AFib and Mental Health disorders

I promised I'd put a post on here about dealing with calming the vagus nerve. I thought I'd also include a bit on mental health disorders too.

My comments are below ..............

calming the vagal nerve ........well I know this sounds trite but it all depends on what the issue is.

For me it was identifying food as the trigger for my AF. Others may find, sleeping on the left side, bending over performing a domestic chore, drinking an ice cold drink - be it a soft drink, an ice cold beer, then there is drinking a hot coffee or an ice chilled coffee, stress, anxiety, extreme sports/athletics, even gardening. There are probably a score of other triggers that many of you experience too.

So back in the day 10 years ago when I was first diagnosed with paroxysmal AF ( and also asymptomatic too) I joined the old AFA Forum which was on Yahoo in those days ( now defunct). I then had ( as you newbies do from time to time) a “virtual” meeting with BobD ( who you all know) and another guy who doesn’t materialise as often as Bob does - MarkS. These two triggered my imagination and thought processes and introduced me to the world of the Vagus Nerve.

I began to develop digestive issues .... ( forgive the detail) diahorrea first thing in the morning, massive, massive and painful bloating, very loud and antisocial intestinal gurgling and burping. Never had any of these features in my life before. Saw my GP who organised blood tests to examine IBS and Coeliac Disease - all clear.

I then began to link food and the VN. The bloating was the worst and would be the little ripper that would send me into AF. There were times when I could watch my gut inflate as if I was attached to a petrol station air line I then consulted a Nutritionist, long story short, went into a food diet plan -free from gluten, wheat and oats and any product that contained even traces of said stuff. The food exclusions widened over time (click my user name and scroll through past posts). End result ..... now only one AF event since April 2015 ( which occurred sleeping on my left side) and that was in mid February 2018.

Of all the symptoms I described earlier I now get trouble by only one - bloating ! But only rarely and nowhere near the level I had years ago. The other bowel/gut/ digestive issues are gone except perhaps occasional burping. My VN is calmed !

The only other practice I adopt is diaphragm breathing and this is best illustrated by viewing short videos on YouTube. I have tried mindfulness and meditation with less success but I’m sure that’s about me rather than the processes. I wish I could wave a magic wand and help you all achieve the same success as I have had, I can’t, all I can do is bang on about the VN and to this end I’d refer you to the following link .............

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

It is but one research project on the VN and if you can spare the time it is worth a read. Of course I am in no position to comment on its accuracy, and/or authenticity but for me it is an indicator that in many parts of the world researchers are starting to examine this information superhighway in a lot more detail. I like this paper because, once you have put aside the more technical medical jargon there seems to be a lot going on here.

So, the thing is this, what is emerging is that the VN, being part of a extraordinary body system needs to be considered along with the autonomic nervous system and its two divisions, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. (fight or flight) and it these two and what they control that may provide clues as to dealing with health issues. Hey ho .... the heart is the electro mechanical pump that keeps us alive ........... BUT, the MASTERMIND is the nervous system that I’ve just described.

Hope this helps, I know I haven’t given you the precise solutions you’ve been seeking BUT I hope what you read may give you the signpost for an appropriate direction of travel.

Do remember it has taken me some 9 to 10 years to get to the stage where I can say my AF is very, very controlled. I would never say CURED, no way !

John

[Hidden]

Hi John,

Thank you for this post. My husband is currently in a bout of AF and we have realised that when ever he goes into it he has a really bad burping episode that can last hours and has severe trapped wind. We have been toying with the idea it may be linked with the VN nerve and possibly diet so this is now pushing us forward to look at his diet and triggers. Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No worries, glad, or rather I hope it is of benefit.

John

[Hidden]

Thanks John interesting read, could you resend the link.

Andy

[wilsond]

Thank you very much for this x

[Geonome]

I'm quite sure my AF is triggered by the vagus nerve, but having difficulty identifying which foods cause the vagus dysfunction. I have read your posts previously, and always thought that finding a good nutritionist is a wonderful idea. But....how did you find a good nutritionist? Trial and error? Or is she/he also a holistic, alternative type of practitioner?

[Hidden in reply to Geonome]

Hi, well at the time I lived in Surrey and my first recommendation came from a friend who is a Osteopath who referred me to a friend of hers. In August 2012 I moved to Cornwall ( where I still am) and I consulted BANT, the professional website for and all about Nutritionists. This should provide a search box which will enable you to find a Nutritionist near where you live. This is what I did to find one local to my home.

Good luck,

John

[Geonome]

Thanks. I'm in Canada, will try their professional association here.