Vagus Nerve and TENS unit

I have a tens unit that was ordered for muscle spasms in my back. The doctor told me to never put it on my neck or near my skull. He said it could actually make me pass out. Of course, that’s one doctors opinion and you know how that goes.

I wouldn't put it on the neck but I know that there is a small TENS unit that is used on the earlobes to stimulate the Vagus Nerve.

I call myself a freak of nature because of so many strange or rare things go wrong in my body. Here’s one about my Vagus Nerve. For more than three years, I get hiccups 10, 15 sometimes 20 a day. I asked a number of my doctors why this it was happening. I would have gotten more answers from my bedroom wall had I asked it, so I started to research the answer. I said huh, when I found it. It seems that the Vagus nerve, carries the signal for us to breathe. Guess what nerve is right next to it, the nerve to make us hiccup. Now here’s the weird part, when the signal to breathe changes, like when you’re waking up, the change causes the hiccup nerve to activate and I’d start to hiccup. It seems the hiccup nerve can activate anytime your breathing slows lower than the the hiccup pulse and Bingo, I have hiccups day and night. Strange things can sure screw up your life huh?

Hello @kwm. It sounds like you may be wanting to do this on your own, however, I wanted to share what information is available from Mayo Clinic in order to best inform you, if interested.

- Vagus Nerve Stimulation: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vagus-nerve-stimulation/about/pac-20384565

Have you sought care from a medical professional to perform the nerve stimulation previously?

Hi all..I’m back though..in a different venue. Vagus Nerve!
My eldest daughter in deep depression had shock treatments on and off 39+ yrs!
Plus finally used the Vagus Nerve Stimulator… it apparently did not work for her… she committed suicide (not to say it did or did not work) pergaps nothing could have saved her. However, according to the Drs. At Barnes Jewish in St.Louis it probably saved her life once! Upon leaving her apartment, totally unclothed in 40 degree weather( after overdosing in psyche drugs the Drs kept pushing .. one after another…. She hid veins an a/c commercial unit… fortunately was found but me, her mither an sisters were called for her last night on earth… hypothermia plus other.. set in.. out her on dialysis. The Dr. Explaining the vagus nerve stimulator that runs from brain to heart and controls most organs ( he said) kept her heart beating. She revived! But, died by a non-conventional suicide recipe for death! ( promoted in a book… which she found successfully! Sorry.. from hiccups to suicide! But it caught my attention! BonnieB

@bonnieb81, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. This must be so painful for you as a mom. You might wish to connect with other members in the Loss & Grief group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/loss-grief/

See all the discussions. But I think you might particularly appreciate this one:
- Suicide: Finding it hard to lose someone by suicide https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/suicide-1/

Click the link and join the discussion with members who understand.

With the proper attachment. You can YouTube instructions and order it off amazon.

So very sorry to hear of your loss. Jehovah has mercy on people that suffer like that. May you have peace. I pray for you and all that suffer.

Thank you, I had several typos on my last comment re: Vagus Nerve Stimulator.. I reread and cannot figure my own typos. But, the bulk of the story was accurate in that the VNS possibly saved her life.. keeping her heart going even in hythemia but I doubt any help on decreasing her depression and 30+ yrs of suicidal attempts… crys for help! I heard but could not deliver any satisfactory help! Our road was hit from driving 22 hrs straight time and time again… when her best friend called us… that she had again overdosed! The trip from Dallas to Saint Louis ..long stretch! Again not knowing if she would be alive or dead! Now I just buried my 92 dearest of Hysbands, ( had 2) both far great men) both died!
One car accident leaving me with 3 teen daughters! My 92 yr old husband (story in “Dementia group/Mayo) now succumbed largely from purposeful over-medication by hospice! And under meds. Pulling him off of necessary drugs (Alzheimer’s) I was hus aggressive Caregiver 9 yrs.! Rehabbed and rehabbed! So I will now be joining study groups UTSW and other Alzheimer groups to Advocate til I die! I’m 84!!! Pharmaceutical disgressions and misappropriations, a crime!!!! Thank you. I will not stop!!!!

Thank you Colleen. I just lost my husband too.. ( I’m an old-timer on Mayo connect… he died of 4 dementia + complications..?but I never had grief counseling, support group sounds good.. both for my daughter suicide, my step/son ( paranoid dcioohrrnic.. and now my Stan! So… I’m plotting and planning.. my futur ( is there a future? I’m 84..a couple of still serious health conditions.. so.. like I really need assessment from Mayo ( I too have Colon irregularities ( sessille serrated polyp history..one in my appendix removed 7/14/21)… but I’m just going day to day ! You’ve been so helpful.. I hear so many stories.. young and old.. Mayo has been my ‘go to’ all these years ( online), very helpful!