I used my resperate for the first time today - two sessions. This evening I got down to 4.1 BPM in a 15 minute session. I took my blood pressure immediately afterwards (I did not take it beforehand to compare), but my BP was higher than it has been for several days. I followed the tones and the breathing rate the machine was telling me. I did not try to go that low. I was shocked when I looked down and saw that my breathing rate was that low. Is that rate too low? If so, how do I keep the machine from taking me that low? I have a lot of hope for this machine and will not give up with one day's use.

Pam,
This is a classic case. We usually recommend not to breathe below 5.0 BPM for this exact reason. Although it can not definitly be linked directly to a resperate session, it's possible that breathing at 4.1 BPM is probably strenuous. I understand that the tones guide you and you're simply following the tones. This actually used to happen to me. What I did was change my session to a 10 minute session (as opposed to the default 15 minute). The reason for this is that most people, myself included, are comfortable at a rate of 6-8 BPM. If you change to a 10 minute session, there's a less chance that you'll end up at that low of a breathing rate.
Also, what is your initial breathing rate. We actually like to recommend starting above 10BPM and then slowly and gradually work your breathing rate down to below 10BPM.
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Breathe Easy!
Marguerite (IMG:http://forum.resperate.com/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

I've been doing better lately. If I dip below 5 BPM I breath a little faster. Along these same lines, I guess you could say that I am normally a "slow-breather". The other night lying in bed I noticed that my husband's breathing rate is easily double what mine is. I always thought he breathed too fast, but maybe I'm just slow! It is not at all unusual for my sessions to start out at 10 BPM or even slightly lower. If a person starts out at a lower BPM, does that mean we need to get lower than 5 BPM for results? Does the starting point matter?

I also am just beginning to use the machine, and have a slow breath, at the end, below 5 bpm.. I start out about 13bpm... and my Blood Pressure was higher after using it than before..

I was using it at work ( I can close the door to my office).. customer service suggested I may be having trouble relaxing, and implied I not be too ###### (my words) about checking my BP..

I have the machine at home, I do feel a little more relaxed.. still no overall results..

If you are experiencing an increase in your BP immediately after a RESPeRATE session, then it's probably because you've just put too much effort into that session. Although breathing at or below 5BPM may not feel like an effort, it in fact may be! (especially if you are seeing your BP go up after!) What I like to recommend is to temporarliy change your session to a 10 minute session. Why? The longer you are in a session, the further down it will try to bring you. In a 10 minute session, your final breathing rate may be more near 6BPM, as opposed to 5BPM or below. When you're breathing at a slower rate during a RESPeRATE session, the longer exhale is more pronounced and is more difficult to maintain, without a slight "strain".
Breathe Easy
Marguerite

Hi Marguerite
You mentioned in your reply above - "we recommend starting above 10 BPM". How is that achieved? Should I artificially breathe faster than normal during the recognition phase since my usual starting BPM is about 7?
Thanks!
Chris

Feeling more relaxed is a very important step! I does take, for some people, a few more sessions to get into the groove. An important factor to remember is that it is not how low you go, in terms of the breathing rate. For many, it's just as beneficial, if not more, to breathe at 8BPM rather than say, 5BPM. Also, comfort is key!
Breathe Easy!
Marguerite (IMG:http://forum.resperate.com/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

I, too, am addicted to taking BP. Advice from my doc was to check once a week at his office. It is hard to leave that cuff alone once you get addicted to it. Stop taking it 30 times a day, like I know you do, I did.

email me anytime to talk about it at ammeoli@yahoo.com