). I have a feeling I may have had more right-brain damage or scarring, but that's just a guess.

Not sure when you hit a point of diminishing returns, but I hope another six months gives that much more improvement. Anyone on therapy for more than a year notice when their improvement/healing plateaued, if at all?

Sometimes I read yet another post about a newbie struggling to get their therapy going,
or another story of a brain dead newbie being jerked around by the DME......
and I think I just can't read another one.

Then, I read a post like this and hope is rekindled and I'm renewed.

I love playing my guitars.
Music has always been an emotional outlet for me.
Piano as a kid, played trumpet 4-12 grade. Summer band, marching band, jazz band.
Started playing guitar in Alaska.

I think it was after about 2mths that I just felt like giving my guitars another try.
It just built from there as my brain is healing.
I'm playing everyday again. My coordination improves, everyday.
I think that the playing, remembeing old stuff and learning new stuff
helps your brain heal.
The only problem I have noticed, since I started playing again, is the callus' on my fingers.
My body heals so quickly now, I have to play everyday or they start to go away.
I can live w/that.

Diminishing returns/healing plateau????
The only way I can explain it is my biological clock has been running in reverse
since I started cpap. I don't see it changing.

Our brains are amazing things. They helped us in our hypoxic conditions, before we
were Rx w/OSA. They helped us to somehow survive, as best we could.
Now that we are once again giving them what they need, they will once again
find work arounds for anything that was damaged.

You got'a believe. I do.

How wonderful for you. Thanks for sharing.

tattooyu wrote:As some of you may know, I am a musician (36). Have been since I was 4 or 5 years old. Up until 2003, I was in some form of my original high school band since 1989. In the past few years, I have been struggling with playing and haven't really picked up a guitar much since 2003.

Hi,

So, what is that guitar in your picture? Looks like a Gibson SG? What kind of music do you play?

-john-

Into my 3rd year now. Contined to see improvements until I started my loose lips detour last Feb and backslid...a lot. In recovery again, still not where I was last Feb but much improved over where I was last May when I discovered this site and the old-timers pointed out that I was mouth leaking...mouth leaking?...what's that?...I was soooo clueless about this adventure and I'd have to have been considered an immediate success at CPAP therapy from night 1...goes to show ya don't need to know much about it to make it work...if you've very lucky in getting the right pressure and the right mask from the start!

My brain functions have been the slowest to recover and I am still not the quick witted, wickedly funny commentor I used to be...maybe I'll never be that but I sure see signs it's all there but in slow-motion. Time will tell how much of the me I used to be re-surfaces. Sure wish my creativity would come back more than it has so far.

jweeks wrote:

tattooyu wrote:Hi,

So, what is that guitar in your picture? Looks like a Gibson SG? What kind of music do you play?

-john-

It's actually a Schecter S-1 Plus. I love that guitar. It plays really well, but I need to replace the stock pickups which are just kind of so-so. My first baby will always be my American Standard, Mid-90s, tobacco sunburst Strat, maple neck and Fralin pickups.

I'm glad to know that I can continue to look forward to improvements in my health and well-being! I'm actually EIGHT months into therapy... the memory isn't quite there yet.

I started back on my dolls and costumes (look for the thread with the skimpy clad broad)
The more you use your creative side the more it will come back.
If you want to work on it get the book "The Artist Way" by Julia Cameron - It is a 13 week journalling and creative play odyssey.

Mostly creativity is about opening yourself to possibilities, breaking down blocks - You broke one by using cpap to get rid of your tiredness already. The eyes of your mind are open again. the rest is up to you.

Personally I am seriously thinking of getting the book out again and re-doing the 13 weeks. Those tired years have set up some bad mental attitudes in me.

Lena

Way to go, tattoo! That must be a good feeling. Dreaming about doing what you love. Could there be any better dream....aside from the obvious ones

I am 3 months into my therapy and the fog that I now know was there, has mostly lifted. I'm using notebooks again for business ideas and am really hot on the idea of opening a photography studio (in the same building where I make the bath and body products.) I'm taking notes, coming up with strategies, everything I used to do before "Brain Frazzle" set in about 3 years ago. That's why I haven't been around lately.

Speaking of therapy, the biggest improvement for me has been the disappearance of the "brain frazzle." There are times when your mind is on fire with ideas (good!) and then there were times when your mind is just on fire (bad!)

So, when can we expect your concept album to be finished?

BlackSpinner wrote:..."The Artist Way" by Julia Cameron - It is a 13 week journalling and creative play odyssey.

Thanks L! Will check it out.

As some of you may know, I am a musician (36). Have been since I was 4 or 5 years old. Up until 2003, I was in some form of my original high school band since 1989. In the past few years, I have been struggling with playing and haven't really picked up a guitar much since 2003. Lack of interest, lack of energy, lack of coordination... it all factors in.

I just wanted to report that I'm six months into my therapy, and I've started dreaming about playing guitar and drawing; both of which I used enjoy. I'm taking it as a sign that my brain is starting to heal to the point where I can function creatively again. I already notice an overall cognitive improvement (memory, less "fog"), especially my left-brain function (logic/reasoning). I have a feeling I may have had more right-brain damage or scarring, but that's just a guess.

Not sure when you hit a point of diminishing returns, but I hope another six months gives that much more improvement. Anyone on therapy for more than a year notice when their improvement/healing plateaued, if at all?

It makes a huge difference in terms of music. When I was first diagnosed with OSA, I actually fell asleep in the middle of one of the gigs I was playing. Now, I have the energy to do freelance gigging and travel, and never worry about a 6 hour trip. I don't know that dreams are more creative using the xpap, but performances are far better, and I actually like my playing again, after years of not liking it in the mid 90's. So, it only gets better and better.

Good for you Kenny

Unfortunately I have found that i do not have a single creative bone in my body

Maybe its time to have have another look....

I have started back at my passion of crocheting. I have finished one christmas present and am starting on another. I have all these ideas in my head for cpap related items like, hose covers, mask pouches, cpap machine cozies......the list is endless. I could possibly have a new career ahead of me.

Lena: I'll check out that book some time. Right now I'm reading a book for my panic attacks called "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life" by Dr. Daniel G. Amen. It's pretty good and although his science isn't proven, I kind of like where he is going with it.

Autopapdude: Thank God. I was (and to some degree still am) really feeling like I'll never get back into or have the desire, which I know is impossible considering how much music is a part of my being. You really fell asleep at a gig? While you were playing?

spacetoast: I didn't realize you make bath and body products. Do you have a website? The brain frazzle is the worst. I still have some. I'm thinking I probably have some pretty good scarring or damage in my brain that will take a while to heal (if at all).

Uncle_Bob: Aaaaaahhhhh c'mon! Everybody has some creativity! What's yours?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creativity

Creativity has been attributed variously to divine intervention, cognitive processes, the social environment, personality traits, and chance ("accident", "serendipity"). It has been associated with genius, mental illness, humour and REM sleep

maybe there is some hope for me down the road