Posted by IsoM on March 19, 2002, at 0:39:00
In reply to Migraines - IsoM, anyone, posted by Dinah on March 18, 2002, at 23:54:45
That's how mine seem to act too. They'll be bad for a long stretch & then things imporve for a while till something sets them off again.
I have wanted to try biofeedback but when I investigated it further, it's not a easy-to-do at home therapy. One is hooked up to monitors that enable you to follow whether you're actually achieving anything.
For example, if you were trying to lower your heart rate, it's much easier to read off a monitor & see your rate lowering rather than stop what you're doing to check your rate. It prevents you from properly focusing on the biofeedback method & your focus changes to waiting for results. It doesn't give you a chance to adequately relax & take control of your bodily systems. being hooked up to a monitor gives you the results, minute by minute so you become attuned to what you just did to get a certain effect.
I would dearly love to try it but I don't know anyplace around here that offers it or if I could afford it.
What I've come up with is my own, albeit not nearly as good, way of dealing with headaches that come frequently. When I'm in a headache, no amount of biofeedback will make the pain disappear. Then I have to take a painkiller but I need to rest in a quiet, cool place, preferably my bedroom, with heat. A covered hotwater bottle, it conforms to the shape at the back of my head is best for me. Sometimes warmth over my eyes & sinus helps. Other times it has to be cool over my eyes instead.
I need to keep an eagle eye on myself to be aware of how I react to even small things. On Saturday, something extra came up, limiting the time I had to have something finished in. I sensed my body preparing for the change by starting to tense up. I even held my shoulders up more & set my jaw. I had to consciously relax these physical changes & keep aware of it slipping in again. Brief but frequent checklists - Are my shoulders hunched? Am I frowning? Are my teeth & lips set? And consciously relax. Probably sounds crazy but I'll put this serence, sublime smile on my face 7 start purposefully humming a soft, gentle melody -something that won't interfere with me being able to think & work still, but it helps me not to panic & lose it.
I really expected a headache later but none came so it was successful that time. When I need to do nothing but I'm feeling wound up & tense. I'll find the most comfortable position I can relax in & try monitoring my heartbeat. Oncve I get the rhythum of my beat, I'll start counting it out or just tapping it out, but slow it down a bit at a time. If my heart's beating 85 per minute, I'll start slowing dfown the rhythum of my fingers till it's down to 70 & manitain it at that. Then I'll lower my beat to 60 per minute. Sometimes, I can get my heart rate to follow but not always.
I try to come up with small ways that can help me. Unfortunately, I can't seem to come up with ways to relax me well but still keep me fully alert & sharp. Alertness & focus equate with hyperness in me, while relaxation & calmness can quickly make me nod off.
Hope something is useful here. Even if it extends to what NOT to do. :-)
poster:IsoM
thread:20186
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020314/msgs/20193.html