Hey everyone,
Recently I started self-NCR treatment and think it is worthwhile to document my experiences in order to both learn and educate! I hope someone may find this useful. If you have any advice or guidance to offer me, I'd greatly appreciate it (I posted my questions at the bottom)!
The protocol I am following was describediny an email written by Ben, which another forum member forwarded to me.
Session 1 Began Tues, April 16, 2013
4 consecutive days: Day 1 (D1): upper and lower left turbinates (UL/L). Day 2 (D2): upper and lower right turbinates (UL/R). D3=D1. D4=D2.
1 finger cot.
Treat each turbinate 3-4 times each day.
D1 involved becoming comfortable with sticking a balloon up my nose. At some point, the balloon inflated into my throat, gagging me. Then it popped. After that, I decided I'd had enough for the day. Side effects of this day were soreness behind my nose on the left side. Probably from stretching the turbinates.
D2. I had a frustrating time getting the balloon out of the turbinates and into my throat. For some reason I find this more difficult on the right side. Expanding the balloon in the turbinates is painful, and caused me to tear up. I found trying switching turbinates helps, as well as changing balloons. Eventually I got to the open space though. I found 3 pumps of the bulb worked. 4 pumps and I would start to gag. I also felt popping in my ears after 3 pumps. This was a similar sensation to when flying on an airplane. Side effects again were soreness behind my nose, this time on the right side though. I also developed flu-like symptoms, mainly stuffiness.
I noticed improvement in facial symmetry after this day, which amazed me. Also, I believe my wonky feet (I have duck feet, especially on the right side) straightened out somewhat.
D3, D4. The flu-like symptoms had subsided, so I proceeded with treatment. I don't remember specific incidences from these days, so they must have been relatively unremarkable. I would inflate until my ears popped, and then would deflate. A couple more balloons popped, so I switched from size medium cots to large.
2 day break.
Other effects from session 1: Tiredness. I would often need to lie down after treatment. Feelings of calmness and focus. Temporary sensation in random body parts (arms, hands, legs).
Learning to attach the finger cot well was frustrating. Very important though.
Session 2 Began Mon, April 22, 2013
I am still just becoming comfortable with the treatment. It's a little unsettling to inflate a balloon (finger cot) inside your head!
4 consecutive days.
1 finger cot.
Treat each turbinate 3-4 times each day.
I began treating the middle turbinate as well.
D1:UML/L. No new and remarkable sensations. Again, inflation until my ears popped. 3 pumps was no longer working, likely because of a new balloon and it being attached differently. I instead used short, quick pumps, which inflated the balloon slower, but in a more controlled manner. This involved 20, 30 or more little pumps. I'm still apprehensive about over-inflating the balloon and harming myself, even though I'm not sure if this is even possible with only 1 balloon. As I see it, over-inflating will either a) pop the balloon or b) gag me, both of which I have already done and which caused no harm. However, it is always best to trust one's instincts, so I will continue to proceed with caution. I will try and inflate more as I become more comfortable with the treatment.
D2:UML/R. Again, pain and frustration due to balloon inflating inside the turbinates instead of the space in behind. Changing balloons solved this. I'm still trying to determine how much I should be inflating the cot. At around 3:50 in the vid below you can hear how much air is released from the balloon. This is significantly more than I have been inflating, so I will gradually work towards more inflation.
Mild headache after treatment, behind my right eye.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ngRpnBN3agD3=D1: Still getting comfortable with inflating the balloon. I used deeper pumps today, and even though I thought I was pumping a lot, not much air was released upon deflation. I would inflate until my ears popped, then slowly keep inflating. Often my ears would pop again. I do not believe I am over-inflating as I am not usually gagging (I gagged once today, which I had not done since session 1).
No post-treatment symptoms whatsoever so far. No fatigue either for the first time.
Edit: D4=D2: The entire procedure was more comfortable today. Again, inflating until ears popped, then deflation. At this point it gets harder to pump, as I gather the balloon is pushing against my skull.
No PT symptoms again or fatigue
QuestionsHow much inflation have people found to work? Is the optimal amount of inflation to the point just before gagging?
How many times do people treat each turbinate each day?
Thanks!