Vagus Nerve Effect on Heartbeat

@amberamberette Honestly, I always thought it was the Statin itself when I was on Simvastatin. I'm a Heart Transplant patient and the reason I even take a statin is because of a problem that can develop with a transplanted Heart. The veins and arteries have a tendency to narrow so they want to keep my cholesterol as low as possible. So the leg cramps only seem bad when I was on Simvastatin. But I was taking that before my transplant as I did have higher Triglycerides. When my levels got lower and because of the leg pain my doctor took me off of them for a while. In the meantime, my Heart rhythm problems got worse (not due to anything with statins, completely due to a bad heart ) so during the transplant process is when my Cardiologist wanted to put me back on them. I did tell them the problem I had with them and the suggest Atorvastatin. They started out with a low dose and as I didn't have any side affects kept raising the level. Im now on 80 MGs 1 daily. I take it at night and only twice I can remember and none recently I did my standing up to put weight on my leg. and it worked within seconds.

So I don't have any other side effects that I notice. I also exercise regularly trying to get out 5 days a week and walk at least 3 miles. Plus a moderate weight machines type circuit of machines to work most major muscles in my body. I live in Arizona so in the summer, like is ending now, I do about 30 min on a elliptical machine along with weights 3 days a week.

You mention the Vegas nerve which I thought only tied to the heart and stomach. Its one nerve that as a Heart transplant patient is cut away from the heart and nerves never grow back. So for me it caused my body to learn how to speed up and slow down without direct impulses from the brain. At first I had to gradually speed up and allow my heart to realize my muscles needed more oxygen. But now 7 years later I don't even notice anymore except if you take my pulse even 15 -20 min after exercise my heart rate has not slowed down yet and my resting heart rate is higher than most people.
So long story short I didn't know the vegus nerve was involved with the legs. I thought it only controlled the heart and digestive issues.

I also don't do any Physical Therapy.
It sound to me where my problem was with a certian statin but from hearing your symptoms it may be something else. Have you had any nerve testing of the leg? I know someone who had some sciatic nerve issues and they did this test where they discovered that the nerve in the leg was being blocked by a disk in the back. They called it a sciatic nerve pinch at the L5 in the back.

Hope you are able to determine the actual cause. That test I mentioned is done by a neurologist using something to check the continuity of the nerves using a low electrical isignal (t's not noticeable) except it can make you muscle twitch.
So depending on what is causing your problem may help with what will work for you. If it is a statin maybe try some different ones that your Doctor recomends.

danab,
Yes! I had Electromyegram (sp) on the L Leg. I couldn't get throught the entire test, more painful than the
Vegas nerve pain happening in the leg and for sure could have caused a heart attack, so she stopped the test.
However, she found enough information to suggest that the nerve in L4 and L5 in lower back was most
likely being pinched by a disc it was growing out of. to possibly mitigate that issue: SURGERY NOT FOR ME,
at least not at this stage of the game. So, I live with intermittant pain, relieved by physical therapy, rest and walking now SLOWLY!
I hope you continue to do well in your own medical situation.
Thank you for your support!

@amberamberette The therapist suggests stimulation of feet helps with the pain and
neuropathy stimulating the Vagus nerve...all so very complicated.

@amberamberette try acupuncture it’s wonderful

@moski
Thnx! One searches to find an experienced Acupuncturist Dr. (hopefully having practiced in
China tagging along since early childhood with a seasoned Grandfather as invaluable teacher).