Posted by Charlie S (206.162.24.108) on January 14, 2001 at 02:29:25:
I haven't posted this in some time so here goes:
When I was diagnosed, my neurologist told me to treat this horror as a vascular problem. As crazy as it sounds, I was told to concentrate on forcing blood-flow from behind my eye, down my neck and into my arms and hands. When proprerly done, your hands will feel warmer with increased circulation. This takes some serious concentration and can be exhausting but it can be well worth the effort. I was often able to shorten my attacks from about 40 minutes to 15 or 20, and often with less pain.
This takes no training and isn't a form of TM or anything psychic. It's our very slight ability to alter our circulation which can have the effect of relieving the pressure on the blood vessel in the eye which indirectly causes our pain. Dr. Wright said to think of it as "filling your hands" with redirected circulation. When awake, I was sometimes able to entirely abort an attack with this method.
In order for this little trick to work, it's important to start as soon as you feel the beginnings of an attack. Anything you can do to retard the circulation to the head will help. If you begin this, do not stop until you feel definite relief. I suggest you keep at it four or five minutes longer than you feel necessary to insure success. It isn't necessary to sit absolutely still but it IS necessary to KEEP AT IT. It isn't easy and there will be times when it won't seem to work but I found that most of the time it had at least some effect.
Even when you awaken with a screamer, give it a try and keep at it. I know this is the hardest time to try something like this but what is there to lose?
This is all I learned of this techinque and I found it had some effect the first time I tried it. It's far from perfect but it's at least something with which to fight back. It's good thing to use while waiting for medications to kick in or when you are between apppointments. Give it a try and I wish you pain free days and nights.
Stay well,---Charlie S