Anyone tried Vagus Nerve Stimulation?

[wantokporo]

jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/j...

[Madlegs1]

This has come up a few times.

I'm sure it can be searched?

Can't remember the outcome!😎

[ChrisColumbus]

There have been posts about VNS and RLS before, but some of them have ended up looking at other kinds of peripheral or peroneal nerve stimulation (PNS) as does the article that you quote (which only references two papers on VNS treatment for epilepsy)

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/se...

The paper that Jools links to in that chain specifically looks at VNS for RLS:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/378...

The following article - which is general and not related specifically to RLS - compares clinical (implanted) VNS treatment with external VNS devices:

brainfacts.org/Diseases-and...

It is however 5 years old, so there may be more effective external VNS devices now, and perhaps specifically aimed at RLS

[wantokporo]

I was wondering if it had been tried and found helpful.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to wantokporo]

VNS used to have to be applied via an implant in the neck area, as the vagus nerve runs from the brain to the colon. External devices have been and are being developed.

The transauricular vagus stimulation study that Jools shared (and that I linked) - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/378... - where electrical stimulation is applied to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve via a device attached to the ear (taVNS) - showed improvements in RLS symptoms, general quality of life & symptoms of depression/anxiety. This programme included treatment in a clinical setting, training on how to do it at home, and continued home treatment 👍🏻.

While I can see references to external taVNS devices - (e.g. soterixmedical.com/research... - I haven't tried to research whether such devices are readily available for home use in the US or anywhere else.

The peroneal stimulation study that you linked, and reports of similar home stimulation to the foot/leg that forum members shared in the previous vagus thread, also show positive results 👍🏻, but this is different to VNS. The peroneal nerve "branches from the sciatic nerve and provides sensation to the front and sides of the legs and to the top of the feet. This nerve also controls the muscles in the leg that lift the ankle and toes upward" (Johns Hopkins). Incidentally, the currently expensive and in-limited-supply US prescription-only Noctrix Nidra TOMAC device works by stimulating the peroneal nerves.

[Drls]

hello - there are a number of vagus nerve stimulators available now to buy - I have just ordered one - they are very pricey and I spent ages deliberating which one etc and whether to spend that much money…( I haven’t told my husband I’ve ordered it….the amount of money I’ve spent trying to help my rls is extortionate.)

I personally believe the calmer the nervous system the less the rls symptoms and these stimulators calm the nervous system. My restless legs are currently off the charts - im barely sleeping at all - I don’t know why it’s suddenly got worse - I still take pregabalin and buprenorphine tablets….

I’m having an iron infusion tomorrow and the vagus nerve stimulator will arrive early next week so I’m hoping this combination will help the symptoms. I will keep everyone informed.

( fyi I’ve ordered the Nurosym it’s £599)

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Drls]

Thanks, yes - a taVNS device, £599/€699:

nurosym.com/en-gb

Hope it works for you!

I also see that there's something called Pulsetto - which fits on the neck - in the US which is currently on a Memorial Day special offer:

pulsetto.tech/products/meet...

[Ticki]

yes, please let us know if it helps you, I’m also having some trouble with break thur RLS and I take Buprenorphine too.💜

[wantokporo]

I am going to be starting: integratedlistening.com/pro...

soon with a therapist and, assuming I understand what I have read, the bottom line is stimulating the vagus nerve. This therapy is free for me with Medicare, but it is being "prescribed" for my labile hypertension. Again, if I am understanding this, the theory claims it helps all kinds of things as it is working on the autonomic nervous system. To the degree that PLMD (my problem) is understood I have seen more than one explanation that it is a dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system. I wasn't going to go forward with this proposal at first as it seemed like it had not been researched much, but then changed my mind when I saw some of the studies. Of course it is a huge leap to think this might help me, but it also sounds like it isn't dangerous.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to wantokporo]

I hope that it goes really well: it will be good to get feedback on VNS both from you and from Drls !

[TheDoDahMan]

Yes, we hope to soon see you on your rooftop shouting, "Miracle, miracle!"