GERD, Vagus Nerve, and Fainting

In the last few weeks I have had two near fainting spells that led to hours on the heart monitor at the ER.  Also have had major heartburn and breathlessness.  Use puffers only after a bad cold, but had to use them a lot due to the breathlessness to no avail.  Searched the internet looking for clues to what was wrong and ran into an answer for me and I hope it will help others... it's called the Da Costa Syndrome... the section that interested me was the crouched chest that led to breathlessly, heartburn and near fainting!  I crouch when eating, over the computer, etc... since yesterday, I am keeping my chest straight and open, and am no longer dizzy!  I haven't ran out of breath either since yesterday! I constantly have to remind myself to straighten up, but am so relieved!

MOM to Sparkles,

Hello and welcome................Oh how I admire you.  I may have to have my teeth wired shut and stay at least 100 miles from any straws.  Diet Coke is my biggest vice.  Chocolate comes in at # 2. 

I do not have acne but then I am much older then you are.  You may want to check with an OB/GYN physician re homones and acne.  I do feel for you as I can imagine how you must be upset with this problem.

Thinking of you,

Kitt

I go in for TIF Esophyx surgery on Friday 2-25.

This is my first post.
47 yr old male. Weight 230 lbs.
4 years of GERD: sore throat, limited diet, pain in tounge.
4 Scopes, PH study shows off the chart acid levels.

I have mixed emotions.
I hope I am heading off possible Garret's Cancer.

Any advice?

Looking for reassurance that I'm not gonna die before my appt Aug. 1st 2012.

I have had GERD for 5 or 6 years now and have only taken Omniprazole on and off for it. The last 2 days I have been having dizzy spells that rarely stop. Pain in my head and like fizzelling and a pop with some temporary relief of the pressure only to start up again in seconds. The nausea is horrible, I feel I need to vomit but don't. It's just icky, that is the only word I can think of for it.
Vertigo, pain like if I have a swollen throat and ear canals when I swallow. like a burning tingling up the back of my head/brain. Weakness, fatigue more than normal.
I have a long history of severe anxiety and depression and have worked hard to get it into semi control. These things are putting me back to step one. I'm in constant panic that I'm having a stroke.
I also have heart palpitations and have had them for 16 years. This is the first I have even thought or read about the vagus nerve.. I have had countless heart tests and had a stress test within the last couple months that was normal, they always are.. after the stress test the DR seemed annoyed with me, not the first time. I know what I feel and my heart is not happy, or this nerve.. Someone here actually said this lead to a heart attack... Please, more info on the vagus nerve damage symptoms, I think this pertains to me.. I am keeping a log to take with me to the docs, I need answers before I lose my mind... Thank you to all who listened.. Peace and love

i have had a surgery done     guerd    in 2008 never passed out before then! and another doctor pointed out that the doctor cut my vegal nerve and its because of that operation that this happens wish the doctor would of said that it may happen! and can t work because of it :(  And only to find out that my ant got the same operation and happened to her also 

Hi jeanguy.

Was the surgery a Nissen fundoplication? During this operation some of the branches of the vagus nerve and also some blood vessels have to be cut to free up a piece of the stomach to make the wrap that goes around the esophagus.

Unfortunately sometimes a needed piece of the nerve gets cut by mistake and this can cause a variety of complications.

Of course there are many other reasons for passing out. I presume your new doctor has checked you thoroughly. I hope you will stay in touch with the forum and let us know of any improvement and treatment that helps.

Hi Liza K,

Are you continuing to take the acid reducers you were given to protect your esophagus and stomach?  It's possible that your reflux has increased and the affect on your vagus nerve has occurred as well.  If you're getting increased symptoms, please see your doctor again, or at least restart the medications you were prescribed in the first place.

The vagus nerve causes problems when stimulated, and untreated or insufficiently treated reflux seems to add to the problem...at least that's my experience.  Try to keep your meal size small...eat less food and more meals.  In my case, a large meal was the culprit.  Actually, the only time I've ever had the problem was after eating a big meal at a restaurant.

If you get the problem, lie down and keep your head below your legs...if you can elevate your legs, you'll get feeling better sooner.  I have never heard or read anything that indicates it's a dangerous condition.  However, not treating reflux, can create serious problems in the esophagus.

Good luck!
Denise

OK, I came across this and it sounds really interesting and similar to some of my experiences, however I'm still not sure what my problem is. Around 5 years ago I moved to Germany from Scotland and in the first 3 months I was hospitalised with food poisoning. Was medicated, and given the all clear soon after and I continued my life as normal. Well what I thought was normal hasn't turned out that way. In the last 5 years I've had a number of symptoms all related to my stomach and left side of my body. To keep it short here's a list of the worst syptoms; frequent nausea like I'm going to die, sudden palpitations, last 2 years breathing problems playing soccer and upset stomach and sometimes dizziness, creepy crawly feelings on head and legs, fear, anxiety, panic attacks, gradual weight loss over 2.5 years (14 pounds). Now here's an interesting development, since 1 year I started taking St Johns Wort as I have developed mild depression from all the above and it has worked wonders on both my state of mind and well being. I have had numerous tests, head and body CT's (1 yr ago, coughing blood clots, diagnosed with bronchopnumonia) , 8 EKG's, allergy testing, colonoscopy (I've had lots of bleeding, all clear) and been poked and prodded numerous times. Diagnosis IBS, but I'm not convinced. I was tested and told I have a sorbit/sobitol malabsorbtion but I do not eat anything synthetic anymore and try to avoid pears, figs etc as it naturally occurs in these fruits.

So this brings me to recently my symptoms have crept back but not daily, just randomly e.g. I went to a chinese restaurant buffet 2 weeks which stated all food contains MSG. After 30 minutes of eating I got hit with sudden nausea and a feeling the that I was absent for a few seconds and then bang, a huge surge of palpitations then the urge to empty my bladder and colon (sorry for the details). I couldn't drive until I had gone to the toilet twice to get over the strong urge and nausea. When I got home I had to sleep for 4.5 hours. Next day all home cooking and I was fine but the day after I went for vegetarian sushi with ginger, soy and wasabi and again 30 minutes after eating the same thing happened.

I've also been having physiotherapy and cranio sacro therapy for 2 years as I have developed TMJ disorder in left jaw from clenching and also get left sided body aches mostly at bottom of ribs and pelvis and areas in between - it moves... my therapist has at time stimulated my vagus nerve but it gives me too much nausea on doing so. I'm wondering now if I have severe food intollerances that is causing all of this. Most of the serious life nasties have been ruled out and beginning to think there will never be an end to my problems. I worry a lot about my health now. Before coming to Germany I never had a common cold for around 6 years and was fit and active. Now I get sick every year, last year being serious with my lung/cough issue and keep getting viruses. Any similar experiences, tips, thoughts, recommendations is deeply and greatly appreciated!

Sorry for the long post, I have been keeping myself from posting online for a long time, but feel I have no where else to turn :(

Also I'm 35. Smoker (20 yrs) and used to be heavy drinker.

Post Edited (sunrizer) : 11/21/2013 4:28:59 AM (GMT-7)

Hi Alice, I have some questions in this regard. Sorry... Just hoping to find some answers. I am new here and hope posting it right.

So is there a way to prevent the heart attack in this situation? I wlso figured a connection as my husband's family seemed to be fatally ( lost many) affected by this, stomach and heart one leading to another.

Alcie said...
Denise
The vagus nerve connects the stomach and the heart. It certainly can send a signal to lower your blood pressure if stomach or esophagus are irritated. I get tachycardia if I eat one of my reflux foods (which include wine and beer and a whole page more). There are medical research articles on cardiogastric reflex (reflex with an E).

Passing out from a drop in blood pressure, often after standing up from lying down, is common in young women. I don't know the causes. I don't know your age or if you have low-normal blood pressure, which is a cause. I used to get faint and dizzy when I was young, had low-normal blood pressure then. My son called an ambulance for his former girlfriend for this once when she fainted after standing up fast.

You can have a tilt-table test for this condition if it happens often. If you have low blood pressure all the time they usually tell you to just eat more salt to get your blood pressure up.

Another question about my mom. She lives alone. My thinking is this isn't a good scenario. Passing out while eating isn't safe by any stretch of the imagination, but what should my 1st step be. She is mentally sharp and doesn't need assisted living. I can't imagine what would happen if she fell to the floor while eating and hit her head. How do you even help in this situation?