Vagus nerve

[belita857]

I am having  the similar problems.  I feel dizzy and then my heart starts racing and I feel like I need to have a bowel movement. It is very scary.


This discussion is related to VAGUS NERVE and STOMACH or HEART LURCHES (spasms).

[paulw8]

Wow, is it sure good to here vegas nerve comments.  I also stumbled onto this website.  Have had the gerd, some heart palps, stomach lurches, anxiety, small hiatal hernia, arm and finger numbness, diarhea (diarrhea), breathing issues and my biggest problem of sleep starts/jumps/gasps all seeming to originate down by the middle of chest area. 42, male, have lost about 30 pounds in last 5 years, which is good but have driven people in my life nuts including myself.   I have a strong belief that the vegas nerve is the culprit, and after coming across this page I believe it more than ever...am considering chiropractic help but now real sure what path to take any more.  Big hugs to all!!  and someday we will get to the bottom of our problems.

Paul.

[oriental505]

Hi there,
I am a former Intensive/Coronary Care and Emergency RN but for the past 15 years have been  on the other side of the fence as an energy clinician.  Energy medicine works with the body's energy, ultimately the human body's nuts and bolts. Rather than dealing with symptoms we look for the cause of the problems!  I have been having all the symptoms you guys refer to since as far back as I can remember (I'm 54).  I am teaching my students of my theory of the super importance of the Vagus Nerve.  I am currently conducting research into this and how energy medicine can help. I'm astounded with what I see and how it all seems to relate back to the Vagus Nerve and more. Keep you posted.
Bx

[abbymae]

my personal experience began in feb 08. woke up one morning with chest pains. had no previous problems.  doc treated it like ulcer and put me on previcid 30 mg. chest continued to hurt. in april i got to where i couldn't swallow the pills anymore. had to take them apart and put in applesauce. had constant dirareaha. lost 15 lbs. only weighed 128. june 08 had EGD. tell me i have barretts esophagus with no prior symptons.  double the previcid which had never worked. could nt eat anything. pretty much lived on baked potatoes and pasta  for months. in july my heart started skipping and palpatating and chest and left arm pain. i can sympathize with all of you. that will cause stress which causes more palpatations which is a vicious cycle.  had all the cardio tests including EKG, echo, cardiolite adn the heart cath too. valves all good, no clots, no clogs, no heart issues.  So why is my heart not beating right???  taking xanax to calm me down because it is so stressful.  makes me tired, no energy. went back to the digestive doc last week. here is what i am learning.  the swollen esophagus from GERD and acid is putting pressure on the vagus nerve which goes around and intertwines with the heart causing the palpatations and skipped beats. he switched me to prilosec which has FINALLY taken away the chest pain THANK GOD and put me on a anticholinergies drug. it is suppose to inhibit the action of the vegus nerve on the heart. only been on it for 7 days so far. He said there was no quick fix and it would take awhile. have also found that taking apple cider vinegar and honey mixed together will help aid digestion by naturally producing bicarbonate which is your bodies natural antacid.  Which is also the main ingrediant in baking soda..  A dill pickle will also help with the chest pain by causing the same effect.  I hope my money and experience will help some of you out.
God bless

[Melissa1972]

I too have suffered with the same symptoms, relieved to know its not just in my head as some people make it out to be or that Im over sensitive. My childern have seen me when I have these "attacks" as I call them. They have seen me turn completely white, almost pass out and sometimes my hand or hands turn purple. Certain foods make my attacks come on or sometimes activity. I sometimes would even have difficulty walking across the yard. Im a 36 year old female, always have been very active, pretty fit and healthy. This has been very devestating to deal with.  I went to a med doctor last year and was tested for H pylori and it was a positive. I did not take the antibiotics for it. I have lost wieght, which I was thin to begin with.  I too have the dizzyness, pain down arms and legs, have upper chest pressure, heart palpatations, sometimes have to go to the bathroom right away (sometimes after I have a bowel movement it helps), strange feelings of my nerves pulsating- sometimes on the top of my head sometimes near my left shoulder blade or on the bottom of my left foot. Very odd symptoms and no medical doctors want to listen. I started seeing a chiropractor last year for another reason which I thought was unrelated. And it was the best thing for me.I told him about all my strange symptoms at the first appointmen and he helped me right away.  My symptoms started to go away and I was able to get back to my normal activities, and felt better than I ever had in my life. Couldn't believe I was walking around in such misery for so long!! I since moved and have went about 2 1/2 months without going to the chiropractor and guess what-- symptoms slowly started to creep back. Then 2 weeks ago I had to call 911, my heartrate was extremely fast and I was dizzy and very sick. I was alone at the time and couldn't get ahold of anyone so I called 911. My heart rate was over 137 and it lasted for almost 3 hours. The hospital did an EKG, and blood work which both turned out fine. I explained to them I thought it was all related to my stomach but never had my heartrate up this high and for this long,,,and could not get it to calm down.  The ER doctor thought I may have had a panic attack and I know I didn't and he seemed to just brush it off like I was crazy, (which maybe thats up for debate!!) They said maybe its a peptic ulcer and recommended I have tests done. Yeah right.  So I found a chiropractor in my area and went to him 2 times so far ,once a week and the heart palpatations have gone and the funny feeling in my chest and the pain down my arms and legs have also gone. I still get some upper gas pressure but not like it was getting again after not going to the chiropractor for those couple of months. I think there must be a connection with digestion and the vagus nerve but what is the cause, the stomach acid irritating the nerve or the nerve making the stomach produce more acid and the symptoms. Hmm interesting , I hope this has helped and maybe we can start to understand our bodies and hopefully get some answers somewhere. Im glad I found these postings it sure has helped knowing that Im not imagining this. Thanks, Melissa

[wm1]

I have had this problem for about 13 years now , It started when I was about 27. I can still remember my first attack. It was right after eating a fairly large meal at Olive Garden. I felt the thumping of the heart skips, got sweaty, heart racing, caused panic, etc. I went to the hospital, all fine other than elevated blood pressure.

After that I suffered pretty badly with it for about 2 years, thinking I had all kinds of problems, saw a number of doctors etc.  One actually told me it was a vagus nerve "attack". Those words did not connect until past year or so.  I started to learn to live with it.

It seemed to get better for a while (happening less frequently) but it would sometimes come back with a vengance but would seem to go into mangeable remission for long stretches.  Now over the past year or so it happens ALOT. I will sit there and analyze what is happening and I have come to the same conclusions as so many of you, it is the vagus nerve being out of whack or pressure on it,  if I can just find the pressure point in my stomach it would stop. (haven't found it) but have just realized that bearing down helps alot.  

I also have severe hpermobile joints in my neck and back causing  pain, tight muscles etc. I also wonder if that is causing stress on my vagus. It does seem that the stress of worrying over it makes it worse  but so many times it just starts out of the blue which leads me to believe it is not self created.

I think if this is ever seriously studied that they will find this is the cause of many diagnose's of anxiety disorder which I think is the symptom not the cause of these horrible sensations.

I have  2 close friends who have the same problems so it is either more common or the stressful lives we live make it worse thus more noticeable.

[INHIM709]

wm1
I went to my chriopractor today , I told him of my high BP reading and about this thread on the vagus nerve ,I asked if he knew of any on going studies on the vagus nerve , he is giing to look into it, I also did some reasearch on my own .The vagus nerve actually is the 10th crainal nerve it is one of the longest nerves in the body, you speak of your neck problems ,I also have cervical subluxation , my chrio, explaned to me that the vagus nerve passed thru the neck area , so any cervical neck problems  could very well disrupt the nerve and affect quite a few organs , my biggest problem is the effect it has on my blood pressure and pulse 210/102/92 the lurching , chills so hard I cannot get warm , I hear so many speak of the same symptions i have experienced ,but most of all I hear a need for relief , thank God these are seemling not heart related but the vagus nerve dose have 3 leads to the heart the stress and anxiety know matter how we try are there, also there surly is some toll on the body when we experience what we do , I am really intrested in this subject of the vagus nerve I will continue asking questions I am going to ask my dr. to really take an intrest I hope we can all get some
help
.inhim709

[pauly8]

This whole vagus nerve thing is extremely interesting.  I posted earlier about some of my symptoms and what I didn't mention before is that my identical twin brother also has exact similar symptoms as mine.  We both have small hiatal hernias, have been to countless doctors and never get anywhere.  We also have lower back pains, some upper leg pain and the big big kicker for both of us is the monkey jumps or gasps that we both have at night.  We are convinced that it is 100 % physical.  We are not anxious people no matter what the doctors say.  Have been on and off too many unneeded medications and seem to never have an exact diagnosis.  It always seems to be a mystery.  Having a twin to talk and experience this is great however we dont want to live with this forever.  We have analyzed and have noticed some observations that might be of interest. 1.  Too much sugar in our diets (always have liked it and lots of it.)
2.  Always eat (ate) too fast, gulping our foods and finished before everyone.
3. used to be a little bit overweight  10 to 20 Lbs (mainly in the stomach area where it sticks out a bit
4.  both have small hiatal hernias ( 2cms)
5. both have the sleep problem waking up with gasps and sometimes with unclarity.
6.  both have back pains that seem to wander; legs, upperback, shoulder etc
7.  both have always been active and sometimes wonder if excersice may effect us adversely
8.  moderate drinkers and big choclate and coffee freaks. (not anymore)
9.  Another theory (and i stress theory) we have is as we lose weight, we both discover that our problems increase for awhile.  We think this might be due to the stomach shrinkage causing more movement in the  somewhat damaged diagphram area where the vagus nerve could be pinched
... some of these are things in the past, but just trying to get information out there.
      We need to post as much info as we can.  Maybe if enough people with this problem can come together, we could get some sort of questionaire to all the sufferers, submit it to a doc who wants to do some research on the matter.  It just seems like no one is studying this bizaare **** that so many of us have in common.  We are in the process of going to the chiropractor.  I will continue to update this forum on our progress.  REMEMBER you are NOT CRAZY !!!!!!!!!!  This is a REAL CONDITION!!!!    How about a big find in 09

[Ronrich]

I went to the doctor about stomach pain I have had 34 years.  On and off I had scans etc.  nothing ever found.  I often get eye spasms and spasms up my neck and the side of my face when my stomach tightens.  When I told him of this symptom he said it sounded like the vagus nerve and stress.  I am being scheduled to go to a gastro doctor and hope to explore this vagus nerve theory.  I also have kidney stones quite often as well as prostatitis.  My general practitioner has me on 40 mg of Prilosec and an antispasmodic.  I also take Lorazapam and Lexapro for the anxiety I get along with the continued pain.                 Sincerely ROn

[Kats13]

(second time trying to post this) This has been awesome finding other people with the same symptoms, I was started to think I was falling apart and I am only 41. I am currently being investigated for racing heart, skipping beats, light headedness, have to catch my breath, all this started about 2 months ago. For at least 2 years, I also have constant right ear pain, right throat pain, saw an ear doctor, and had ultrasound of neck, and all negative. Right shoulder pain, saw physio, right handed numbness and tingling. My eyes feel buggy and have had my prescription checked twice. Now reading this, I am seeing that the 20 pound weight loss, and the sleepless nights over the past two years might all be related. In the last 3-4 years, I have also had two episodes of feeling like I was having a heart attack.  They did ECG, but decided it was GERD, and prescribed Nexium. I also experience twitching in my right groin, had a right kidney stone and what feel like "sparks" going off just above my right ear, which sometime lead to a head ache.  My doctor is trying to figure out what it all means, but I have to admit, I am only putting this all together, and have now written this all down to bring it all to her attention. If it is this vagus nerve, and something is making it act up, then it is worth investigating. Again, this has been very helpful, and thank you all for sharing.

[SMHaven]

Hello, I just came across this site looking for information on the vagas nerve and gastroparesis.  I have a condition called Fibromuscular Dysplasia, a disease of the arteries that can affect many different arteries.  I have the disease in 2 arteries leading to my stomach as well as my carotids.  The blockages in the stomach arteries caused severe gastro problems.  I spent several months seeing several docs in my hometown before going to Mayo Clinic - they diagnosed within 2 days. Unfortunately, the arteries were blocked for so long, I developed gastroparesis, so my stomach does not digest food properly or fast enough.  My new gastro doctor feels the vagas nerve was damaged by the blockages & caused the gastroparesis.  Gastroparesis can cause many of the symptoms you describe; it may be worth looking into. I had many of the same symptoms you discribe;  chest pain, heart palpitations, acid reflux, weight loss, inability to eat, constant abdominal pain, etc....

Good Luck to all of you, I hope you find your answers !  

SMHaven

[sarah555]

i have had very very similar experiences to yours...


can i ask you if youve found if certain foods bring on these symptoms more than others? or if alcohol affects any of you???

i have gotten 'anxiety' stamped on me numerous times --> i DO NOT HAVE ANXIETY... do these people not think you do not know what anxiety palpitions feel like by the time you are 27??! (my age).. i have had those since i was a KID before presentations... not when i accidently eat pasta made w/ vodka sauce/ eat spicy food / lift a 20 lb bag... ridiculous... i am sorry --> THEY must suffer anxiety themselves.. either that or be too stupid to throw around such a real term so lightly

my guess to why my heart condition is vagus nerve related is because i used to be bulimic when i was younger where i believe now would regularly cause wear and tear to the vagus nerve -- i have learned that eating alot/throwing up and gastro problems (laxative use) will aggravate it... i remember daily experiencing a fast heart rate and palpitations after eating alot and after throwing up along with anxiety... it went until one day i suppose my body couldnt take it anymore and my heart went nuts - up to 150 beats a minute/skipping beats/going crazy... since that day i havent been able to throw up/eat certain things (spicy food/alcohol/some dairy/etc)/burp excessively/smoke/overeat/get riled up or excited/lift heavy things and/or exercise w/o having very serious side effects ( high b/p or high heartrate w/ palps..)

i feel dead and alone and feel there must be some damage done there...


i experience other symptoms dissimilar to yours w/ the alcohol (cant have a sip w/o an attack) so obviously i have developed a sensitivity or a processing disorder where i cant filter the alcohol...


i do not know if the vagus nerve is the problem but because of the bulimia have been curious and ive been doing some digging on the topic and found that on some level this should tie into what is happening to me


it has been interesting reading your stories -- and helpful :)

[Debster808]

It so so exciting to find other people with the same symptoms!! I started having these symptoms 3 years ago after eating a large greasy meal (shepherd's pie) Had the thump thump feeling in my chest followed by my stomach in knots, light headedness, and immediate diarrhea and heart racing. I ended up losing 20 pounds because eating at night or overeating seemed to cause it. Then my doctor and I noticed that eating meat and greasy foods seemed to bring it on as well. She eventually decided it was my gall bladder which was filled with sludge and would explain the food correlation. However, it's never explained to me the weird spasm I get in my chest. I've since been a vegetarian, which seemed to stop the symptoms mostly, but I still get it every once in a while. Caffeine will immediately bring it on as well as alcohol.  Has anyone else had it relate to Gall Bladder before?

It truly seems diet related to me, when it's happening it feels like something is stuck in my stomach/intestines. Drinking carbonated beverages seems to help a lot. I get constipated sometimes, and that seems to trigger it as well. So something pinching on the vagus nerve makes a lot of sense.  

Thank you all so much for posting your experiences so I know I'm not going crazy!!

[gmichael66]

Wow. Interesting. I too get told I have anxiety for my symptoms. No, I do not have anxiety I dont have any fear, danger precieved or not. I am happy, love life and love my hobbies, family, friends, crafts, etc.....

I have trouble catching my breath and it all started the nweek of Superbowl, I spent the week eating way too much, fried foods and junk and drinking way too much soda.

Heart lungs all fine, I havent been scoped yet but Im sure I have GERD as I have all the symptoms, had them for years.

Im 42, overweight, just lost 52lbs since feb 3rd and have been put on prilosec two times a day, so far it seems to be working a little, bit, Im cautious but still scared and am interested in hearing more of the vegus nerve thing.

My Pharmacist claims that indeed Gastro problems can indeed cause breathing problems and most peolpe dont realize it. I can catch my breath if I burp, drink sips of water, or really relax. I notice if I have to go to the bathroom, or am slightly constipated, I have trouble cathing my breath, then I finally go and I can catch my breath much better.

Anyone else have anything similar ??

Geoffrey

[phyl48]

I have similar problems with the "heart jumbing into throat" and at that moment, I will become dizzy, almost feeling as if I am going to pass out.   This dizziness only lasts second or so.  I have Gerds and hiatal hernia as well.  It seems to happen when I feel really full.  I can't stand anything tight around my chest or around my stomach.  

[MoonLuna]

I have had similar issues for many years but they have been episodic and seem to be brought on in times of extreme stress. The sensation is very unnerving. At times it feels like my stomach is actually beating opposite of my heart. I told my doc it feels as if it have 2 hearts in my chest when this happens. I have this need to expel a burp that isnt so much a release of gas as it is a spasm of some sort...but after the burp, there seems to be a cessation in the thumping sensations in my chest and abdomen momentarily.  I am taking Nexium and have been for several years.  I've had issues with GERD since my early twenties at which time i had an onset of asthma.  I have noticed that taking Donnatol has helped in the past...also i have taken Librax and that seems to work as well.  Although you should be careful when using these drugs as they are addictive.  Of the two, i recommend Librax the most because it is not so sedating.  For those of you who are suffering with this problem, i urge you to try this drug and see if it helps.

[rita46]

I had a vagotomy 37 yrs ago and been having problem eversince
they cut the vagus nerve to prevent ulcers, but they no longer do this
when a doctor hears this they grimace, and say it was a bad thing
it affects the heart....pulse rate...
metabolism...weight gain is hard to caounteract
absorption
thyroid...adrenals and all horomonal functions
the vagus is the control for the autonomic nerve system and the centre of all functions that are automatic
I haven't had a regular bowel for 37 years and the acid is damaging my esophagus
it is very serious. I would like to know wo else had the surgery??

[BBeazley]

About 7 years ago I started having problems with missing heartbeats, Once I laid down to sleep, my heart would start missing, it felt like a waterbed in my chest, it worried me so much, I would get frantic, get out of bed and go and watch TV. I was not sleeping much at all, I would lay awake at night thinking I was going to die on the spot, then during the day everything would be normal except for the missing heart beats. I got totally fed up with it, heart specialists, treadmill tests, it cost me a fortune. No doctor could figure out what was happening. All they wanted to do is give you another tablet and another test, no mention of diet and excercise ( no money in that). A friend of mine said to me , give up Beer, Biscuits and Bread for a couple of days and see what happens, well, all the problems have completely dissapeared. I am now on Gluten free and I feel terriffic.  

[TisIDi]

What good is any drug (Librax) if it is only a bandaid?  We need to find wellness for these problems not bandaid the disease.

[medtour2009]

"Had the thump thump feeling in my chest followed by my stomach in knots, light headedness, and immediate diarrhea and heart racing"

I started having these episodes earlier this year.  I've been to many specialists, including a GI doc, and all my tests have come back normal so far.  A few outliers: an ENT doc found an inflamed voicebox (must be related to the sore throat I've had for months), and a Naturopath found recent Epstein-Barr virus activity and a possible peanut sensitivity via an IGG blood test.  I'm pretty sure I've got LPR reflux (acid taste in mouth upon waking, etc), and have had trouble with nausea for months (maybe reflux related?).  I'm 29, and have had perfect health prior to this sudden onset of symptoms in Jan '09.  Anyways, it's these spells with the dizziness, heart palps and sudden bowel movement that have all the docs most interested.  Phaeochromocytoma and carcinoid syndrome are two things they thought it could be initially, but there is no evidence of this based on blood/urine tests and an abdominal CT.  So I remain confused and symptomatic.  I heard one doc muse that it could be reflux stimulating the vagus nerve that gives me the acute little spells Debster808 described above.  Too bad Prevacid didn't help much.  I'm hoping the Naturopath can assist, and maybe a trip to the Mayo Clinic, too, if nothing resolves and I start losing weight again.  Best wishes to all.

[ldunn]

This vagus nerve thing makes sense to me.  I'm a 54 year old female and I have had chest pains (sometimes quite severe) for several years now.  I usually get them in the evenings, after a meal.  They are intermittent pain that gets really intense and then eases off.  I will usually get four or five "attacks" an hour for four or five hours and then it may not happen again for a couple of months.

Of course, when this first started, I went to Emergency, thinking I was having some kind of heart attack.  I had every test known to man for heart, upper respiratory and stomach ailments and the only thing they could tell me is that I have Acid Reflux (GERD).

I was reading about GERD and I am also very gluten intolerant.  Apparently, these two fairly minor ailments can combine to flare up the Vagus nerve.  I believe that's what's happening to me.

Does anyone know if this is dangerous, or just annoying?  I am certainly going to try the dill pickle cure ... I love dill pickles anyway.  

Laurie

[Deborah652]

This 'posting' has been such a blessing to read. I have had chest discomfort now for almost 10 years. Cannot tell you how many times I have gone to the emergency room thinking I am having a heart attack. I live in the Tampa Bay area and have found a cardiologist who is fantastic. He did not dismiss my problems. He did do an angiogram, everything came back perfect. I felt like a weight had been lifted until the news started saying that the angiogram was not the 'gold standard' of testing for women like it is for men. Well, that started the fear all over again. I have had an endoscopy and my GI doctor said I have GERD and a hiatal hernia, all of which should have no bearing on the chest discomfort. I tend to disagree, but I am not a doctor so I took him at his word. I have been a migraine sufferer for over 30 years. Each time I would get a migraine (which was once a month) I would vomit for 2 days, almost on a hourly basis. I expressed a concern to my GI doctor wondering if that much vomiting could be the reason I have such chest discomfort, again he said no correlation. I did mention this to my cardiologist and he said it most certainly could cause chest discomfort. Needless to say I believe it is time to look for another GI doctor. My symtoms seem to be more bothersome at night. I too cannot tolerate wheat and have just recently taken it out of my diet. So far no significant change in the discomfort in my chest. I would like to think that the vagus nerve is the culprit. Would love to hear if anyone has been tested for this and if so, what can they do to correct the problem. I am already on Lipitor on a daily routine. I have been given Klonopin for stress, which does seem to help calm the panic when the discomfort in my chest strikes. Because of the migraines and how severe they are I am also given Treximet and Percocet to prevent trips to the Minor Emergency for shots of Demerol. If I could come up with a real reason why I feel this chest discomfort and panic when it starts, I believe that would be half the battle. Thanks, Deborah

[bernz222]

Thanks to everyone who has posted on this site.
My problems started at the beginning of the year and symptoms are the same as most of you. I believe that my condition was brought on by the drug Cipro.  I was given this drug and developed  severe colitus which lasted nearly a month.  It left me with many food allergies too. The first Dr. I saw said "panic attack".......I knew it wasn't.  The vagus nerve theory sounds right on to me.  My cardiologist says PVC's........OK,
but they just came out of nowhere.....something must have triggered it, because it's not just PVC's, it's not being able to digest food properly, can't stand anything tight around my stomach (waist) or chest, sleeping problems, burping....gas.....all the things discussed before.
I'm exhausted and will see a new Dr. on Monday..........I'm praying that she will listen to the Vagus Nerve Theory.  Will keep you posted and thanks again to all of you for the support that you have given me in reading your posts.  

[Tomskie]

I have had my vagus nerve symptoms for approximately 10 years.

I have noted some triggers. In my case I have a small hiatal hernia and any irritation (stomach acid/bile reflux) or upward pressure (heavy meal) on my upper stomach toward my diaphragm will cause a very erratic heartbeat.  I have a heavy metals (mercury) complication that causes a lot of digestive problems. I suffer from SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) which, when it flairs, makes these episodes more likely.
I have concluded that problem is nerve irritation in my digestive tract and not heart related.

I few tricks I use to end the more severe episodes are:
A glass of sea salt and water (relaxes the Sphincter of Oddi).
Taking an ativan (relaxes the nervous system)

I also believe that people who suffer with this problem have dysautonomia (often from something as simple as bad posture or tight clothes compressing the nerves of the digestive tract!) but good luck finding a treating neurologist.

To prevent episodes I try to strengthen my parasympathetic nervous system with oral Magnesium. I like the citrate form. It tends to calm the digestive tract and the heart.

So you aren’t alone, nor are you crazy. Sit up straight, loosen your belts, eat small meals, treat your reflux and take your magnesium!

[April2]

I definitely believe there's a connection to PVC's and the vagus nerve and digestive problems. I first started getting PVC's a couple of years ago. After a bunch of tests and determining my heart was ok they did finally discover a mass in my small intestine. I had pain and nausea that got worse till I finally went in and had them take it out. They said I had Crohns but was in remission because they removed it all in the surgery. Things seemed to get better and interestingly enough the PVC's went away for some time. I only got them occasionally when I'd have too much caffeine, lack of sleep, etc. Now their back a lot more but I also have been having a lot more heartburn, and I guess Gerd. I'm going to go back and see my GI on whether the Crohns is back or it's just the Acid Reflux or what's going on. But yeah, the PVC's always seem to be more when I'm having digestive upset. There's definitely a connection. I think more and more doctors are starting to realize that.

[jilly619]

My symptoms started around the same time I went peri-menopausal. Skipped beats, palpitations, burping, general weirdness. I did the usual cardio tests -- an event monitor for a week, an echocardiogram -- and everything came back normal, except for a couple premature heartbeats.

I believe my symptoms are associated with a vagus nerve issue, but I also believe in a peri-menopausal connection. I learned about the vagus nerve on a website called power-surge.com, which is for menopausal and pre-menopausal women. There was a doctor there (from England, I think) who put forward his theory on the vagus nerve and heart palpitations. Anyway, maybe the vagus problem is triggered by gastro issues in some; in me I think it's triggered by fluctuations in my estrogen level. The symptoms seem to increase at times when my normal cycle is low on estrogen, and I have few symptoms when my natural estrogen is higher. My gyn prescribed a low-dose estrogen pill which definitely seems to help.

I don't worry about it quite so much anymore but I do wish it would stop, The most helpful thing for me is to not stress out about it, but also to just stand up and twist my body around. This seems to bring the vagus nerve system back in order and makes things better. I find it very comforting when I have the palps and then I burp! It means I don't have a heart problem, just a vagus problem. My mother had the same thing at my age (which is 47), and she is close to 80 now. Actually she had it worse than me. She started taking a beta blocker, but my heart rate is naturally low and my gyn advised against the beta blocker. My mother thinks I'm crazy to be on HRT but I think anyone who has had these palps, and the accompanying stress, would understand why I decided to try it. Hopefully it'll get better in a couple of years, when menopause finally kicks in. (Never thought I'd be hoping for menopause!)

[jilly619]

I forgot to mention the worst of the symptoms -- these amazing adrenaline rushes that would fill my entire system. It feels like there's a golf ball in my throat, lumps in my glands and a buzzing in my body that won't go away. That's really why I decided to do the estrogen replacement. The adrenaline along with the palps were putting me over the edge. Since HRT I almost never have these surges anymore.

This is hearsay but a friend of mine told me that Oprah talked about heart palps and menopause not too long ago. If this is true it's nice to hear of this being a little more in the mainstream. It's annoying when no one in the medical community seems to believe or acknowledge what you're going through.

[beast250]

15 year sufferer. When I get an arrhythmia(AVNRT) from this I take peppermint oil drops and drink hot or cold water, burp, then lay down on my back. I was surfing the web a few years ago and found an old case study (early 1900's) from a doctor who separated the vagus nerve from the esophagus and achieved a complete cure. When I first started suffering from this I used to use kava kava for anxiety. Over the years trying to keep stomach problems under control is a main goal. Keeping good oral hygiene seems to help. I found that learning to breathe from your belly not your chest helps out a lot. Use peppermint oil drops to help with breathing problems and bloating. Dr. Weil has great ideas on natural ways to improve health in general. I believe the cause of my issues started when I got salmonella poisoning (threw up for a week straight among other things), never been the same since. I think that’s where I got the hiatel hernia. I think the gallbladder and liver may also be involved with this problem.

Best Wishes,

[LawLady24]

Hi   It's almost comforting to learn that others have similar problems, pvc, palpitations, dizziness, etc.  I'm 66 and had my first episode at 14 (I even remember the date !!)
I was taken to the family m.d. at that time and was told by him to GO HOME AND GET A BOYFRIEND !!  What a diagnosis!  I have had paplps. as high at 180 for hrs. and am exhausted when the heart finally gets back to a normal beat--then I need to take a nap--this disturbance is almost always sure to happen while I am sleeping--and I wake up ALWAYS ON MY STOMACH and scared stiff!

This past wknd. woke up at 4:15a.m.  and had my husband take me to the ER (again !)
I was given an EKG (it was normal) blood test for electrolyte and thyroid prolbem (none found)  bp was 144/86 when I was admitted to ER and 122/81 after an hour.

The cardio. m.d. on duty said  I may need to have me atenolol increased (I take 25mgs.)
as well as the Atacand (4mgs) that I take and then he CAME BACK IN AND ASKED IF IF EVER HAD MY REGULAR CARDIO. TALK TO ME ABOUT THE VAGUS NERVE !!

I will be seeing my own cardio. in a few days and can't wait to bring hm some or your postiings on this site!  I hope it's helpful to my problem and I will certainly get back on and let everyone know what was decided or tested or whatever regarding my case with the hope that some of you will be helped too!

Helen

[LindaTX]

WOW!  I feel like I just hit the jackpot of knowledge. I have been an a-fib sufferer for about 14 yrs. First started with reaction to ephedrine in diet supplements. Started on one antiarrythmic drug after another.  Doctors said it would just get progressively worse. Then I would have to have an ablation and stay on coumadin. Well, I've started on the dreaded coumadin and my Dr's talking ablation and soon!  I never even knew I had a Vagus nerve until recently. They all, and I do mean ALL, just want to treat the symptoms and not really deal with the root cause, because they don't take the time to research the root cause, which I think is directly related to the Vagus nerve. They're too busy spending all that time talking to the drug reps. You know, I'm on Rhythmol, Topral  XL, Coumadin, Synthroid, and sometimes I take Glucotrol XL. That's a lot of money going to those Pharmacutical companies. And all those drugs carry with them thir own list of side-effects. I hate to think that I, and many of you, have spent so much time running around in circles with thse issues. I have spent many days in the hospital waiting for my heart to go back into normal sinus rhythm and I've been within minutes of having to have my heart shocked {cardio-verted}. I recently read that 80% of arrythmias are , in fact, Vagus-related. I think we need to get a Vagus website.  Thanks for letting me vent. We gotta stick together.         LindaTX

[betty_on_a_journey]

My 31 year old son called me a few weeks ago with a request that I do some research for him. He has been having several symptoms that he and his doctors did not see as related, but, when his fingers turned blue at work one day an astute, middle-aged co-worker told him he needed to see a doctor fast. He has had many of the same digestive symptoms as others on this forum, in addition to kidney stones, excessive yawning, and low O2 levels when the Air Force had him take certain physical tests. After posting a request for answers on "Just Answers.com" a doctor told me to have him get his vagus nerve checked out since he was yawning numerous times an hour. Eureka! I now believe that this could be the root cause of his problems as well as mine, my deceased father and my grandmother. Hereditary?

I have had "health problems" since infancy - mostly digestion related and asthma. About 15 years ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia - to accompany my GERD, IBS, hypothyroidism, overactive bladder, asthma, etc. A couple of years ago I asked a friend (who is also a neurologist) if there couldn't be something causing all these problems. He said "it sounds like you have autonomic neuroapathy also called dysautonomia." He referred me to a specialist here in Birmingham, AL (a medical Mecca in the southeast U.S.) who diagnoses and treats dysautonomia as well as mitral valve prolapse. I have undergone several dietary and medication transitions, but a couple of symptoms keep reoccurring: dizziness/vertigo, spasms from my diaphragm up my chest into my jaws, occasional spasms in my neck and upper back, and bruxism (tooth grinding/tapping). I have found that a tooth guard at night has helped effects of the bruxism and reduced some neck pains, but WHY am I still doing this? In addition to prescriptive meds, I take natural vitamin/minerals and Omega 3,6,9 oils and have a regular chiropractor. What about this vagus nerve connection?

Then I saw on TV's "Mystery Diagnosis" a segment on histoplasmosis causing calcified lymphnodes in the chest (calcification means they become hard, right?) I have had this since childhood when I used to go to my grandparents' farm in the summers! And I have calcified lymphnodes! In addition, I found in my internet research an article about how the pressure of a hiatal hernia can cause vagus nerve irritation or damage. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_241-242/ai_107201216/  I asked my chiropractor if either of these situations could affect the vagus nerve to which he had a resounding YES. Okay, now what? I've seen so many specialists and had so many tests, etc. run over the past 15 - 20 years I don't know who can help me with answers. If I need to have the calcified lymphnodes out and the hernia fixed, let's get the surgeon on the phone.

I need answers and solutions so I can help my son. I do not want him to live with escalating problems until he is 56 and rarely leaves the house, never driving more than 5 miles from home. I am so afraid of the vertigo and chest pains coming on suddenly, I took disability retirement from teaching school, and have given up most of my hobbies and activities. Of course, the fall I took in the parking lot at school in January 2008 when I broke both arms, my knee, and tore my rotator cuff requiring surgery do give some affirmation to my anxiety. Then there is the time my daughter and granddaughter were visiting from out of state and we were shopping for groceries for a family get-together. They were almost panicked when I had the chest pains and wanted to call 911. I have told my family about the "episodes" but only my husband had seen one. It's scary and embarassing because it's sudden and there is no quick solution. More affirmation that this is not "all in my head" - which is hard for a person with dysautonomia to say. :-)

Any ideas or suggestions? Keep the up-dates on all your progress and research coming! Betty

[sheila41]

I have mild regurgitation valved problem which the docs.dont seem to worried about, but wondered if anyone has tried GPL carnitine with CoQ10 which I learnt about on a website. The cardiologist on there said this helps with most "heart conditions" rather than drugs. But don't know whether mine is a "heart condiion" or a vagus nerve condition. I do get very bad digestive problems when the heart races.  In fact just before an episode my stomache seems to go all "curdled or acidy", (bad destrictption) sorry.
Any one who has a comments on any of the above,  I would be glad to hear from.  Sheila 41

[Gem586]

Its good to read everyones comments. I,m 28 and on Saturday I felt sick thats the last I can remember my husband heard a bang an found me on our bathroom floor he said I was fitting.  He phoned for an ambulance but before the got there I had collapsed again and was shaking on the floor when they arrived my poor 2 year old son watching me.

I had landed on my face so my eyes, nose and mouth were in a mess.  Paramedics told me that due to me being sick on myself I probably had a bug and hd fainted due to that.

In the ambulance I collapsed again and my HEART stopped for 10 seconds, when I came round everyone was panicing.  I was in A & E for a while where I heard them talking about pace makers, then I was taken to the CCU were after Echos and other checks I was diagnosed with a over sensitive heart, which basically means that when I vomit, am stressed or in pain my VAGUS nerve desides to stop my heart for a while.

I was just told taht to prevent this I am not to get stressed or vomit......easier said than done

[wittylorrie]

Wow, wow and wow!!
I have been having the rapid heart beat and palpitations for a long time now. I started thinking about it recently and realized that for the most part if not all it would happen after I ate. Not always would I have this happen after eating but when It did happen it was always after eating.
I mentioned this to the docs after several 911 calls and ambulance trips to the ER. They never even blinked an eye to what I said.
I suffered from Bradycardia with beats as low as 34 with a average beat of 45 but in the last year or so it became very evident that something had to be done after extreme exhaustion and dizziness.
This past Wed I had a duel chamber pacemaker placed. Checked out Thursday and everything was ok, I ate very little. Friday very little. Sat I decided to have a small bowl of Couscous which is a wheat like pasta. Within I would say 20min my heart started speeding up and stated palpating. The ambulance was called and by the time they arrived I could feel it subsiding this is after some pacing on my part. They mentioned I was very pale but my heart was at 60 which is where the pacemaker was set and all my vitals were perfect. After some coaching I went with them to the hospital, they followed up and all vitals were perfect. They prescribed and stated I had to start taking Toprol XL to keep the speeding and palpitation away. I read up on it and was shocked and scared at the side affects but I am more scared of the speeding heart and palpitations so today I swallowed it. 25mg.
I just new in my heart and mind that some how these symptoms were related to food digestion and after reading this site I am convinced this is so! Now what does one do? The Docs do not seem to recognise this as a possible trigger to the heart rhythm problem. I have never been checked for Gird or Reflux, who knows maybe I have that I do not know. All I know is I have a Pacemaker which was needed and now taking this pill for something that might be correctable.
I'm 56 and had my Gall bladder removed 9 years ago. Had a baby when I was 24 and a hernia 14 years ago and they implanted a screen. Never and I mean never have taken prescribed pills other then an occasional antibiotic so needless to say I fought taking this Toprol XL. Wow I am sooooo relieved to know what I suspected could be a realization after reading so many comments about people having the same symptoms.
At least we all know we are not mental....well maybe most.
Thank you.

[wdt2000]

Add one more to the list of "Oh my God, I can't believe so many people have the same problem."  My thyroid went hyperactive about 14-15 yeears ago.  It was destroyed by radioactive iodine a couple of years later.  I still have the symptoms described by many of you folks, but I never had them before the thyroid situation arose.  Now with no thyroid for the past 12 years, I guess the only thing to blame is the vagus nerve.  I guess it's time to see the chiropractor.

Thank you for sharing your stories.
Bill T

[Tomskie]

You might want to arm yourself with some information before approaching your docs with this information. Citing many people online suffering with the same problem usually doesn't impress a physician. The condition is not that uncommon.

"The role of the vagus nerve has never been well established in previous studies. Some authors have observed that gastric secretory response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, a vagal-cholinergic stimulus, is impaired in some patients7,8 and that approximately 40% of patients with reflux disease have abnormal parasympathetic cardiovascular reflexes."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1356483/

and "abnormalities of cardiovascular reflex function" in 40% of reflux patients.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2920926

and problems with your parasympathetic nervous system may even be the cause of your reflux:

"Disturbances of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) estimated by short-term heart rate variability recordings."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15608363?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=4&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed

[Robb S]

I have read through most every post, a lot of interesting experiences and helpful opinions.  Just a short history on myself, skipped beats started 8 years ago when running, gradually developing over the years into long periods of atrial flutter that can last 24 hours.  Triggers now include lifting heavy objects, shoveling snow, stretching, eating spicy foods and drinking coffee.  I can even set off the arrhythmia by vibrating my abbs with a massager machine.  Doc is sympathetic to my problem but has nothing to offer other than beta blockers and has suggested RF ablation but that is treating the symptom and not the cause.  I will be trying the glut-free diet and a chiropractor.  My wife is seeing one that specializes on manipulating the atlas vertabrae in the neck.  Is there a certain chiropractic technique that is effective in treating the vagus nerve?  By the way, sleeping with 3 or 4 pillows elevating my upper body really minimizes reflux and I think has helped reduce the frequency of the arrhythmia coming on while sleeping.

Robb

[kendallblue]

Hi there,

I first began suffering the strangest of these symptoms about a year and a half ago. I have GERD and have been on various acid medications, have the diarrhea and all, but I also have Crohn's, and so much got lumped into that diagnosis.  However, a year and a half ago I woke from a dead sleep gasping with the sensation in my stomach of falling, going down hill on a roller coaster, over and over. This was coupled with the feeling that I needed to have a bowel movement, or that there was pressure or tremors in the bowel. I would then begin to tremble uncomtrollably, shivering like I was freezing, very suddenly. It all hit me at once in the night, and left me feeling half crazy! I'm unsure if there was any heart rate problem, but I did also experience the skipped beat feeling, as well. It continued nightly for several nights, and then faded away for some time. Now it comes on with a vengeance every so often and stays with me for a time, making me feel totally out of control and like I'm losing my mind. I want very much to find a doctor who can help with this situation, but am almost afraid to try to explain these strange symptoms. Not to mention the fact that I am out of work and without health insurance at the moment! I'm not sure where to turn at this point, but I honestly thought I was having a complete come apart last night at the prospect of spending the night with these terrible symptoms again..

[Peawhack]

Thank God I found this site!  I'm sitting at my PC now, desperate for some re-assurance that I'm not going to drop dead!  Last night was probably the worst night I've ever had with this bloody curse.  It was only a supreme effort of willpower that stopped me waking my dear wife to take me to casualty (ER). I know that it is stomach and vagus nerve related, but all of the signs point to a heart attack.  Reading all of the above comments from sufferers having the same signs as me  makes me feel not so alone, and that's as good as any medication.  I've decided to radically alter my diet and cut out fat of any description and also to see if not drinking alcohol helps - this has gone on for too long.  I'm 58 and have had all of the usual tests for heart and stomach problems, I'm on Ranitadine for a hiatus hernia and Ramapril for high blood pressure.  Thanks to all the people who have posted comments, as I said it, helps a lot.  God bless you all.

[TisIDi]

I have had much better success with a kinesiologist than a chiropractor or a combination of both.  My kinesiologist does deep massaging of the vagus which provides tremendous relief.  Anyway, if you know of a good one, talk to them about it all; seems to be helping me a lot.

Anyone out there tried accupuncture or accupressure?  Wondering if that, too, might be of help.

In wellness ~

[momonamission2]

It is both sad and a relief to see all of you out there with similar symptoms.  My symptoms started with a vengeance around 3 years ago after a recurrent upper respiratory infection, although I believe that it started as early as my childhood because we found some meds at my mom's house for GI spasms and I was only 4!  It is safe to say that I have had a "nervous stomach" for a long time, and often suffered when I was a teenager and early teens with anorexia for no apparent reasons.  But over the past few years I have been examining my past and found a great deal of stress and anxiety producing situations which have probably repeatedly injured or caused Vagus nerve dysfunction, unless it has been there all along but just not as prominent and painful as it is now.  We didn't go to the doctors when we were little, my mom just gave us paragoric.....maybe that's the culprit!  

As far as what you can do or how to test for this area, you should keep a diary and list all the meds, doctor's seen and their recommendations (whether you agree or not) situations surrounding the attacks (you'd be surprised what can bring it on and what you forget when you are at the doctor's office), any other symptoms including sweating, feeling faint, thirst, feeling of needing to urinate or have a bm or having trouble doing either, any skin or hair/nails symptoms, bone or muscle pains, menstrual cycle difficulties/changes and how it affects the symptoms, feelings of anxiety or "doom" (be truthful if you are depressed or anxious, because these symptoms can do both to you) any pins/needles or burning pain radiating to anywhere in your body especially down arms or in fingers/toes, skin color changes or chronic body temperature regulatory problems (chronic chills, feeling cold, or fevers/sweats/flushing), and try to document preceding "feelings", "auras", or any precipitating event that occurs before during or after your symptoms (they may have a cycle if it is hormonal...menstrual cycle, or come and go like some of the neuropathies).   After you have documented this be sure to keep track of what the doctors are ordering and ask questions about what they hope to find out by ordering the tests....some of them will try to avoid answering the question.....I have found that taking a page of my symptoms with me as well as a detailed history of what has/hasn't been ruled out helps, as well as whatever test results have been elevated or borderline.  (you would be surprised how much a subclinical thyroid or adrenal dysfunction can affect you and most doctors won't treat unless you are way under/over).  

My best advice to you is to keep on looking for information and print out the things that you think are relevant to take with you to the doctor's office.  They may argue with a medical article or information that matches your symptoms but may allow the tests to be ordered which will both offer insight or give you one thing to check off your list (I know you have one!) Then keep the doctor's comments and followup in your diary so that you can refer back.  Some of the most minute details can give a clue to diagnosis.

Some of the things you need to consider when you look at the body as a whole....is that these symptoms can be neurological which requires a neurologist, endocrine which requires an endocrinologist, or a neuroendocrinologist......cardiac needs a cardiologist.....GI needs a gastroenterologist or gastric dysmotility specialist........and then you need a good doctor to coordinate all of them.....Good luck finding one who can or will.....

My first statement to the new doctor or specialist is "I am a whatever it takes person, and I am looking for someone to help me in the same fashion to return to a healthy state....are you willing to help me?"  This has been most effective in making them aware that you are looking for them to be a team player and that you are "in charge".  It is empowering to you because you are telling them that you want answers and that you aren't going to give up or let them do it either.

As for myself, I have been diagnosed with idiopathic gastroparesis, idiopathic neuropathy, (idio...is the first part of the word idiot...hmm)  but have a history of pituitary dysfunction that they do not think is related (DUH!), as well as repeated problems with infections, both viral and bacterial, and blood anomalies that they can't figure out.  I have been worked from end to end and finally after a lot of research (and 4 hospital admits for chest pain) I took my xrays and films and looked at them myself.  I could see a widening at the top of my chest above my heart.  I took my labs and films with correlating diagnosis but when the doctor saw it he dismissed it.  He gave me a lab sheet for other bloodwork but it had the tests that needed to be done on it, and I checked them off myself. (desperation!.....I don't recommend doing this unless you are pretty sure the results will be positive.  Much prayer preceded my decision to do this and I believe that this was an opportunity provided by God to help me get well.).  The results came back as Myasthenia Gravis and the doctor then ordered a CT which showed a mediastinal mass.  In September, I had thymectomy which shows at present as thymic hyperplasia.  A big sigh of relief here, but I have more testing to do because of the blood dyscrasias that are still ongoing...now they mean something....HAH!.  It also doesn't necessarily explain the gastroparesis unless the mass was pressing on the vagus nerve which I am going to find out next week.  It could be a paraneoplastic type of reaction to the abnormal cells in my body, but I am whatever it takes...remember?  I have to have an answer so that I can focus on completely healing.

My biggest advice to you is to be fearless....you have been given one body to care for, and the doctor's are just a blip on the screen of your life.  Having a son with autism has taught me a lot about this....you have to just keep going UNTIL.... They can help you or not, but you can take charge and get answers or change direction, but you can't give up.  I have felt like I wanted to many times, and some days I was just as afraid of what the answer might be as I was of not ever finding an answer  (imagine what my brain did when I saw the mass on my chest xrays!), but you have to keep looking because the body works together with the mind, spirit, and soul and when one is "ill", they all go down.  Believe in yourself and let me know of your personal stories....Blessings to all for total and complete healing... Momonamission 2

[Robb S]

Can you be more specific on how the kinesiologist has helped you?  What were your symptoms and do the triggers to them completely disappear after treatment?  How often do you need a treatment?

I have decided to see the electrophysiologist next month but am still open to treating the cause over suppressing the symptoms.  I did a quick search of kinesiologists in the Milwaukee area.  I found one listing, actually a chiropractor who practices applied kinesiology.

I have tried accupuncture.  I honestly can't say that it helped at all.  This was a Chinese doctor.  She first tried sticking me in the back along the spine to treat my arrhythmia.  I explained to her that I thought the problem was coming from my vagus nerve so she then tried a few locations above my stomach.  After a few weeks of that I decided that it was a waste of my money.  It did nothing for me, maybe someone else would have better results.

[Woodey260]

What I would suggest is you all get together and see what is the common denominator.  From reading several of your articles, it would
seem that eating too much, being overweight, and stressed seems to play a large part in your systems.  Stress is a big one and can affect your body in many ways.  

It's the times we live in, and this generation certainly are overweight compared to past generations.  Our life styles, no walking, too many TV games, not enough interaction between yourselves other than cell phones which I believe with excessive use will cause brain tumors in about 10 years..

Don't mean to be a downer but that is what I have observed in this blog and in real life.  I worked in the school district and some of the teenagers were over 300 lbs.  You would not have seen that 25 years ago.  I notice to, you all real young to be having health problems.  When I was in my twenties I had no such systems at all.

Must be our environment, our fatty junk food, and the stressful life we live in.  Young people have to worry about STDs and Aids which we did not, for example.

[LindaTX]

I take it you're new here, Woodey, real new.  You should check out a few more discussions before you judge.  "Welcome to the Palpitations Room" is one that quickly comes to mind. There are almost as many triggers as there are people who have them.  Keep reading and you will see.  A lot of us are older, maybe older than you.  A lot of us work out regularly.  Its usually not exercise-related. Do you actually have a heart-rhythm issue? Maybe I just didn't understand WHY you posted here.  Sorry

[LindaTX]

Sorry, I thought you had posted in the heart rhythm forum.  Either way, I believe your common denominator is the incomparable Vagus nerve.