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Liver Transplant (Expert Forum)
Vagus Nerve Damage
Answered by
Thomas D Schiano, MD - Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Liver Transplantation, Hepatology
The Mount Sinai Medical Center
New York - NY
Questions posted in the Liver Transplant . Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Vagus Nerve Damage
by liverbelching, Aug 12, 2009 09:43PM
I have a thought I'd like to bring up here and get your opinions on. I know that the invasive nature of liver transplant leads to the possibility of unforeseen surgical effects. I myself have never had a transplant, but have had something that (like a transplant) might have damaged some of the viscera surrounding the liver - namely, a liver biopsy (stage 3 bridging fibrosis)
So, here are my symtpoms:
-Uncontrolled belching (nothing I do would cause aerophagia). Seems triggered by movement and whenever my stomach is full (standing up, sitting down, etc.,)
-Intermittent pain in my right side. It varies quite a bit in intensity, but never hits what I would consider "gallstone level". Usually after eating, but not always
-Dizziness (have passed out when standing up several times). I drink at least 70-100 ounces of liquid a day.
-"Normal" other liver symptoms (occasional itching, fatigue, bleeding into skin)
So, is it possible that my vagus nerve was damaged in the liver biopsy?
Vagus Nerve -> causes GB contraction -> mild/intense RUQ pain
Vagus Nerve -> causes diaphragm movement -> belching
Vagus Nerve -> parasymphathetic to autonomic nervous system -> low heart rate/pulse -> low blood pressure -> orthostatic hypotension
As a slight confirmation, when I had an ultrasound, my GB was contracted despite my not having eating for past 10 hours.
Also had a upper endoscopy which showed nothing
Or is it possible the scar tissue in my liver is bumping up against something and causing these symptoms?
So, here are my symtpoms:
-Uncontrolled belching (nothing I do would cause aerophagia). Seems triggered by movement and whenever my stomach is full (standing up, sitting down, etc.,)
-Intermittent pain in my right side. It varies quite a bit in intensity, but never hits what I would consider "gallstone level". Usually after eating, but not always
-Dizziness (have passed out when standing up several times). I drink at least 70-100 ounces of liquid a day.
-"Normal" other liver symptoms (occasional itching, fatigue, bleeding into skin)
So, is it possible that my vagus nerve was damaged in the liver biopsy?
Vagus Nerve -> causes GB contraction -> mild/intense RUQ pain
Vagus Nerve -> causes diaphragm movement -> belching
Vagus Nerve -> parasymphathetic to autonomic nervous system -> low heart rate/pulse -> low blood pressure -> orthostatic hypotension
As a slight confirmation, when I had an ultrasound, my GB was contracted despite my not having eating for past 10 hours.
Also had a upper endoscopy which showed nothing
Or is it possible the scar tissue in my liver is bumping up against something and causing these symptoms?
Doctor's Answer
by Thomas D Schiano, MD, Aug 13, 2009 05:38PM
, Aug 13, 2009 05:38PM
I CANNOT EXPLAIN YOUR SYMPTOMS BUT REALLY FEEL THAT THE BIOPSY NOR YOUR LIVER CONDITION ARE PLAYING A ROLE HERE.
