Vagus Nerve

[57nola]

Has anyone heard about the vagus nerve .? If so , I would like to hear from you . I first heard about it from a ER Doctor . I felt like I was going to pass out , so sweaty and shaking . He said sometimes the vagus nerve will do this . I've been researching about it . Doing breathing , basically controlling your anxiety . My GAD has caused a lot of digestive problems that I had not had years ago . Stress will kill you , us if we , I don't get a way to control it . How do others deal with anxiety .? I seem to worry over everything .

[Hidden]

Hi a friend of mine had this when she was under an intense period of stress. It is one of the nerves in the throat and I think it helps with the opening and closing of the trachea? She had 3/4 attacks then it went away thank goodness. x

[57nola in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[57nola in reply to Hidden]

I wish mine would . They have only said it's Gerd . Thank you for your post .

[Pbennett2613]

I am merely trying to give you some information. I don't know what else to do, and I don't want you to think you are alone in this situation. Long before I saw a psychiatrist (doctor) and was clinically properly diagnosed, I had a persistent knot in my throat and couldn't swallow at times. I had other physical symptoms, but I will confine my discussion to the throat. I was in my early 20's and thought I must have throat cancer. I went to an Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor. What a shock I had when he told me what was actually going on, as follows: 1) I did not have throat cancer and 2) I had an emotional issue. The doctor told me he had seen my symptoms in people who are in extreme grief that they haven't resolved. What!? I could not believe it. It shook my belief system and understanding to core. Truly. That is when I began my search to recover and saw my first counselor. SO I think this may be be common among anxiety sufferers. Just wanted you to know. Pam

[blackcat64013 in reply to Pbennett2613]

Yes - in the "olde days" the doctor's told us it was "all in your head" - we patients never liked the idea because everyone thought we were crazy or nuts.

Research has proven this to be correct and given it a fancy title of psychosomatic symptoms.

Psychosomatic means mind (psyche) and body (soma). A psychosomatic disorder is a disease which involves both mind and body.

[Pbennett2613 in reply to blackcat64013]

So true! This can be labeled accurately as psychosomatic. I just think so what. Understanding it using labels can be useful information, BUT it doesn't mean the symptoms are not reaI for us

We anxiety sufferers) need not apologize. is just a fact. Now let's try to fix it so that we can function in society and thrive. So there's my position. 😀

[57nola in reply to blackcat64013]

Thank you . Mind and body does work together .

[Pbennett2613 in reply to 57nola]

That is one of my underlying beliefs. But thanks for the reminder.

[57nola in reply to Pbennett2613]

Thank you for your reply .

[57nola in reply to Pbennett2613]

Thanks Pam

[Zoetic42]

Well still trying to figure out what how

[blackcat64013]

The vagus nerve (VN) is the biggest in the body can be thought of an information superhighway (VNS) that connects your body and your brain.

A physical representation of the mind-body connection - imagine the messages zip along its five lanes of traffic with four lanes delivering information from the body to the brain and one lane moving information from the brain to the body

The VN both senses your internal environment (via its sensory neurons) and affects it (via its motor neurons). A lot of the nerve’s function depends on which way the information is going, from body-to-brain or brain-to-body pathways.

It primary purpose is managing sympathetic/parasympathetic balance in the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve for conditions including epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis and depression is becoming an alternative to drugs.

A very good resource is at this link - has pictures and lots of other references

sequencewiz.org/2015/11/18/...

I hope this is clear and simple information - I get excited thinking about all the possibilities for future research in this area

[Pbennett2613 in reply to blackcat64013]

Thanks for sharing this information. I am an Educated Scientist and my career is in Science or at least it was. It is my nature. Thank you for sharing accurate scientific information. It really helps me understand. I also have a keen interest in brain research. So this is doubly helpful. I get really excited about research in this field too, as you do.

[57nola in reply to blackcat64013]

Thank you so much for the info . It is clear to understand . I am hoping that I can get a hold on my anxiety and depression . I hate being this way . Much luck to you .

[Xene]

Hi 57nola, the vagus nerve is one of two cranial nerves more commonly known as the X (10th) cranial nerve which extends from the brain stem down into the abdomen. It is a very complex nerve and is responsible for transmitting information to the brain about various parts of your body along the route it takes right down to your abdomen/intestines.

Xene

[57nola in reply to Xene]

What can I do to help digestive system , duke to anxiety . I watch my diet . They say it's from stress . Thanks for your post .

[Pbennett2613]

OMG

[Hidden]

My daughter was recently diagnosed with what I think you’re referring to. Vasovagal Syncope (with collapse for her). You’ve received some great information above! I will just add that breathing will not prevent it, it’s a “fight or flight” response so, it’s happening whether we like it or not lol. Hers is only during medical procedures and now that we know she has it, when she faces a “stressful” situation (like a dental cleaning LOL) Since the brain is sending the wrong signal and all the blood rushes to the feet causing you to pass out, the solution is to have her lying down, foot level above the heart. If she passes out, lift the feet above the heart to help the blood get back up to the brain....So far having procedures done with her feet elevated has stopped the fainting! She’s mortified by it but there is nothing she can do. If she feels it coming on she is supposed to lay flat, feet up. There’s no cure of course but, lots of info out there! It can be manageable once you nail down the triggers 😊 Good luck to you!

[57nola]

Thanks for your post .

[57nola]

May I ask why it was severed , and how is your health ? Thanks !

[Jonimo]

I have IBS that flares up when I am stressed. When first diagnosed about 35 years ago, it had gotten so bad I couldn't digest much of anything. Eating resulted in so much pain I avoided it. I resolved to eliminate as many stressors as possible. I left a very stressful job and went back to school. After getting into a new field of work, I finally left my abusive husband. I learned yoga. I got counseling. I walked on the earth (not pavement) and breathed deeply. I learned biofeedback. and I simplified my diet too. Dairy seemed to aggravate my digestion so I eliminated it, along with fried and greasy foods. Winter squash, sweet potatoes and rice are easy to digest furing flare-ups. Aloe juice is soothing. But managing stress is primary. Change is hard and scary, but following your inner guidance, that calm, kind inner voice, is the path toward healing. Wishing you the best. You are enough. You are worthy.

[57nola in reply to Jonimo]

I'm so happy you for one left an abusive husband and seen that you could put away some of these stressors . I am trying to see that if my daughter don't want to be around me , that is not my problem . I have cried , tried to do everything possible to understand , but can't . She says she is just to busy .. I feel now that I am worthy of her time , but if she can't take the time , then that's her problem . Best wishes to you . Thanks !

[Beevee]

Hi

For a full explanation about anxiety or any other anxiety/fear related disorders (and more importantly, how to recover) read the books published by Dr Claire Weekes. I bought Essential Help for your Nerves which helped me to recover.

If you follow her teachings, all the symptoms of anxiety will disappear. Basically, she teaches you to face your fears and not run away from them (fear is the root cause of all anxiety disorders), accept the symptoms you dislike so much (instead of fighting to rid yourself of them which just keeps the anxiety cycle going), floating past (rising above the symptoms and observing them instead of becoming embroiled which again keeps the cycle going e.g. adding more fear to those fearful thoughts) and letting time pass (anxiety is caused by sensitised nerves which is caused by stress or a series of stressors and need time to desensitise). It’s really about changing your attitude towards anxiety from one of fear to one of acceptance and allowing yourself to fall into any state and resist none of it. In other words, doing nothing to stop yourself feeling the symptoms/intrusive thoughts. Doing nothing works! I didn’t change my diet, go to yoga or do anything else to try and relax. I learnt that trying to do anything to stop the anxiety permanently just didn’t work so I gave up trying and started to recover.

It’s all in the book and the knowledge gained from those pages are the building blocks to recovery because it takes away the uncertainty, the despair and the not knowing what is happening to you or why.

[57nola in reply to Beevee]

Thank you

[Pbennett2613]

What a good explanation. I believe that I will ok, because I will be. Thanks