Has anyone tried at-home vagus nerve stimulators for Long COVID?

Posted by emo @emo, Sep 29 9:59am

I did a quick search and didn’t find a post dedicated to this, just a few comments, so here goes: Has anyone tried at-home vagus nerve stimulation for Long COVID or another condition such as POTS, GI symptoms or headaches?

I fell down this rabbit hole because I have POTS and there are some studies suggesting it helped POTS but at-home devices weren’t readily available. Some have used TENS units but it’s hard to find the ear clips or guidance to do this. Some providers don’t recommend it. I asked my Long COVID NP about it and she was clueless, but their clinic mainly focuses on “established” treatments. This was months ago though and there’s since been more published.

There are also at-home devices like Tru-vaga that are expensive but more widely available. The same manufacture makes one that’s by prescription for headaches (GammaCore) which is also being used in clinical trials.

Some helpful information and context here:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/zapping-the-vagus-nerve-could-relieve-some-long-covid-symptoms/
And a recent pilot study from May 2024 here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2024.1393371/full

And review of existing data from 2020: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.00284/full

I know there are other ways to activate the vagus nerve that we know of, such as deep breathing, singing, etc. But something like Truvaga, which is consistent and takes two minutes a day and you know it’s at a frequency that’s been tested to activate the vagus nerve…it sounds very appealing.

Does anyone have experience with this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

dloos | @dloos | Sep 29 12:05pm

I use a pulsetto devise. It was suggested by my Integrative doctor. It wraps around the neck and sends vibrating pulses to the nerve. Does it help anything? I’m not sure. At first I thought it stimulated my bowel a bit. Since I suffer from constipation that’s a good thing for me. I’ve used it a few weeks with very little definitive improvement in any of my symptoms.
I think it falls into the “can’t hurt” category.

emo | @emo | Sep 29 12:23pm

In reply to @dloos "I use a pulsetto devise. It was suggested by my Integrative doctor. It wraps around the..." + (show)

Thanks for sharing. That was one of the devices I came across as well. Interesting you noticed it might have helped with bowel issues, as my GI symptoms are among my most limiting symptoms. Good to know, thanks again.

delweb98 | @delweb98 | Sep 30 9:14am

In reply to @emo "Thanks for sharing. That was one of the devices I came across as well. Interesting you..." + (show)

I use a CES ULTRA unit that comes with ear clips or pads. I find that it does provide relief from anxiety but has not done much for my clogged eustation tube pressure. Cost is around $180 + - depending where you order it.

Lucy | @welchllb | Sep 30 11:06am

I did a 6 weeks Vegas Nerve Therapy in a clinic about 2 years ago. It did not change my symptoms at all. Another PT told to me try massaging my vegas nerve (left side of the neck). I didn't experience any positive changes.
There you have it.

emo | @emo | Oct 2 12:39am

In reply to @delweb98 "I use a CES ULTRA unit that comes with ear clips or pads. I find that..." + (show)

Thanks for sharing. I had never heard of this before, and it has everything included. I’m glad it helped your anxiety, though it wasn’t as helpful for the other concerns.

johnschuerman | @johnschuerman | Oct 3 10:57am

Yes I used one for 9 months. Seemed to help with my migraines John

emo | @emo | Oct 3 11:02am

In reply to @johnschuerman "Yes I used one for 9 months. Seemed to help with my migraines John" + (show)

Thanks for sharing! Glad it helped your migraines. Do you mind sharing which one you used?

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