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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> Circulatory Feedback
        
(Message started by: Charlie on Sep 7^th, 2002, 12:37am)

Title: Circulatory Feedback
Post by Charlie on Sep 7^th, 2002, 12:37am

Dr. Wright's Circulatory Feedback

This is not transcendental meditation, imagery, relaxation, or anything psychic. It's entirely physical and takes a lot of work and concentration. Give this method a good workout. It’s not a miracle, but it’s been very helpful to many.

When I was diagnosed, my neurologist said to treat this as a vascular problem. I was told to concentrate on “redirecting” blood circulation in order to retard flow to the head. This is done by trying to “send” blood into the arms and hands or other extremities. When properly done, your hands will become warm and redder with increased circulation. I also found it easier to concentrate on one hand.

This relieves just slightly, the pressure on the affected vessel, which indirectly causes our pain. We all have this ability but it can be exhausting. I was often able shorten my attacks from about half an hour to no more than a few minutes. Sometimes, when awake, I could entirely abort the attack IF I KEPT AT IT. I would suffer only minor discomfort instead of excruciating pain. Do not stop just because your hands are warm or redder. Keep this up until you are sure it's subsided. If you let up or lose concentration, it’s very hard to restart this process. It may take some time for this to take hold but when this works, the relief is almost immediate.

I learned this from the doctor in a few minutes. He simply told me to concentrate on keeping blood away from the head. He thought the easiest is the arms and hands but any place that works for you is fine. He said to think of it as "filling your hands" with redirected blood. It’s important to keep at it THROUGH the pain. This will be difficult, but it’s the only way this technique will work. I like to keep at it a few minutes longer than seems necessary to insure success.

This will not always work, but I think it will always have at least some effect on the severity and duration of the attacks. It can be useful between medications or while waiting for some other drug to take effect. All it takes is a little practice. It was fairly easy to learn and what I'm writing here is more than I got from the doctor, as I've drawn from my own experience.

When awakened in horrible pain, it’s very hard to focus, but I think it’s always worth a try. This costs nothing but hard work, is harmless, non-invasive, and it gives us a fighting chance.

I wish you the best of luck - Charlie Strand

Title: Re: Circulatory Feedback
Post by Linda_Howell on Sep 7^th, 2002, 2:57am

Thank you for posting this again really cool ole Charlie

Cat...........this one's for you. Linda

Title: Re: Circulatory Feedback
Post by catlind on Sep 7^th, 2002, 7:24am

Charlie and Linda, thanks for that info. It DOES help. At least when the kids are all in bed. That's near impossible to do (for me) when my 2 year old is tugging at my sleeve every 5 min.

Last night and yesterday when I was getting hammered so bad, I actually used the keyboard for that exercise. Being a touch typist means I can type by feel...and the F and J have bumps so I know where home row is LOL.

I just sat with my veggies on my head and the fans blowing at top speed and closed my eyes and typed til I could feel my fingers warm up...let all my attention go to my fingers and the keyboard...the pounding helps I think LOL. No wonder I go through keyboards so much.

I finally broke the attacks and was able to sleep last night.

Thanks Linda and Charlie for being great clusterbuds and friends and keeping this method in the forefront.

Cat

Title: Re: Circulatory Feedback
Post by catlind on Sep 8^th, 2002, 10:28am

Bumping this back up to the top for anyone new :)

Cat

Title: Re: Circulatory Feedback
Post by oringkid on Sep 9^th, 2002, 6:35pm

coupla things here...first bumping is good LOL
two, out of cycle but am practicing my version of Charlies recipe for relief
three, frozen peas are only good for icepacks. There must be a pea glut. Ever notice they put peas in EVERYTHING!! I can only deal with them if they have cheese on them or italian dressing...

um....Ok....yeah
the nl has burnt my brain!
Sherry ;D