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Vegas Nerve Problem?
by livin_it, Mar 19, 2008 09:26PM
Hi - I'm new here and looking for feedback. I have been speaking to my Dr about various "things" over the years. Although she is open, supportive, and actually listens, none of my concerns have been satisfactory resolved. I get bits and pieces, go online, learn more, have more questions, go back on line... and on and on. I'm starting to feel like a hypochondriac, but I know something is not right. So I thought I'd get some feedback on my latest discovery before I pursue it in her office.
Background - condition:
48 yr old female - 3 children.
1. I was diagnosed with Hep C nine years ago and just started pegylated interferon treatments in Dec. Based on risk factors, I figure that I've had the disease for about 20 years now. I have 3 more months to go on treatment.
2. I also have very narrow carotid arteries that are described as "twisty" or "torturous" to the extent that a CAT scan could not determine to what degree there may be any occlusion.
3. I have been treated for depression with no success and assessed and treated for ADD also with no success. Celexa, Effexor, Dexidrine, and now Zoloft.
Background - symptoms:
1. Fatigue, lack of focus/concentration, loss of motivation/interest, reclusiveness - 8 years or so.
2. Chronic frequent loose stools - again, 8 years or so. Sometimes completely normal for weeks, but always returns.
3. Developed numular eczema - 7 years ago as well as cold urticaria (break into hives when in cold air) - nose always runny and irritated eyes.
4. Occasional sudden release of bowels with little or no warning - becoming more frequent. First episode was in a movie theater during the Passion of the Christ - I thought I was going to Hell. lol. This episode was precipitated by a disconnected feeling, pins and needles over whole body, shortness of breath, sweating, and confusion, but there was absolutely no feeling that a bowel movement was imminent. I had just eaten. Total humiliation.
5. Frequently feel and hear pulse in neck and in ears - more so when neck extended with head back - but not necessarily so.
6. Frequently dizzy within minutes of standing (hear pulse in neck and in ears) - not right away... later.
7. Hemorrhagic uterine bleeding - 4 years. Discovered fibroids, treated with Mirena IUD.
8. Developing urinary incontinence. 2 - 3 years.
7. Oct. 2006, within 2 weeks of beginning Celexa, I experienced what was diagnosed (guessed) to be a full blown anxiety attack - never had anything like it before; I thought I was dying. I called 911, but the symptoms had passed by the time the paramedics arrived. My Dr later switched meds to Effexor - no more attacks. Looking back, it was actually similar to the movie theater episode, without the diarrhea.
Latest History:
Meds switched from Effexor to Zoloft. Within 3 days I had a gastric episode that sent me to emergency - severe water diarrhea which worsened throughout the night to the point where I had 3 of the previously described "panic attacks" in a half hour - each precipitated by a violent movement. The Emergency MD suggested that a vegas nerve stimulation may have caused the (let's call them) anxiety spells and was sure they were not med related.
Now on researching the vegas nerve, I have learned that it affects mood, digestion, heart rate, histamine, and immune responses - as does Hep C.
Question: Aside from (or maybe in conjunction with) the Hep C, given these symptoms, is it possible that I have a vegas nerve disorder? Further, is it possible that because of the deformity of my carotid arteries, that this nerve is being affected as it passes through the carotid sheath?
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
...just tryin' to get on with it.
Teach a child how to think, not what to think ...Sidney Sugarman
Background - condition:
48 yr old female - 3 children.
1. I was diagnosed with Hep C nine years ago and just started pegylated interferon treatments in Dec. Based on risk factors, I figure that I've had the disease for about 20 years now. I have 3 more months to go on treatment.
2. I also have very narrow carotid arteries that are described as "twisty" or "torturous" to the extent that a CAT scan could not determine to what degree there may be any occlusion.
3. I have been treated for depression with no success and assessed and treated for ADD also with no success. Celexa, Effexor, Dexidrine, and now Zoloft.
Background - symptoms:
1. Fatigue, lack of focus/concentration, loss of motivation/interest, reclusiveness - 8 years or so.
2. Chronic frequent loose stools - again, 8 years or so. Sometimes completely normal for weeks, but always returns.
3. Developed numular eczema - 7 years ago as well as cold urticaria (break into hives when in cold air) - nose always runny and irritated eyes.
4. Occasional sudden release of bowels with little or no warning - becoming more frequent. First episode was in a movie theater during the Passion of the Christ - I thought I was going to Hell. lol. This episode was precipitated by a disconnected feeling, pins and needles over whole body, shortness of breath, sweating, and confusion, but there was absolutely no feeling that a bowel movement was imminent. I had just eaten. Total humiliation.
5. Frequently feel and hear pulse in neck and in ears - more so when neck extended with head back - but not necessarily so.
6. Frequently dizzy within minutes of standing (hear pulse in neck and in ears) - not right away... later.
7. Hemorrhagic uterine bleeding - 4 years. Discovered fibroids, treated with Mirena IUD.
8. Developing urinary incontinence. 2 - 3 years.
7. Oct. 2006, within 2 weeks of beginning Celexa, I experienced what was diagnosed (guessed) to be a full blown anxiety attack - never had anything like it before; I thought I was dying. I called 911, but the symptoms had passed by the time the paramedics arrived. My Dr later switched meds to Effexor - no more attacks. Looking back, it was actually similar to the movie theater episode, without the diarrhea.
Latest History:
Meds switched from Effexor to Zoloft. Within 3 days I had a gastric episode that sent me to emergency - severe water diarrhea which worsened throughout the night to the point where I had 3 of the previously described "panic attacks" in a half hour - each precipitated by a violent movement. The Emergency MD suggested that a vegas nerve stimulation may have caused the (let's call them) anxiety spells and was sure they were not med related.
Now on researching the vegas nerve, I have learned that it affects mood, digestion, heart rate, histamine, and immune responses - as does Hep C.
Question: Aside from (or maybe in conjunction with) the Hep C, given these symptoms, is it possible that I have a vegas nerve disorder? Further, is it possible that because of the deformity of my carotid arteries, that this nerve is being affected as it passes through the carotid sheath?
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
...just tryin' to get on with it.
Teach a child how to think, not what to think ...Sidney Sugarman
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Had severe "growing" pains as a child (nightly leg pains). Still have intermittent periods of restless leg syndrome. Lately, out of nowhere, sudden, intense "sexually charged" feeling.