Gary.Bewell.Of.129/34@f34.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Gary Bewell Of 129/34) (05/31/90)
Index Number: 8536
[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference on Fidonet]
Sorry to take so long to get back. Had a few technical problems.
You asked me if I had more trouble doing self-hypnosis when I am
under stress. I'm not sure. How's that for a probable-maybe?
Most of the time I recognize that I am under stress and use
hypnosis before the stress becomes overpowering. I do however have
the problem of using hypnosis when the pain level suddenly
skyrockets. This has been the situation with the whiplash pain.
My 'normal' MS-related chronic pain takes time to reach its peak.
Although I am under it constantly, I maintain it about level 3 on a
10 scale. If I brush my leg, the pain will gradually worsen.
About 12 hours later it peaks if I don't use hypnosis. It will
then gradually decrease over the following 3 days provided I don't
aggrevate it more (which is very difficult to prevent).
I am so familiar with this that I start using hypnosis immediately
and I rarely reach level 7.
With the whiplash related pain, it hits so fast that I can't try to
counter it with hypnosis. Depending upon what triggered it, I may
or may not be able to do self-hypnosis.
When I can't do self-hypnosis, I listen to a hypnosis tape that was
made for me, or try diverting my attention by listening and humming
a song, listening to a talking book, or computer
programming--anything that will absorb my mind and take it off the
pain.
As for stress, it does make the pain worse and makes concentration
worse, but with years of practice I tend to recognize it and use
the self-hypnosis before the pain and stress get out of hand.
I use what I call a quick fix in these situations. I can relax
myself by closing my eyes and quickly feeling the relaxation
spreading up my legs, buttocks, back, arms, neck, and head. It
takes me just a couple of seconds. I repeat it several times if I
have the time. It isn't as efficient as the 20 minute hypnosis,
but most stress situations don't allow me 20 minutes.
Gary
# Origin: T.P.V. - Calgary, Alberta, Canada (NETWORK 8:7500/198)
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