Vagus nerve

[Chris1945]

Does anyone know which consultant deals with this area....gastroenterologist or cardiologist? Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

Probably neither. There are plenty of doctors who do not grasp the importance of the vagus nerve. Until quite recently many cardiologists did not accept the link with this nueral superhighway and heart arrhythmias . I find my Bowen man seems to understand it more than many doctors and has treatment to calm it when required.

[Chris1945 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, it's an uphill battle to make them understand that it's worth even just contemplating and investigating the possibility that there's a link. As Pete commented, I'd like to have a consultation with both at once if only to bang their heads together. Sigh....ever onwards. Btw how does the Bowen treatment work in connection with AF?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Chris1945]

I don't understand how it works but it does. Small pinches, prods and manipulations are aparently stimulating the body to heal itself. I guess rather like acupuncture without the pin pricks. Calms the vagus nerve so it is less sensitive. Has really helped my ectopics from time to time. I know that there are Bowen practitioners of varying ability and mine seems to be very good. He cured my sciatica anyway when I first met him.

[heartmatters1 in reply to Chris1945]

Surely if they could come together, for people who are convinced it is down to the VN triggering their AF, it could save millions in unneeded ablations & medications.

I have decided against an ablation at the present time, as I am sure I can control it (for now) by diet & lifestyle.

Ally

[Hidden]

Hi Chris,

I am unsure TBH, I guess it would largely depend on what the VN is affecting the most .... if the majority of symptoms were in some way to do with the digestive system, i.e. bloating which might induce an AF event, I might head to a gastroenterologist - BUT - even before I did that I would consult an approved Nutritionist and get your diet reviewed. A last resort for me would be the gastroenterologist or cardiologist you mention.

If you are in UK you could look at the BANT website - its all self explanatory from that point and there is a section that enables you to search for a Nutritionist near where you live.

John

[Chris1945 in reply to Hidden]

Good idea re diet and nutrition checks, I'm veggie and on warfarin which is making things a little more tricky diet-wise but I do think a BANT nutritionist is the worth a try. Thanks.

[pottypete1]

Bob is right.

I have issues that I believe are linked with my heart, vagal and gastric condition.

My GP conmunicated with my EP recently who in turn spoke to my Gastroenterologist to try and resolve my issues. A plan was devised but I think that as my condition falls between both stools they are both at a loss as to which solution is best to adopt.

I am seeing my EP this Wednesday and my Gastroenterologist next week. Shame I can’t get them both in the same room!

I will post a message if I learn anything new but don’t hold your breath.

Pete

[Chris1945 in reply to pottypete1]

Please see my response to BobD....good luck Pete, hope to see a positive post from you soon!

[Bmwpaul1971]

Don't get me started on this topic. It seems the vagal nerve is in no man's land when it comes to understanding and treatment.

[Chris1945]

Welcome to the club!

[beardy_chris]

Umm - maybe a neurologist? (Sorry - I know this doesn't help much)

[CDreamer]

A a specialist autonomic cardiologist but there are very long waiting lists and only 2 hospitals I know of in UK. Look on the STARS webpage for list & contact numbers.

[CDreamer]

You may find this of interest

academic.oup.com/europace/a...

[planetiowa]

Someone once mentioned that in an ideal world, you would have three specialists all working together when dealing with the type of AFIB that is effected by the vagal nerve - an electrophysiologist cardiologist, a neurologist, and a gastroenterologist. Unfortunately, you'll probably never find all three working together.

I'm pretty sure my AFIB was strongly effected by the vagal nerve due to gastric issues. While the vagal nerve may trigger AFIB, that person's heart for whatever has something that causes it to go into AFIB. Other people with the same vagal stimulation may never go into AFIB. So while fixing the triggers may help to reduce AFIB, it probably won't totally eliminate it.