← Return to One step forward, two steps back. My vasovagal nerve

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@tsc

Hello @artist01 and @kilh I am so sorry to hear of your troubles. I had about 29 vasovagal attacks over a period of nine months before I was diagnosed with PMR and GCA, autoimmune disorders. My attacks were milder than yours. Usually, when I was eating lunch. I'd get a "squiggly" pain behind my navel, watery mouth, run to the bathroom and then have gagging attacks, most often dry heaves. I never fainted, but the attacks were draining. If the gagging lasted a long time, I'd be wiped out for the rest of the day. I'd lie flat on my back with my feet up to try and stop the attacks and do deep relaxation breathing. I found vagus nerve reset exercises on You Tube; also gargled, hummed, sang out loud and took cold showers (as tolerated) to keep the attacks at bay. I read books by Dr. Stephen Porges, "The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory - The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe" and Dr. Navaz Habib, "Activate Your Vagus Nerve." The attacks stopped about nine months ago and haven't returned. My autoimmune disorders are being managed with Prednisone. Interestingly, my brother told me he gets gagging attacks so maybe there is a genetic component. There must be doctors who specialize in disorders of the vagus nerve - neurologists, maybe?. Dr. Porges is a psychologist and Dr. Habib is in functional medicine. If I find anything of note, I will post it. My thoughts are with you both.

Jump to this post


Replies to "Hello @artist01 and @kilh I am so sorry to hear of your troubles. I had about..."

@tsc and @kilh Oh, it's so good to receive your message, Teri. I'm very happy you don't have this Vasovagul situation now. Good for you!
I also have GCA, as well as Crohns, OLP, etc., all autoimmune diseases. The serious issues of passing out began at about the same time GCA and Crohns struck 3 years ago. I was hospitalized bc of loss of vision in my right eye, and had 1000 units Prednisone by I.V. for 3 days, then tapered Prednisone for 2 years. A neurologist put me on weekly Actemra injections (stopped Prednisone) at the 2-year point, and I currently have Actemra injections every 2 weeks, bc the GCA is less severe now.
When I was on the huge doses of Prednisone I also developed Diabetes, yet another autoimmune disease.
I had insulin injections for 2 years, but I've conquered that one with diet and exercise!
(and no Prednisone).
I'm grateful for your reading and YouTube suggestions and will certainly check them out. I do an awful lot of research 🙃 on all this stuff I've got, but the doctors just tell me I'm a very complex case, and they just try to manage it. (!!!!!)
Thanks again, Teri.
Hugs and good wishes. Laurie