Is it possible that my trigger for TN is CONCENTRATION?
I have begun to notice a possible pattern. It seems that when I am concentrating I have the most attacks.
For example: When I am reading
Watching TV
Drawing
Thinking very hard
Concentrating on what people are saying
Has anyone else found this to be so?
Regards,
Phoebe
Thanks Phoebe, I was just thinking about the same thing.
For a couple of days now, the pain is coming every few hours.. HORRIBLE!! and the medication is worthless..
Now that i am pain free for a while i decided to ask this question: What triggers the pain? What awakens the demon?
When I am super busy ( I own a chocolate shop), I start feeling the signs and , without saying, it comes to hit me in the face. I am home now for a couple of days in the middle of the Christmas season and I can't do anything about. :(
What triggers your pain?
I don't know that concentration is in and of itself a trigger, though many people report sensitivity to activity which involves rapid or repetitive eye movement. Stress is also known to facilitate pain attacks, though the precise biological mechanisms involved still seem to be obscure.
One of the counters to stress and pain is mindful meditation. In many communities, you can learn the processes of meditation at a local YMCA, yoga class, or Tai Chi class (along with non-impact exercise, which is also often helpful).
Regards and best,
Red
Wow! I was wondering about concentration and stress as well. I was going to ask the question myself. Of course stress, like every other affliction in my life, could be a trigger.... I don't know whether to laugh or cry about that one!
Another thing, for me, is when my blood pressure seems to be rising (heavy exercise, etc). Which makes sense since (for me) there is a vascular loop on the trigeminal nerve, and I imagine as the pressure increases it pulsates against it harder.
Every morning when I stretch in bed I get an attack and also when I am holding my breath without realising it, like leaning forward etc.
I always have an attck when I am talking on the phone, which makes me anxious. So I am wondering if the anxiety of thinking about the pain before I even pick up the phone causes a strike as well?
Rachael, any pattern that varies consistently with position can involve a sensitivity to changes in blood pressure. Many other TN patients report occurrences similar to yours. Something that might help: before picking up a phone. Sit comfortably for a few seconds, and take in a couple of deep, slow breaths and let them out. The objective is to bring the air right down into the lower lungs, as if you were trying to expand your tummy from inside. This is a basic technique of mind-body centering and meditation, and it's often helpful in dispelling anxiety or stress.
Worth a try, at any rate.
Regards and best,
Red
Thankyou Red, I will give that a go! :)
Richard A. "Red" Lawhern said:
Rachael, any pattern that varies consistently with position can involve a sensitivity to changes in blood pressure. Many other TN patients report occurrences similar to yours. Something that might help: before picking up a phone. Sit comfortably for a few seconds, and take in a couple of deep, slow breaths and let them out. The objective is to bring the air right down into the lower lungs, as if you were trying to expand your tummy from inside. This is a basic technique of mind-body centering and meditation, and it's often helpful in dispelling anxiety or stress.
Worth a try, at any rate.
Regards and best,
Red