Any new treatments for vagus nerve injury? Link to gastroparesis?
I am diagnosed with Gastroparesis. I took a fall prior to the start of my pain. I hit directly on my tail bone on a carpeted step. Didn’t think I was hurt at all. But looking back now 3 years later and love living through many tests, diet, medication and seem to slowing be getting better, could this fall have started the Gastroparesis? Is there a chance of getting to eat real food again without painful results? Lost from 130 pounds to 102 today. From year 2019 tom2022? Any new treatments for Vegus nerve injury??
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Erin - Have you looked into Craniocervical Instability (CCI) or Craniocervical Syndrom (CCS)? Both of these conditions can cause impairment of the vagus nerve. In CCI patients it is due to lax/injured cervical ligaments in the upper cervical region (C0-C1-C2). In CCS patients similar symptoms can be caused by a number other reasons including lax/injured ligaments in the lower cervical region (C3-T1) along with other conditions such as loss of lordosis (that's me) or malrotation of C1 or C2 to name a few. A lot of good information on YouTube from Dr. Centeno and Dr. Hauser who are both providers of injection type therapies for this condition.
What is the injection therapy, and what is its purpose ?
When I have acid reflux, my esophagus becomes inflamed and I have terrible pain in my vagus nerve which makes me dizzy and weak and I feel like I am going to pass out from the pain. You talk about the CCI and CCS. Could those be causing my problem?
Oh my goodness, smatthews, I have never heard of these disorders, but that sounds like it could be exactly what's going on with me. I also have a reversed lordosis in my cervical spine, which I have known about for decades. I definitely have an injury at the C0-C1 level from my childhood neck accident, and I definitely have laxity along the rest of the cervical spine. Thank you so much for sharing this!
It happens that you sent me this message an hour before I had an appointment with a pain management specialist at Mayo. He was unfamiliar with the disorders and dubious about injections, but he said he would ask his colleagues about it. It's been about a week, and I have not heard back, so I will do my own research.
I did tell him how I get temporary relief when I lie on my back and my son and husband hold the back of my head with their hands, applying a tiny bit of pressure with their fingers along the occipital ridge where the spinal cord begins. Sometimes it is the only way to release the nerve cascade that happens when points further down on the vagus nerve get irritated, and I can't sleep. He was very curious about that, and glad that that provided some relief, but it's something I can't do for myself (I have tried multiple ways), and I feel bad imposing on my family members day after day, so I like to figure out another strategy.
Are these injections something you have tried? Can you tell us about your experiences? I am so grateful for your sharing this information, and very hopeful that it has worked for you. I'll be really happy if it works for me too!
@rozy288 have you tried sleeping with the head of your bed raised? I have done that the past few years and it has helped tremendously. Recently we got an adjustable bed and that is even better because I can raise the head of the bed higher on nights I experience worse GERD symptoms.
Bed risers are available on Amazon and any store with a bedding department. You need just one under each caster or leg of the head of your bed. I tried bricks, books, etc. before, but they just shifted around. The risers are more effective and steady.
I have 3 big pillows and a small memory foam pillow that I sleep with , so I’m sleeping very raised for years . I even have a huge wedge pillow but I found that less comfortable.
I’m practically sitting up .
My body produces so much gas , although I’ve tried everything they make and then some .
Thanks for suggestion .
I’m doing the best I can but honestly it’s tough .
@rozy288 have you tried Beano tablets? My husband had a huge problem with gas. He stopped eating all beans and started taking Beano with all meals and snacks. It took a few days but that has helped considerably. We also switched to lactose free milk which he doesn’t drink by the glass but just added to cereals, etc.
No milk at all of any kind 10 years .
I’ve tried Beano and everything Rhett make for gastric health on the market .
I don’t eat beans or many foods , esp gassy foods !
My body just produces so much gas when I eat or don’t eat .
It’s disturbing to be in constant distress. Tks for caring
What ingredients are in
beano , is it known under any other name, I am in Australia. Thank you.
@ani04 I am in Canada.
I checked Amazon Australia and unfortunately it’s not available there either, but perhaps you have some other online shopping source that may have it …? However, your pharmacist may be able to tell you if there is an equivalent, containing its main ingredient, alpha-galactosidase. Apparently the main ingredient should not be taken just as alpha-galactosidase alone, but again, your pharmacist would know better. I find pharmacists are a better source of medication information than doctors - naturally, as they deal specifically with pharmaceuticals - and a pharmacist is easier to talk to than a doctor, especially if you befriend one at your local pharmacy. 🙂
Here are two links - one to the Beano website that gives you all the information on it, including ingredients, and the other from Very Well Health website.
https://www.beanogas.com/anti-gas-pills/beano-tablets
https://www.verywellhealth.com/beano-4767029
@rozy288 you may find these links of interest too …?