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Cardiac arrythmias and connection to stomach/ vagus nerve

I am 58 years old and initially had problems with periods of irregular heartbeat  from about about 40 years ago  to now  - prescribed various beta blockers for c 35 years  -latterly atenolol- over the years which worked to a degree - never had time off work with it and if went out of rythym it returned of its own accord in a couple of days at the most so never hospitalised - about 6 years ago had an ablation to correct suspected SVT. this was pretty successful in reducing the number of incidents of problems but did not totally eliminate them. About 18 months ago I gave up full time work and embarked on a diet and exercise regime - lost over 3 stone - 14 stone to 11 and did regular exercise - dog walking and later jogging and in the last year a lot of tennis - general fitness miles better than ever - could not run 100 yards a few years ago and can now play tennis for 2 hours - also the arrythmias went away completely for over a year - in the last few months howevr they have returned -thohgh strangely enough not when i am exercising but for no apparent reason
Have had another ECG taken at the GP which confirmed in AF. This again corrected itself but has retruned periodically

All my life when I have had these epsiodes I have in my mind linked them to the vagus nerve or stomach related problems. I do not have any ulcers or stomach conditions but when I have an attack it always feels as if the nerves in my stomach are disturbed.Before it goes back into rythym you can hear what sounds like a "tracking" noise across the nerves of the stomach and it feels a little "queasy"

It is good to see on this site that others seem to have experienced the same and I understand there are some exercises involving ice and breathing and the life which may help to correct an attack?

I am going back to see my cardiologist and wonder if another - wider-ablation may help?

Has anyone else experienced this and found any treatments - drug related or otherwise which may help?

Apart from these episodes I feel fitter and healthier than I have for 30 years!!


This discussion is related to Vagus Nerve and Arrhythmia.
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Avatar universal
Another thing to add is that I think all of this is coming from taking antibiotics, particularly Levequin and also from root canal teeth.
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Avatar universal
I have the same thing.  I was diagnosed with afib & refused medications.  Through trial & error I found that it was coming from my stomach & then found it was the vagus nerve.  Here’s how I got rid of it....first thing is ReMag magnesium—it is hands down the best magnesium, it has been like a miracle for me.  Also, I found that if you take 1/4 tsp ginger powder (especially after dinner) it calms down the vagus nerve....and 1/4 tsp. Baking soda in water does the same thing.  What also helps is having coconut water & one banana everyday.  Also I found that if I eat dinner by 6:30 & don’t sit and eat at night I do way better.  I think carbs and sugar are triggers so watch those especially in the evening.  Also, don’t spend too much time on your iPad — I think WiFi is a trigger.  
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Avatar universal
I am Tachybrady with an Adapta Dual Chamber Pacer since 2009.  A little over one year ago, I found out that I have a classic case of MCAS or Mast Cell Activation Disorder.  I was amazed when I saw bradycardia listed as a symptom along with my others..
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257552 tn?1404602554
Well, the link to the site in my previous post has been removed, and I received this friendly email from Medhelp.

Tom, I'll be elsewhere. I've never seen a site as neurotic as this, I simply don't need the hassle.

"***@****

Your account is being warned for violating our Terms of Use (https://www.medhelp.org/termsofuse.htm) by posting a link to another message board.  As you were previously informed on 05/15/2014, MedHelp has a policy of not permitting links to other sites without prior consent.  In addition, MedHelp does not permit links to other message boards. We need you to refrain from including this link in your future posts.  If this continues, your account could be disabled or deactivated."
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257552 tn?1404602554
On the issue of Vagal (Vagus Nerve) related arrhythmias, I did find this site, I may have found it here on MedHelp, but I don't remember.

The site appears to be defunct, I don't believe there are any current topics, but some of the stuff is an interesting read. I wish that Doctors would be consider health from a broader aspect. Many aspects of my rhythm disturbances were profoundly related to digestion, but no doctor wants to listen. In addition, I have a seizure condition, controlled, and take Dilantin for it, and Dilantin is also used to treat arrhythmias (not helping me in that aspect). Seizures disorders are also known to cause arrhythmias. I wish I had followed through on my Neurologist's advice to see an Autonomic System specialist.

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257552 tn?1404602554
Another link of interest.

"Gastrointestinal influence on the electrophysiology of the heart: induction of cardiac arrhythmic episodes by myoelectrical uncoupling within the gut"

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jsmr/45/4/45_4_139/_article

Click on the Full Text PDF.

Helpful - 0
257552 tn?1404602554
Hi Peter,

I may have provided you with this link already, but I think it's very relevant to GI Tract involvement in arrhythmias.

http://bjcardio.co.uk/2009/07/cardiac-manifestations-and-sequelae-of-gastrointestinal-disorders/

For the non-British members, 1 stone = 14 pounds (Peter seemed to provide this, but lbs is not mentioned) so Peter lost 42 lbs, great job.

From the above article, it appears a little more complicated than a strictly Vagus nerve issue, some of the in hospital experimentation with medication revealed some are over activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, some over activation of the sympathetic, and incredibly, over activation of both, all assessed by the pharmacological interventions required. It's an interesting article.
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