Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible?
        
(Message started by: ex_pat_asia on Aug 9^th, 2004, 10:38pm)

Title: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible?
Post by ex_pat_asia on Aug 9^th, 2004, 10:38pm

I was stunned to read several post on another thread
about meditative techniques for dealing with a CA and the number of folks who came out in support of using it as a tool.

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=chspecific;action=display;num=1092072412

Starting this thread to explore the topic further. Can techniques like this offer us any relief?

For me, calmness and deep breathing are an essential survival tool. My wife says my breathing is audible, deep, and rhythmic. She also says that in her worried state of mind, that I have even had a calming influence on her even though it is my monkey. I admit I am proud of that. It makes me feel like I have an upper hand in this thing at least part of the time. That's enormously encouraging. Anyone else?

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by IndianaJohn on Aug 9^th, 2004, 11:06pm

I couldn't agree more. I personally try to remain calm and concentrate on relaxing the muscles in my head starting with my forehead and working back. I am absolutely convinced that it has lessened the duration of some of the HA's. Does it work all the time? No. But by trying to keep a portion of my sanity and not giving in, it more often that not keeps the pain a little less. However, it's when I am getting multiple CA's per day that the technique falters for me. Concentration becomes difficult and I am prone to higher kip #'s. Just like what happened to me Sunday. (See rejuvination vibes thread) . I too have noticed that different people do the same thing in different ways. Some by trying to control circulation, other, like me just trying to remain calm and relax. Hey, whatever works!

PFDAN to All!

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by karma on Aug 10^th, 2004, 12:01am

YEAAAH BAAABY
The pain is still horrendous sometimes but its at its worst when I tense up and start loosing hope that it will end. Then I begin to breath real slow and real shallow again and I know i've got it licked.
When its over I will invariably say to myself " I won again you bastard. Thats 346-0 and counting"

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by synergy2120 on Aug 10^th, 2004, 7:42am

Marc's last specilist wants marc to try and do YOGA. Marc is now at the stage where he is willing to try anythning but marc has said "how am i supposed to concentrate on doing yoga when im in pain? I cant concentrate on anything but the pain".

Has anyone else tried yoga? I can see how relaxing and trying to stay calm can help, marc can usually stay quite calm until it goes past a number 8 and then he gives in.

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by pubgirl on Aug 10^th, 2004, 7:59am

ex-pat asia

I think this is another reason why I like oxygen therapy so much. It isn't just that the 02 aborts the attack, it is the physical act of DOING something, the using of the mask, the deep, rhythmic breathing while I rock which keeps me calmer, the concentration on doing it rather than thinking only of the pain.
When I use a triptan to abort I'm just waiting for it to work while I run about like a looney and often panic.

Wendy

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by Pinkfloyd on Aug 10^th, 2004, 12:52pm

This is a section of a FAQ I wrote a few years ago..

13.6.1 Biofeedback Exercises
The "Diaphragmatic Breathing Technique" is an exercise designed
to achieve the relaxation response from your system. The
diaphragm is a grouping of the main muscles used in breathing. It is
the dome-like wall of smooth muscle that separates the lunges from
the rest of the organs.

All breathing exercises should be done by taking slow, gentle deep
breaths. When inhaling, the abdomen should push out. When
exhaling, the abdomen should pull in. Breathing should be done in a
very slow, even flowing manner with careful attention to the rising
and falling of the abdomens movement. The rest of the chest area
should have little or no movement.

Begin a gentle inhalation through the nose. Be sure the abdomen is
pushing out with the breath. Try to notice a sense of ease and well
being that you are creating in your body, with each breath.
Take this breath down to the bottom of your lungs. Do not allow
your shoulders or chest to rise. Inhale a sense of clean air and
relaxation.

When your lungs are full, allow a slow, smooth transition between
inhaling and exhaling. Begin to exhale through your mouth slowly,
allowing the abdomen to pull back in. While you are exhaling,
imagine that you are bringing up any discomfort and muscle tension
with each breath. Blow your breath gently away from you.

Allowing a sense of quiet to take over your body, repeat the above
steps several times per day.

The most important part of this exercise is the diaphragmatic
breathing, with movement only in the lower portions of your lungs
and your diaphragm.

(added note: If you have a dog...watch him(her) as he sleeps. This is the way they breath while sleeping, relaxing)

13.6.2 Hand Warming

One theory behind the success of oxygen inhalation, is that it
decreases the amount of bloodflow to the brain. Another way to
achieve the same result is called handwarming. If you can learn how
to raise the temperature of your hands, you can reduce the
bloodflow to the brain. This handwarming is done through mental
imagery. Sit back and relax. Before beginning the exercise, take
three deep breaths, releasing as much tension as possible. Picture
yourself in a quiet scene that will allow your body to produce the
physical responses that would be present in those surroundings.
Imagine a place that would give you a sense of warmth and well
being. Examples to aid in raising your hand temperature include a
sunny beach, warm sand, hot sun, sitting in front of a fireplace,
holding a cup of hot coffee.
Although this technique sounds like it would be impossible for the
average clusterer to use while in the midst of a cluster, it may be
beneficial to try it in between attacks in an attempt to stabilize the
vascular system and to induce a state of physiological relaxation.
Thermal training redirects some of the blood from the engorged
blood vessels of the brain to the extremities. If you can start the
process at first sign of a cluster, while you can still concentrate, it
may be possible to relieve some of the pain and or duration.

Use a hand held digital thermometer to track your progress and to
show yourself the results that are quite surprising sometimes.

PF

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by don on Aug 10^th, 2004, 1:02pm

I haven't found meditation to be of any help whatsoever as a preventative technique. In fact I have found it detrimental in the sense that my attacks come when stress begins to dissipate.

It is abosulutely critical when I am under attack as a pain managemnent/survival technique.

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by lionsound on Aug 10^th, 2004, 1:18pm

meditation has been a gift to me....for all the reasons mentioned above and more. I could go on pages about it(i'll spare all of you). and unlike biofeedback, ...I meditate everyday in my house for free!!! It's free....so why not try it? The worst thing that happens is that you might be more relaxed. Some side effect.

I started with a guided meditation CD. I did end up taking an online meditation course because I wanted to learn more and physically attending a class just isn't always possible for me. That website alone answers a lot of questions and has tons of info to get you started and with out purchasing a thing.

If anyone is interested, let me know and I'll get you the info.

And this is something very important to me....on the days when I feel really crappy and dragging and I can't do a thing because of meds , or pain, or lack of sleep, and I feel like a useless blob....... meditating is somethng I CAN do. And there's some small, yet very powerful victory in that.

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by IndianaJohn on Aug 10^th, 2004, 1:24pm

PinkFloyd, thanks for the explanation. I was struggling to understand how the hand warming technique works and how it would help a CH. This is definatley something to practice while PF. I do share Don's concerns however. Stress does in some way postpones or forestalls an attack for me. There has been many times I would be ok at work only to get clobbered on my way home or when I get home. Even though, it seems that it would be a useful tool in the midst of battle with the beast.

IMHO

PFDAN to All!

John

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by ex_pat_asia on Aug 10^th, 2004, 2:07pm

on 08/10/04 at 07:59:14, pubgirl wrote:

Wendy, I couldn't agree with you more. My best retreat is into my rebreather.

Quote:

Thats 346-0 and counting

Exactly! you know the "zone". It is one of the reasons I like Don's mantra..."it will end" that is some powerful stuff.

Here is my "path" (is that new age sounding enough?)
I start with the breathing...even if I am sans oxy I breath exactly the same way...deep and slow. I sit up, usually edge of a straight back chair or edge of the bed...for me this isn't about getting comfortable..its about getting control. I am alert...no attempt at "good thoughts" or that kind of thing. After a minute or so of breathing I start to try to locate the intruders. I know we say "beast" but my inner vision of it is actually "beasts"...thousands and thousands of them. I also imagine the passageways they are scurrying around in. I do not try to battle them. I just watch...and imagine they are losing energy...slowly but surely.. and I know it will end...they will dissipate...they are temporary...etc etc. When dissipation does arrive, it almost always feels to me like it happens in different places at different times. Behind the eye is command central for the "invaders" It is the first point of pain and the last to go. But temple area, down to the jaw, and the sinuses can all come into play if it is KIP5 or above. Those more peripheral locations are where the harbinger of the end starts. When the eye starts to calm down I am high fiving already but I don't stop the concentration or the breathing. I do that when its all clear. Oh..and a great prop is a cold cloth I use directly on the eye, partially to mop the bucket or so of tearing I get.

I don't think there is any magic to this at all...it is just a tool to ride it out and keep a proactive posture. I find it encouraging and enormously helpful. As a tool it is also fantastically portable and you are never without it. I have done this while sitting on a public toilet stool with a wad of wet paper towel pressed against my eye. I have done it in a coffe niche adjacent to a board room while a meeting continued. Done it on planes, in autos, theatres blah blah...you get the picture.

Hope all of you have PFDAN forever

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by Pinkfloyd on Aug 10^th, 2004, 2:18pm

on 08/10/04 at 13:24:46, IndianaJohn wrote:

I do share Don's concerns however. Stress does in some way postpones or forestalls an attack for me. John

This is all a very personal avenue for people. Personal in that everyone is different and not "secretive" personal. You have to know YOUR body, your reactions etc., whether or not it will help or hurt, preventive, abortive or more a coping mechanism.

Biofeedback, per se, is most often detremental for cluster sufferers as it will more often than not, trigger an attack vs. abort an attack. Probably because you can't schedule an appointment a month in advance that will perfectly fit into your cluster cycle so it's done at the most effective time.
This said, we are all different and what works for one....well, you get the picture.
IMHO, the timing of the relaxation technique employed is more important than the technique of choice. Since only you know your system, as 60 year old Smokey the Bear says, "only YOU can prevent forest fires"

PF

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by karma on Aug 11^th, 2004, 5:27am

Breathing works well for me.
This cycle, I've been getting the wakeup calls which I don't remember happening before. Each one is worse than the one before. I think that maybe because i't takes more to wake up the more tired I get. Anyway I successfully beat down 5 or 6 with breathing alone. I lost count after awhile. The first one took about 5 minutes to kill and the last one about 20.
If I can get it beat down before it reaches my teeth then I don't feel the residual affects.
I'm gonna try and stay completely away from the zomig today. The last couple days I've taken 3 x 2.5 mgr but the breathing works better.

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by kimh on Aug 11^th, 2004, 7:36am

Tried bio-feedback one cycle. Went to a "pain management" clinic. There was an M.D. on staff, a message therapist and the bio-feedback guy. I was desperate and willing to try anything. Went for several sessions which of course was not covered by insurance and cost a pretty penny. I tried REEEELY hard to apply the technique at home......it was a complete failure. My family was subjected to my loud "announcements" that it was "NOT FUCKING WERK_ING"!!!!! The message therapist finally asked me had i ever tried cocaine......the "M.D." wrote me a triple-script for fiorinol......I remember walking out of the "pain management center" talking to myself and wanting reeeely bad to hit something.

I think that where "meditation" theory is concerned, we learn by our own experiences how to "meditate" in that we teach ourselves the coping skill of avoiding panic. I am astounded at the number of sufferers who apply "rhythmic" movement and/or breathing while dealing with an attack. Like others, i find it helpful.

woops, drank too much cawfee agin. :D

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by ex_pat_asia on Aug 11^th, 2004, 12:38pm

on 08/11/04 at 07:36:56, kimh wrote:

LMAO - what a great post - Thanks Kim
http://davisasia.homestead.com/applause_1.gif

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by karma on Aug 13^th, 2004, 4:49pm

It takes some practice and real determination to make the breathing, calming thing help But It Realy can help.
Think of it this way if it helps.
For every minute that you blow up and go ballistic it will cost you 10 more minutes of agony.
The Zomigs been helping but I still hate taking it and usually take the damn thing to late and pay. But I gotta believe that letting the pain make you nuts is what is escalating the pain to unbearable limits.
The hospital is not an option for me so I gotta get it under control some other way. Breathing and relaxing have been the key.
Mucho thanks for all the advice

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by UN_SOLVED on Aug 13^th, 2004, 4:59pm

on 08/11/04 at 07:36:56, kimh wrote:

the coping skill of avoiding panic.

Meditation, calmness ... helps me to avoid panic (which will only make my headache worse). I liked the term "survival technique" that Don used. It fits me too.

XTREME PAIN + panic = suicide / suicidal thoughts :-X

Other than that, it will not abort or prevent an attack for me.

Unsolved

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by karma on Aug 15^th, 2004, 9:26am

It will usualy work for me to abort but not always. Xanax is a big help.
Zomig didn't help at all yesterady. Took it twice and got my ass kicked twice yesterday but I lost count of how many I was able to beat it back by just forcing myself to relax. The worst its ever been.

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by Redd715 on Aug 15^th, 2004, 11:25am

I have a tendancy to forget to breathe when under attack... :-/

After havieing two babies, I've uses lamaz breathing alot when I can focus...but sometimes it gets to the point I can't focus and I start holding my breath again. I need to get better at it I know.....

thank the powers for Trex!!!

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by karma on Aug 16^th, 2004, 10:28am

Its a real struggle sometimes But I've come to realize that when the pain is at its worst it means its just about over. That can be a mighty big incentive for me to keep my cool.
Changing positions helps too. sometimes walking, sometimes sitting. sometimes just standing still but always calmly willing the pain to leave. (well almost always)

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Aug 16^th, 2004, 8:39pm

Like Redd, I use my Lamaze breathing whenever the beast hits. It helps me "work through" the pain by providing something to focus on besides my left eye.

Focused breathing, combined with gently pulling my hair on the opposite side of the HA, somehow keeps me calm. I also say a mantra like Don. Mine is "over soon now ... over soon now .."

Eventually it is. More than anything, focused relaxation and breathing keeps me from the state of panic (and ER visit) that's just around the corner.

These are coping techniques though - I can't believe they'd work as preventatives. After all - Lamaze breathing doesn't prevent birth!

Kris

Title: Re: Meditation, Calmness - effective or impossible
Post by Robert_C. on Aug 17^th, 2004, 7:33am

Ditto IndianaJohn. I'm not prone to head banging so I try to stay as calm as I can. I don't think it makes the headache go away faster but it stopped me from having to repair my walls to often. ;)

Robert