Vagus nerve stimulation for reducing AF

I was copyediting a cluster headache paper talking about an electro-stimulation device used on the vagus nerve to reduce these headaches, and wondered (as the vagus nerve is involved) if anyone had looked into it for AF. Turns out a study has finished that found an 85% reduction in AF over six months. Looks very interesting! hrsonline.org/News/Press-Re...

[EngMac]

Yes, I read this as well on Medscape and have known about this for three years or so. Previously, I had posted another study that was done. They don't say the frequency that they used in this study. The earlier study used 20 Hz. I have been stimulating the vagus nerve for about 5 to 10 minutes one or two times a day for the last couple of weeks using my Scenar device and using 60 and 77 Hz but not on the ear but just below the ear, on each side of the neck, where the vagus nerve is located. This way you can stimulate the sympathetic and parasympathetic vagus nerves and also the nerve to the ear that may influence tinnitus. I noticed when I do it my heart rate increases by about 10 bpm. This stimulation may be doing something that affects my AF but it is probably too soon to tell.

Apparently, stimulating the vagus nerve in this way balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. Most of the population is stressed due to too much sympathetic nerve control. I have noticed I don't go off the deep end when problems arise since I have been doing this. This must be good. Minimizing swearing is likely a positive.

[Hidden in reply to EngMac]

It's really interesting that it's been around for a while, I hadn't realised. Clearly something that's being worked on though I expect it will take ages to filter out to regular medical practice. I'd not heard of a Scenario device, that's something else for me to google I will ask our doctor about it and see what they say - I have tinnitus too so something that knocked both on the head would be very welcome! I'm sure that hubby would like my swearing minimised too

[EngMac in reply to Hidden]

For Scenar, one place to look is denaspainreliefstore.com. Some device manufacturers charge a lot for devices and necessary training and training is necessary to obtain meaningful results. Google other sites as well though. With alternative medical devices, price may not be a true indicator of effectiveness. Do your homework.

[Hidden in reply to EngMac]

Will do! And thanks...

[BobD Volunteer]

My Bowen man has some success calming the vagus nerve and has helped dramatically with ectopics from time to time. Since I don't have AF these days I can't comment further.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob!

[jeanjeannie50]

It's exciting isn't it, I posted this report on the same thing last week:

dicardiology.com/content/no...

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean, sorry, I didn't spot it! It is very interesting indeed...

[Hidden]

Here below is a fascinating account of this topic. Who knew that the auricular branch of the vagus is known as the Alderman’s nerve for reasons described (page 5) by Frederick Treves, surgeon and friend to John Merrick, the “Elephant Man”, so mememorably played in the film by John Hurt.

eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/101...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Goodness, I had no idea... Thank you!

[WendyWu20 in reply to Hidden]

...and that we have the auricular branch because we are descended from fish who use it for balance and swimming!

[secondtry]

Thanks for introducing this topic for us vagally mediated folk. I have listened and learnt from my body. For many years, I have felt better splashing my face with very cold water and now do this twice a day properly, whilst imagining I am diving into a cold swimming pool. I think it is helping to stimulate the VN and it is no problem with no side effects. I also continue to eliminate all forms of stress. Apart from no AF, the only measure of success I have is that when going to bed I am tired but fresher/more relaxed, if that makes sense.

[Hidden in reply to secondtry]

Thanks Secondtry, I will try splashing my face with cold water. Stress is a huge factor in my AF and while I've tried to eliminate it, I keep finding that life introduces it back! It's like that gopher game, where you hit one on the head and another one pops up! Perhaps a very cold swimming pool would be the ideal answer

[seasider18 in reply to secondtry]

Someone I worked with over 30 years ago before I had ever heard of AF or ectopic beats ... I don't know which he had was told by his cardiologist that if he didn't have his pills with him to splash his face in cold water and drink ice cold water. .

[Hidden in reply to seasider18]

I am going to try that in future. I wish I'd thought of it at the beginning of the month when I went into AF while we were on a break somewhere with no phone, no wi-fi and a husband who simply cannot be woken!

[seasider18 in reply to Hidden]

I like your user name

I recently said to my wife that her stomach was getting bigger. She said " It aint half hard " I commented that it didn't seem to be. She then said " It ain't half hard eating this much " One consolation though I was weighed at a recent hospital appointment and disagreed with their reading. Double checked it elsewhere and found that our scales are 7lbs out !

[Hidden in reply to seasider18]

I am liking your wife already!

[seasider18 in reply to Hidden]

I remember a doctor on the radio telling people that you can lose a pound a week with moderate swimming. She swims 80 to 100 lengths three times a week but it does not work for her!

[Hidden in reply to seasider18]

Some of us were made with constitutions that just conserve every calorie we eat. On the bright side, if the world's food supply ended tomorrow, your wife and I would survive for absolute ages!

[seasider18 in reply to Hidden]

You'd be eaten by hungry others !

[secondtry in reply to seasider18]

Interesting this concept that drinking ice cold water (or cold shower/swimming pool) can stop AF as well as start it; I proved the former when I gulped down just half a bottle of cold ginger beer and got an episode. If or when I get AF again it will be second on my list to try to stop it; the first is lying down quietly and focussing on a slow heartbeat on my iPad as it has worked before for me.

[seasider18 in reply to secondtry]

Perhaps a cold dip in the sea. Said to do wonders for arthritis and other things. Inside Out South East did a programme on it earlier this year and a group In Brighton do it regularly.

[Hidden in reply to seasider18]

I'm going to try a cold shower and if that fails, a cold drink. Or maybe the other way round!

[seasider18 in reply to Hidden]

Look out for Goose Pimples

[secondtry in reply to seasider18]

Perfect but I am half an hour away from the beach and it needs to be quicker than that. We do have a shallow lake 5 mins away with a safe sand bottom, which I am not ruling out?!

[Hidden in reply to secondtry]

Haha, could be a runner! I'll have to settle for a small stream in a sheep field!

[seasider18]

My friend used to work off shore at times for our company . I don't know how he fared then.

[Dodie117]

I can’t remember where I saw it but there is some experiment on VN devices for people with severe depression who are resistant to drugs. It seemed to help but caused AF!! Still ongoing.

A close friend who has this condition does the cold showers etc. Helps but depression returns.

[Hidden in reply to Dodie117]

That's weird, but very interesting! One day they will discover how it all interrelates...

[Dodie117]

Have a look

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[Hidden in reply to Dodie117]

Thanks!

[jedimasterlincoln]

I've been told to try nerve stimulation when my fast AF has presented, by blowing into an empty syringe and trying to make my ears pop. It gave me respite for less than 10 seconds.

[Hidden in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

Oh interesting! That's kind of like a Valsalva manoeuvre, isn't it? I've never managed to get that to work...

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to Hidden]

No me neither but I've tried everything usually and nothing aside from cardioversion worked

[Hidden in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

Mine so far has dropped back in, usually after about eight hours. I have thought maybe chocolate would help, and I should keep an emergency package

[LaceyLady]

A link I’ve just got from my therapy colleagues. psychologytoday.com/gb/blog...