Ear stimulation: A new approach to AFib treatmentNikhil AhluwaliaNikhil Ahluwalia

[TillyBoss]

I read this from the Barts AF site. Has anybody hears of vagal nerve studies in AF?

[CDreamer]

That is exactly why I posted - as there have been many threads about it over the years and the question has been asked. This is the first article I have found with clear and factual information based on the trial studies with opinion from a top EP from Barts.

[Rainfern]

Thank you Tilly this does look interesting. What a brilliant website too - I’ve now subscribed. I have looked into purchasing a device for stimulation of vagus nerve. A TENs device is available commercially. Having read this article however I would now be very cautious as it’s clear that while statistically it could be useful, on an individual basis it’s a little risky and requires careful and medically informed assessment. The fact that stimulation of the vagus nerve can actually trigger AF in some individuals suggests we wait for the results of further research!

[TillyBoss in reply to Rainfern]

I agree... but it can be very frustrating waiting for research... if I win the lotto, maybe

[jeanjeannie50]

This interesting topic has been discussed several times on this forum over the years. One member purchased one, said he'd let us know how he got on with it but never did!

[TillyBoss in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I remember a few months ago somebody put up that if they stick their finger and wiggle it helped their at attack... I scoffed

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to TillyBoss]

I'd try anything if I thought it would stop my AF. I once read on this forum that putting your legs up a wall could stop an attack. I lay on my bed in my nightie, put legs up the wall and came over very dizzy. I laughed afterwards thinking what if I'd died and my family had found me with my legs up the wall! They'd have thought what has she been up to now? I've often tried out many weird and wonderful alternative therapies. I live very near a town that we call 'the resting place of the hippies'.

[TillyBoss in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Anythings worth a try... I'm giving EFT a try

[Rainfern in reply to jeanjeannie50]

It’s the things we stop doing that get me as much as the things we do! The rational brain tries hard but the irrational ideas creep back in. So I no longer use an electric toothbrush just in case … what’s that about! 😂 I let fear of AFib returning stop me from having the occasional glass of wine (even the good stuff you recommended without additives) and somewhere in my unconscious is the belief that if I took up floor exercises (yet alone a raised leg up the wall position) the Afib would return full force!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Rainfern]

I won't eat blueberries, as in the past I've twice had AF attacks after eating them. I use an electric toothbrush with no worries.

[Sixtychick in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I lay down on the floor and put my feet up on the wall, to stop my SVT, it nearly always worked, but you can’t do that in the middle of the High Street.🤣 It never worked for my AFib though. When I had my ablation in September they ablated for SVT and AFib, so hoping neither will return. Apparently ablation for SVT is very successful, but it was always the AFib that was the worst, so hoping I don’t get that back either.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Sixtychick]

Will keep my fingers crossed that all will be fine for you now.

[Sixtychick in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you. 🤞🤞🤞Trouble is, there’s no way of knowing really, unless it does comes back. I suppose it will always be at the back of my mind, although I’ll try hard not to think about it.!!!

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

He did report on it, jean - ages ago when I was thinking of buying one I found his response. Sadly I can't remember what he said but it wasn't 'I'm cured!'. I'm having good results with mine right now (as in, this week) so I'll be reporting back in a week or so if it continues.

[TillyBoss in reply to Hidden]

Best of luck... when you report back can you include settings

[Hidden in reply to TillyBoss]

What do you mean by settings?

[TillyBoss in reply to Hidden]

I might have answered the wrong post or got it confused... I was referring to the TENS settings if using the device for vagal stimuation

[Hidden in reply to TillyBoss]

Ah, okay. I don't have a TENS machine, I have a Neurosym device which is already set for this exact purpose, ie vagal nerve stimulation, so it doesn't have frequency settings, only intensity and timer.

[TillyBoss in reply to Hidden]

Ahhh... keep us posted

[mjames1]

The trial reference is REACT-AF, a US based trial. A few years ago, I had a video consultation with one of the lead trial doctors. Although the trial criteria seem pretty broad, he didn't feel that ear (vagal) stimulation would be helpful enough, given my age and afib progression. He suggested ablation, which I eventually had. That said, while it may not be for everyone, it does look promising for some and not just for afib.

Jim

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to mjames1]

That's odd Jim because I can remember when this machine first became available in the UK and possibly the whole of Europe, people from the US were saying it wasn't available to them.

Jim

[mjames1 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

It's still not available in the US out of trial. For better or worse, FDA (federal drug administration) approval can be very long and expensive process.

Jim