Self-hypnosis has been reported to be useful as a coping strategy for children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF).^1,2 Among these patients, use of hypnosis has been demonstrated to foster an improved attitude about health and sense of independence, as well as decreased anxiety.¹ Hypnosis also has been reported to be used by patients with CF to control pain, taste, and nausea.²

Patients with CF at the Upstate Medical University Cystic Fibrosis Center have been routinely offered instruction in self-hypnosis for the past 2 years. The following case report illustrates how hypnosis allowed a patient and his physician to gain important insight about how CF affected the patient's behavior.

The patient's name was changed to protect his confidentiality.

	CASE REPORT

Larry is a 13-year-old patient with CF, who suffered from meconium ileus with colonic perforation at birth for which he required a colostomy for 7 months. He also underwent sinus surgery at 11 years of age for chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps associated with CF. Otherwise, he has not required hospitalization.

Currently, Larry has no cough, wheeze, or shortness of breath when he is well. He uses nasal fluticasone for his chronic sinus disease. His respiratory therapy includes salmeterol, flunisolide, and rhDNAse. He also receives high-dose ibuprofen therapy (21 mg/kg/dose bid) to control his CF-associated airway inflammation. He receives chest physiotherapy with aid of an ABI Vest (American Biosystems, Inc, St Paul, MN) for half an hour daily. He requires pancreatic enzyme and fat-soluble vitamin supplementation on daily basis. His gastroesophageal reflux is well-controlled with ranitidine and metoclopramide therapy.

On physical examination in July . . . [Full Text of this Article]