Could it be a vagus nerve problem?

[Yahtzee]

Three years agoI had surgery to remove a sub-sternal goiter.  The surgery was difficult and my head and neck were in a hyperextended position for over 3 hours.  The surgeon  had trouble removing the goiter for several reasons..anatomy, scar tissue from a previous thyroid operation and the position of my vocal chord nerve in relationship to the goiter.  I had a raspy voice after surgery, but that improved in time.  Immediately after the surgery I felt heavy headed and dizzy.  I had unusual visual patterns and had trouble with my balance. Three weeks later I developed tremors and had extreme head and neck pain. Not like an ordinary headache, more like a pulling, vice-like sensation. I went through balance disorder physical therapy and have been prescribed many different medications, none of which helped.  Over time my symptoms have lessened, but everyday is still a battle. This year I had a nerve conduction study on my neck and shoulders which showed impressive motor unit activity and was I diagnosed with dystonia and am receiving botox injections in my neck and shoulders.  I continue to have chronic sensations of pressure on the sides of my head due to the dystonia.  Botox helps to an extent, but not completely.  My neurologist feels that I suffered some sort of trauma during the surgery, but does not understand why I have tremors throughout my body. I  have them in my head and shoulders, both arms, back, abdomen and legs.  It feels like there is a motor running constantly in my abdomen and chest.  Could my vagus nerve have been compromised during this operation and be causing these tremors?  I feel in my gut that all of this is connected, but the puzzle hasn't be completely solved.  Is there any test to determine the health of the vagus nerve?  Can you think of any reason why these tremors and spasms have persisted for over three year?  All MRI's of head and spine were normal.

[leeollie]

Hi

I also feel that the vagus nerve is linked to dystonia. I've had cervical dystonia for about 6 years after a bicycle accident. I've just made the connection after chatting to a friend who, like me, can't handle intense heat, seeing blood or hearing gory details about something. We see stars, go into a cold sweat and have to lie down or we'll vomit or faint. She had this investigated and the doctors found that it has something to do with the vagus nerve. I have had these 'symptoms' for a long time before I got dystonia (ie I stubbed my toe, nearly fainted and lost my eye sight for about 15 minutes).  This is possibly why I got cervical dystonia after the accident when others also break bones and go through trauma but don't get dystonia - because their vagus nerve works well. I also suffer from bad breathing especially at night - lack of oxygen. Apparently the vagus nerve has something to do with oxygen to the brain and is also linked to the stomach, which I always thought my dystonia was linked to.

[Rob001]

Hi, not sure if you will get this message but I suffer from Cervical Dystonia and believe the vargus nerve may be responsible for it, or at least somethin gin the abdominal reason. I belive this due to various sensation I feel and I have once been able to release the spasm in my neck by concentrating on the abdomen which feels like it is blocked, its hard t explain with words the sensaation I feel sometimes with it. Recent studies have idicated the stomach has a greater role with respect to neurtransmitters than previously thought and neurogastroenterology is a new medical discipline on the rise. Perhaps something will come of it in the future. I hope so.
All the best
Rob