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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Vagal Nerve
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Re: Vagal Nerve
by Mary__0__0, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By Mary on February 21, 1999 at 23:31:32:
In Reply to: Re: Vagal Nerve posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on February 19, 1999 at 15:27:53:
: : : : : Mary, so glad you are reading the Heart Forum and GI Forum too. You are asking just the same questions I have, and looking for some means of dealing with a distressing health problem, I am sure. It is not easy to be told that symptoms are benign when they cause so much distress. I have noticed, and don't laugh, that when I eat more bananas the frequency of attacks diminishes (potassium?)Posture affects my attacks too, e.g stooping or slouching. Maybe we need to start a support group.
I'm 43 and have been bothered by PACs for a long time now. I am very interested in why this happens and as a result have researched quite a bit looking for a cause and a cure. I have been checked out many times and see my cardiologist regularly, but am still exhausted from panic (I guess its from the panic) after bouts of irregular beats and multiple PACs as I had today following a beer and an enchilada. I have concluded that after much self-analysis and reading about it, the vagus nerve or something related is where my problem lies. Mine seems to be extremely sensitive to gastrointestinal changes and easily irritated by tiredness, physical movements, following exercise, and from alcohol and caffeine, of course. However, I don't know what to do about
:
: it, but I sure would like to stop the nearly daily fear of dying. I too have
: children that I would like to see grow up.
: Hi Kevin,
: There's a relatively new support group for PVC's at: http://www.onelist.com.
: When you get there, first go to Health, then to Disorders/Disease, then scroll down the alphabet until you get to the listing: PeoplewithPVC's.
: Have you tried the chelated form of magnesium? I find that it helps both with the PVC's and stomach dysmotility. My email address is: ***@****
Dear Dr, Kevin & Mary,
I am so glad to hear that other's are experiencing some kind of effect that is connected to the vagal nerve and the stomach - I thought it was unique to me!! I am 43, very healthy, yet, whenever I experience any kind of serious stomach distress like vommitting from a virus, diahrrea, water borne disease, my heart beats fast, I get hot and sweaty, and I faint. I thought it was some kind of panic attack due to my now very strong fear of fainting and smashing my face on the floor (which has happened several times). Now I'm beginning to think there might be some vagal nerve damage. Can you advise? Is there any research into the connection between the stomach and the vagal nerve? Thanks!
Linda
Dear Linda
The vagal nerve plays a definite role in controlling stomach acidity and in stomach motility. The vagal nerve also affects the heart rate. However, what you describe may be vasovagal syncope. You should see a cardiologist for a formal diagnosis. If you have lost consciousness to the point of falling and injuring yourself, this is a serious matter. There are medications that can help prevent some episodes of fainting and sometimes pacemaker implantation is called for.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
Dear Doctor,
If one suspects vagal nerve damage, would one go to a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, or neurologist? Would treatment be along the lines of nutrition (change of diet, supplements, etc.) or what else?
Wouldn't an electrolyte imbalance affect the vagal nerve? If one suspects a magnesium or potassium deficiency, wouldn't supplements help? Also, I have read somewhere that there might be a connection between birth control pills and magnesium deficiency. Do you know anything about this? Along the same lines, wouldn't long-term use of Premarin (estrogen replacement therapy) affect electrolyte balance? I realize that I've brought up several "issues"; but somehow they seem interconnected.
Thank you,
Mary
In Reply to: Re: Vagal Nerve posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on February 19, 1999 at 15:27:53:
: : : : : Mary, so glad you are reading the Heart Forum and GI Forum too. You are asking just the same questions I have, and looking for some means of dealing with a distressing health problem, I am sure. It is not easy to be told that symptoms are benign when they cause so much distress. I have noticed, and don't laugh, that when I eat more bananas the frequency of attacks diminishes (potassium?)Posture affects my attacks too, e.g stooping or slouching. Maybe we need to start a support group.
I'm 43 and have been bothered by PACs for a long time now. I am very interested in why this happens and as a result have researched quite a bit looking for a cause and a cure. I have been checked out many times and see my cardiologist regularly, but am still exhausted from panic (I guess its from the panic) after bouts of irregular beats and multiple PACs as I had today following a beer and an enchilada. I have concluded that after much self-analysis and reading about it, the vagus nerve or something related is where my problem lies. Mine seems to be extremely sensitive to gastrointestinal changes and easily irritated by tiredness, physical movements, following exercise, and from alcohol and caffeine, of course. However, I don't know what to do about
:
: it, but I sure would like to stop the nearly daily fear of dying. I too have
: children that I would like to see grow up.
: Hi Kevin,
: There's a relatively new support group for PVC's at: http://www.onelist.com.
: When you get there, first go to Health, then to Disorders/Disease, then scroll down the alphabet until you get to the listing: PeoplewithPVC's.
: Have you tried the chelated form of magnesium? I find that it helps both with the PVC's and stomach dysmotility. My email address is: ***@****
Dear Dr, Kevin & Mary,
I am so glad to hear that other's are experiencing some kind of effect that is connected to the vagal nerve and the stomach - I thought it was unique to me!! I am 43, very healthy, yet, whenever I experience any kind of serious stomach distress like vommitting from a virus, diahrrea, water borne disease, my heart beats fast, I get hot and sweaty, and I faint. I thought it was some kind of panic attack due to my now very strong fear of fainting and smashing my face on the floor (which has happened several times). Now I'm beginning to think there might be some vagal nerve damage. Can you advise? Is there any research into the connection between the stomach and the vagal nerve? Thanks!
Linda
Dear Linda
The vagal nerve plays a definite role in controlling stomach acidity and in stomach motility. The vagal nerve also affects the heart rate. However, what you describe may be vasovagal syncope. You should see a cardiologist for a formal diagnosis. If you have lost consciousness to the point of falling and injuring yourself, this is a serious matter. There are medications that can help prevent some episodes of fainting and sometimes pacemaker implantation is called for.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
Dear Doctor,
If one suspects vagal nerve damage, would one go to a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, or neurologist? Would treatment be along the lines of nutrition (change of diet, supplements, etc.) or what else?
Wouldn't an electrolyte imbalance affect the vagal nerve? If one suspects a magnesium or potassium deficiency, wouldn't supplements help? Also, I have read somewhere that there might be a connection between birth control pills and magnesium deficiency. Do you know anything about this? Along the same lines, wouldn't long-term use of Premarin (estrogen replacement therapy) affect electrolyte balance? I realize that I've brought up several "issues"; but somehow they seem interconnected.
Thank you,
Mary
