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) -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!34!Gary.Bewell.Of.129/34 Internet: Gary.Bewell.Of.129/34@f34.n129.z1.fidonet.org