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Heart Palpitations Forum >> Symptoms and other concerns >> Questions about The Vagus Nerve/GI Tract, etc.
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Message started by ThomasLewis on Dec 1^st, 2011, 6:13pm

Title: Questions about The Vagus Nerve/GI Tract, etc.
Post by ThomasLewis on Dec 1^st, 2011, 6:13pm

Hello, I've been reading a few of the newer posts and thought I would ask a few more questions. First of all, are people who have anxiety disorder pretty much doomed to feel these vagus nerve induced palpitations for the rest of our lives?

I understand where you're coming from RLR, and what you say makes complete sense, but the irritating thing about it is that I don't feel I have the control of my own mind to NOT worry about palpitations no matter how much information I am given. It's like my mind is broken, so how is my mind supposed to fix itself if it's the root of the problem?

My panic attacks and palpitations both mysteriously disappeared for several years. It wasn't that I convinced myself that I was going to be okay, I just started to feel better one day and therefore wasn't scared anymore. I can't ever be too far away from a hospital anymore. I feel like I can't do anything anymore. I go to work, I go home, and absolutely have to be back before dark because driving at night is pretty much a guaranteed panic attack again.

As far as The Vagus Nerve stimulation of the heart, why do I have palpitations in the middle of the night, at rest, etc? My palpitations had gotten much worse, I started taking Metoprolol, and after about 2 weeks of being on them they went away completely for a week. They've slowly started to work their way back though. I always hate when the palpitation events are different than ever before, because that's what triggers the thoughts of a newly developed problem.

Now they are happening in the middle of the night a majority of the time. If I wake up at 1:30, I wake up at 1:30, there is no going back to bed, because if I try to lay down I can feel them and simply can't ignore it.

Is there a video somewhere that anyone knows of that has a diagram or something that shows exactly what is happening when The Vagus Nerve stimulates your heart, or how Gastro Intestinal problems stimulate your heart?

I try to ignore palpitations, but when I have sharp pains in my chest, or intense soreness in my shoulders, back and neck, it's nearly impossible not to become anxious. It's like the chicken and the egg, they cause each other, and my mind and life has become a catch 22.

I have lost SO MUCH in my life because of palpitations and panic attacks. It started about 7 years ago, took a vacation, and is about 9 months in to it's new reign of terror on my everyday life. I guess this was more of a vent, and less about questions, but any help in answering the questions I did ask would be appreciated.

I was also wondering (RLR) if you could possibly put something on youtube regarding the general concerns that we all go through day in and day out. It would be really good to be able to listen to your explanations ala Charles Linden. Myself, and I think most of the posters on here are absolutely desperate.

P.S. if there is anyone on here who would like someone to talk to in regards to palpitations, anxiety, feel free to PM me and I will gladly give you my personal phone number. I pray that I can one day get over this so I can devote my time to helping other people through some of these things that most people simply don't understand.

Thank you all, Tom....

Title: Re: Questions about The Vagus Nerve/GI Tract, etc.
Post by RLR on Dec 8^th, 2011, 7:30pm

The metoprolol response was merely a placebo effect and the timeframe mentioned is highly consistent with a response of this nature.

Please see my extended response to a recent posting by lmg83brown regarding the nature of circumstances which make persons affected by palpitations feel so compelled and imprisoned by the underlying cause which is actually responsible.

There is nothing physically wrong with you or your heart and you are in absolutely no danger whatsoever of any type of cardiac event or late effects as a consequence of the presence of the palpitation events.

Once you've read the response mentioned above, we can discuss the issue further with the caveat that my ability to reply may follow somewhat later due to my present schedule.

As for providing a response via Youtube, I'm constrained to point out that my participation on this forum and several others to which I am somewhat obligated take up a considerable amount of time and efforts, the extent of which I can only speculate would greatly increase by the deployment of a video discussion of the topic.

At 90 years of age, I can safely admit that nearly every minute of my time while awake is being directed toward assistance to others in one manner or another. Although it would be a good idea, I will have to stand firm where I am at the moment.

Best regards,

Rutheford Rane, MD (ret.)

Title: Re: Questions about The Vagus Nerve/GI Tract, etc.
Post by OftenAfraid on Dec 10^th, 2011, 7:57am

Hi, Thomas. What you wrote truly struck a chord with me. I have been living with anxiety/panic attacks for about 6 years now and it has taken complete control of my life. I worry constantly that I am going to have a heart attack. I am 32, overweight, smoke and I have high blood pressure/cholesterol and a family history of heart disease so I have convinced myself that I will have one any day.

When you said you can never be too far away from a hospital, I completely identified. I thought I was the only one who felt that way. Sometimes I wish I could live INSIDE a hospital or rich enough to have a doctor with me at all times.

My palpitations are a constant source of anxiety. They are much worse when I'm about to have a bowel movement (sorry if that is too much info) and I am sure the vagus nerves is the culprit, Like you, I try to tell myself that I am ok and will be ok, but I feel like my mind is broken, also.

It's been particularly bad the past few days. I couldn't sleep last night because everytime I drifted off to sleep, my heart would go haywire and I was sure I would have a heart attack in my sleep and was terrified.

I check my pulse a thousand times a day and I always feel this pressure and discomfort in my chest and I just worry all day; this is one of those days.

I'd give anything if it it would stop and I could live a normal life, but I fear this is what my life is going to be until a heart attack claims me.

I'd like to be friends, if that's Ok with you. I strongly identified with everything you said.

Thanks for listening!

Title: Re: Questions about The Vagus Nerve/GI Tract, etc.
Post by marti on Dec 11^th, 2011, 5:31am

I really understand the feeling of wanting to be close to the e/r. We live way out in the country... too far away from the hospitals. I had emergency surgery (very serious) 3 years ago and now I live in constant fear that something like that could happen again. So I am very aware of every little pain or warning my body gives me. Maybe it's not rational, but it happens. And then I was dx with Graves Disease which made my anxiety go even higher. AND... I have MS. If someone could just find a way to cure out panic attacks I think we'd all be better off. I'd also like to say that I am all in favor of blood work and tests. I always feel better if I can get the doctor to order tests... even if they aren't really warranted in his eyes. Guess I'm always on the lookout for problems. Anxiety.. yes.

Title: Re: Questions about The Vagus Nerve/GI Tract, etc.
Post by skipabeat on Dec 11^th, 2011, 12:23pm

Hey Tom I agree with you 100%. No matter what anybody tells me I still fear these miserable palpitations. Pm me if you like.

Title: Re: Questions about The Vagus Nerve/GI Tract, etc.
Post by RLR on Dec 13^th, 2011, 6:51pm

The fact that you fear the events regardless of any information you are exposed to is the very crux of the problem. Irrational beliefs simply cannot supplant facts. If they are being permitted to do so, then a more fundamental difficulty is at hand that requires attention.

Best regards and Good Health