Vagal Nerve Help. Syncope with cold drink

I am 53 female. I also have this condition and I have not been able to get any info on it, only that is a vagal thingy. I can say that this is a very frightening experience! The pain  from swallowing too cold a drink is so severe there is no wonder why you pass out.  Like intense brain freeze in your chest. I believe my heart just 'stops'. I swear one day it will kill me. I am sooo careful about swallowing anything cold and sip ever so carefully but it still happens, maybe not pass out, but incredible pain. I go every 6 months to heart doc who monitors me (irregular heartbeat) had a tilt table test, pain too on that.... Hate!!! But I really don't know what the hell this is. I also think Vagal thing is a catchall when no one knows.  The only thing that helps is quickly trying to warm your breath with hands and sitting down quick with hands over mouth. Does Anyone else out there have this weird thing???  We all need better answers for this  scary problem.


This discussion is related to Vagal Nerve Help.

[Jamie5455]

Did u ever find out what causes the pain when you drink cold drinks? I'm 56 and have experienced this more than one - and the pain is unbearable, chest and middle back! Happened again the other day when I was drinking a slushy?  Let me know if you found any help.....thanks

[Grandma768]

I am also 56 years old and pass out after drinking icy cold drinks. I however do not experience chest or back pains.  

[bumblebre456]

i'm only 25 and completely healthy, but the other day i gulped down a cpl drinks of pop/soda and immediately after, got a sharp stabbing pain in my upper stomach/lower chest, just under my sternum. Seconds later, i got extremely light headed and dizzy and passed out, hitting my head on the way down. doc said it was because my vasovagul nerve spasm'ed. Never happened before... (but i got fired because of it.)

[tmarieq]

I had this happen many times. Pain when swallowing too cold drinks. One time drinking a Starbucks Frappicino, The pain was excruciating enough to pass me out on the floor of Starbucks. Now I am careful not to drink very cold drinks and I warm up ice cream in my mouth before swallowing. It is Vagus nerve, spasm, which is near heart.