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Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) device such as Parasym or similar for arrhythmia

crazyvlad profile image
8 Replies

hi,I'm wondering whether anyone has had any experience with a device such as Parasym or similar (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)) in order to eliminate or reduce the burden of arrhythmia episodes over time?

Thanking you in advance,

crazy

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crazyvlad profile image
crazyvlad
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8 Replies
CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

TENS is for pain relief - how do you think that might help Af?

There was some experimentation with vagaries stimulation but as far as I know it went nowhere - BUT there is a lot you can do to help yourself with Lifestyle and improving vagaries tone.

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1

I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF in Jan 2010, these days I just can't remember my last AF event, at least 18 months and quite likely as long ago as 4 years. Certainly in the last 4 years osteoarthritis pain in both shoulders has increased considerably, and although the right shoulder has benefited from a cortisone injection, I am have problems getting my GP to recognise the need for it in the left shoulder. She seems to believe Physio is the cure all when I get just so much pain generated from a simple task like putting on a shirt or a jacket and tying up shoes laces - unless I get help from Mrs BenHall1.

So, to deal with pain I use a TENS device ( never heard of Parasym ) on the left shoulder. I also use CoCodomol 30/500 tablets for pain relief. I have to stress that I am AF free now but even using the TENS it has never triggered me into an AF event. I have never heard of a TENS device being used for controlling AF. To the best of my knowledge I can only confirm what CDreamer has said, TENS is for pain relief.

My AF was brought to heel by life long medication and a major review of my diet following consultations with a Nutritionist.

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk

I was told years ago by my cardiologist not to use.

crazyvlad profile image
crazyvlad in reply toopal11uk

Hi,

I'd like to know what do you mean by the "correct machine" to test arrhythmia treatment. Which machine, if i may ask? There are a number of them on the market.

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk in reply tocrazyvlad

This was my reply 'I was told years ago by my cardiologist not to use', I was talking about the TENS machine as was being discussed not for a machine to test for A/F!

OzRob profile image
OzRob

If you look through some of my posts you will see I tested this treatment. Bought the correct machine and the ear clips.

The theory is that the Vagal Nerve travels to the ears, the only external part of the body the nerve travels to.

I would suggest the stimulation could work in two ways:

1. When in AF you attach the electrodes and it would stimulate the Vagal nerve similar to a Valsalva maneuver to stop the episode.

2. Use it on a regular basis in order to stimulate the vagal nerve to stabilize the nerve so you would not go into AF.

From my studies it did not work, but I do believe that one day someone will now the exact frequency and pulse rate that may help vagal AF sufferers using it as described in the 2nd method.

This would only work of course if you had vagal AF, not adrenergic AF.

When I did my tests I tried the ear clips without success, then used a Valsalva maneuver and it would stop the AF episode immediately.

One of the more novel ways I found to stimulate the vagal nerve to stop an episode was to place my thumbs in both ears and move them up and down for 20 seconds.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toOzRob

One of the more novel ways I found to stimulate the vagal nerve to stop an episode was to place my thumbs in both ears and move them up and down for 20 seconds.

You will have been touching on certain acupunture points - I was talking to an acupuncturist about this and it has had some moderate success, as does EFT in stopping, lessening or shortening an episode - it is not a cure though and AF continues to be progressive. Chiro adjustments have also both caused and stopped episodes for me, as has massage and driving over potholes - shock to the system. I also saw a post from a NZ sheep farmer with AF who used to go out and touch the electric fence - worked for him but I wouldn’t recommend it!

Desanthony profile image
Desanthony

I have used it for pain relief and it worked for that - however did not cure the pain just made it bearable if used for a while before retiring so that the pain abated and I could manage to sleep a little at night. Never even thought of using it for AF.

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