Vagus nerve stimulation'

[expatkerry]

I've posted here a few times to discuss gut health for those of you suffering from PA who also have gut issues. In my quest to find some relief from visceral hypersensitivity and massive intolerances (leading to malabsorption) I began acupuncture treatment this year. I am very lucky to have an anethesist doctor who provides a pain clinic in my local doctor's practice here in France. Acupuncture is, however, a long term treatment and for the moment the effects tend to be transitory, but during my last visit she suggested Vagus nerve stimulation. This is e TENS treatment with an auricular extension that stimulates the vagus nerve externally via the ear. The studies are very interesting for this treatment which works sending signals from the the brain stem via the vagus nerve and utilises both auto immune and anti inflammatory pathways (sorry for the layman's terms) ultimately this can restore permeability to the intestine and reduce inflammation. I have 6 months treatment ahead of me. I hope this post is useful!

[expatkerry]

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

Here's a link

[expatkerry in reply to expatkerry]

Sorry!! Wrong link!

[expatkerry]

mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/10/14...

This is the correct link!

[bookish]

Thanks for the post - I hope the TENS treatment helps you. I do vagus exercises daily - gargling enthusiastically, singing and humming, gag reflex, as well as tapping around and inside the ear, which is close to the vagus so easiest point to stimulate. It helps me!

[EiCa in reply to bookish]

I did not know stimulation around the ear helps. My vagus nerve is shot. I need to be consistent about manually stimulating it. I have gastroparesis and a vagal nerve stim is supposed to help. I wonder if I will be able to find this TENS-ear treatment.

[expatkerry in reply to EiCa]

I also see that there is a device that stimulates the vagus nerve in the neck region, it is like a collar, but I don't know whether this is a commercial product. The TENS I have is a certified medical device provided by the health system here

[EiCa in reply to expatkerry]

It is even available on Amazon (with ear attachments but I think I need to find some medical help somewhere. Messing with the ear/neck/skull is a little iffier but I am definitely going to work on this. Thank you.

[expatkerry in reply to EiCa]

You're welcome

[Orchard33]

Very useful. Please keep us posted on developments.

[WIZARD6787]

I sometimes put my face in cool water and blow bubbles out my mouth and nose. I don't use really cold water as that makes me put off doing it.

Good luck!

[MoKayD]

I don't know if this works but my acupuncturist told me that you can stimulate your vagus nerve with this exercise: Lay on your back with your hands clasped behind your head. Next, without moving your head, roll your eyes and look to the right. Hold your eyes in this position for a minute then, once again, without moving your head, look to the left with your eyes and hold it for a minute. I tried it once and it made me dizzy and a little queasy so I didn't do it anymore.

[bookish in reply to MoKayD]

Thanks for that, I just tried 15 seconds to start with and will build up slowly. Does feel a bit strange.

[aksundell in reply to MoKayD]

That works really well for me! There are variations call Salamander excercises

[Schpsych2414]

I would love to hear more. I’m going to research myself now. I will see what might be available in the 🇺🇸.

[expatkerry]

Thanks for your replies, I intend to post next year to provide an update.

[EllaNore]

This is a very interesting Post thank you for posting it. I did a search for it because I wasn't exactly sure what the vagus nerve was all about. I found this interesting video and she talks about the belly button and how it activates the vagus nerve in the abdominal area. I thought you might find this interesting. youtu.be/zUx5kLFyx-M?si=5B6...(Not working as expected?)