What is Valsalva & Vagus . .

[DeltaDawn23]

Tom_H you described this and I can't find the thread -- would you please describe it again?  I am on my  way to an electroconversion unless I can get my Afib stopped.

[Mom2four85]

oh no you're still waiting? that has got to be so frustrating I think I wouldn't be very nice dealing with the doctors/hospital.

You name it, I've probably passed out there lol after so long you get used to it...but my poor husband had never seen anyone pass out before me so it was a bit of a shock at first...now he just waits and makes sure I'm ok...

oh at work was so bad, I was in my 20's and when I didn't come back from break they started checking, luckily I had gone #1 stood part way up to pull my pants up and bam it was lights out against the concrete wall; the worst part was I worked with all men! they just called paramedics and I got a few days off work :P  I was the "butt" of their jokes for awhile after lol

Tom it's great you haven't made yourself faint, any time I hear someone does it, I can't help to think of danger if they don't do it right - but you've done it for so long you're used to it.  I just can't imagine one of my children having to do that, it must have been difficult as a child living with WPW.

Here's one of the links - http:// www.toilet-related-ailments.com/ valsalva-maneuver. html (take out the spaces)

[DeltaDawn23]

One of my greatest fears has been passing out in the ladies room at work.  That would be extremely embarrassing!  My supervisor walked with me to the ladies room when this started, because that is one of the symptoms of Afib -- increased need to urinate.  I have this fear that I am going to pass out someplace and nobody's going to notice for awhile.

I did have a sheet about exercise they gave me last time I left the hospital after being electroconverted.  It said not to do any isometrics -- so I will make sure before I try this maneuver that the docs have okayed it.

I am still waiting to hear if I have a bed in the short stay section of the hospital to try the big dose of Rythmol and if that doesn't work, they're supposed to shock me.  I want this over with today.  It's been 48 hours and I know how hospitals work -- not too fast sometimes.

Thanks for the input -- it gives me something to ponder.

  

[tom_h]

I can't say anything like that has ever happened to me, and I've never been advise to use caution.  In fact, a physician instructed me on how to perform it when I was 6.  I use to press on both carotid arteries and was advised to press on only one as holding both could cause momentary unconsiousness.  But I found that I could do it without holding either one.  I normally see bright white specs in front of me for a few moments afterwards, but that's been the extent of the wierdness.  You think of a place, and I've probably performed Valsalva there; no doubt over a thousand times in my life. 5 months since I've last performed it.  Remember, breath, hold and squeeze up, not down!

[Mom2four85]

I just saw this post...I posted about it on sustained vt thread also.  I'm not sure if Tom's ever experienced this or had any problems w/the Valsalva Maneuver?

Please talk to your doctor if you haven't about doing this; sometimes it can be dangerous if certain circumstances happen - the increased pressure in your chest can reduce the amount of blood flow; it can cause clots to detach and some other things...I've had some weird things happen some can be embarrassing in the bathroom - I once fainted in the bathroom at work...co-workers finding me like that was horrid! lol

[DeltaDawn23]

Thanks -- keep me in your thoughts tomorrow.

[DeltaDawn23]

Thanks --  I'm tempted to try it before I go tomorrow.  Last time I spent 4 days in the hospital.  Your method sounds much better:)  I'll give you all a report tomorow.

[tom_h]

I forgot to add.

I always tried to picture my lungs and diaphragm squeezing my heart.  I found that correct position, a seated crunch is essential for success.  54 years and never once did I need emergency intervention.

[tom_h]

Valsalva is a way of converting an episode of SVT.  The action creates sudden internal pressure differences that the heart reacts to.  The way I converted mine was as follows:
1) Find a step or some other place to sit that places the knees close to the chest; sort of like a seated crunch.
2) Take a short breath, and bear down like you haven't had a good sit-down for a few days :-)
3) The major difference between this and bearing down for a BM is you have to keep the pressure high. You do this by tensing your stomach muscles, and not allowing the pressure to go low into your bowels.
4) Hold the pressure for 3-5 seconds, then quickly let off.  Repeat as necessary.

[Jerry_NJ]

Here's a list or related posts:

http://www.medhelp.org/search?query=valsalva&camp=top_nav_search