Posted 12/21/2019 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Ive had this surgery and wuspect I have vagus nerve damage. I had the surgery not because I was feeling much heartburn, but because i lost my voice for more than 6 months and my ENT said it was due to burned vocal cords due to reflux. It worked in that my voice returned to normal after about 6 months but ive developed other issues since that would indicate vagus nerve damage. They are managable but can be quite an annoyance. The first thing that happened was about 6 months after surgery and the first time I had eaten out afterwards and not been careful of what I ate. It was a hot humid day and I had drunk a lot of fluid while I was eating. One drink was mildly alcoholic, the rest water. I started to get very hot, with the sweat pouring off me and felt light headed. The next thing i knew I was waking up on the ground and an ambulance had been called. My blood pressure was so low i ended up in hospital. Because of my age it was suspected id had a heart attack but after 4 days of tests showed up nothing, it was put down to vasovagal syncope. It has happened again a number of times since but theres no rhyme or reason to it. It can happen several times in a few weeks and then not for many months. Last night's episode was the first time in 13 months. Sometimes it occurs with severe diahrea, nausea and once, vomiting, sometimes like last night, no gastric symptoms at all. I know the signs now and know to lay down flat on my back until it passes which can be embarrassing if we're out. The only consistent thing is it happens after eating, is not related to the amount ive eaten amount (because its happened after eating only two hard boiled eggs on one ocassion and half a sandwich on another), flushing, profuse sweating where my hair and clothes become saturated within minutes, and faintness. Ive only fainted one other time with it since and that was once when I was unable to get off the toilet because of severe gastric symptoms. The only other symptom I can put down to vagus nerve damage is the hoarseness reappearing now and then. Not all the time and only lasts a few hours, but it cant be reflux thats causing it.
I dont regret having the surgery as I work in education and training so my voice is a necessary requirement. In fact I forget Ive even had the surgery until this happens or I try and eat cold chicken or dry bread/potatoes and the food gets stuck. Even that isnt an issue as long as i can wash it down with water. Its really not a big hardship in return for the positives in having it one. You just have to learn to manage it.