Vagus Nerve Stimulation (t-VNS) using TENS (non-invasive)

[Jonathan Edwards]

Might it work by letting the brain concentrate on something else?

That sort of thing is the simplest answer I think. But ice has a very specific effect on pain and scratching has a very specific effect on itches. To be any use one needs the right sort of 'distraction'.

 

[lansbergen]

That sort of thing is the simplest answer I think. But ice has a very specific effect on pain and scratching has a very specific effect on itches. To be any use one needs the right sort of 'distraction'.

Ice does not help for my ME pain and now I am so much better a hot bath helps. When I was worse a hot bath made it worse.

 

[alkt]

their are lots of cheaper ways of distracting yourself suck on an ice cube the resulting brain freeze will definately distract you momentarily. i actually tried tens for the pain in my neck from arthritis unfortunately you have to find the exact right spot for the pads. and then try to find the right frequency. in my case just made thing worse. and if you suffer any kind of sensory overload electrical stimulus may not do you any favours. of course you could find nicer distractions the one above is a poor choice.

 

[LifeIsSweet]

Did you decide to try out the TENS unit? I'm seriously thinking of doing so myself. Severe CFS. What have I got to lose?

 

[SpecialK82]

It works theoretically by resetting the ANS.
I asked my god ME/CFS doc about it after Cort's article on it and she suggested that an Alpha-Stim would do a better job then a TENS unit. I asked her if I could buy one of these and try it, was there any danger? She said go ahead and play with it. The only problem with an Alpha-Stim is the cost. Haven't bought one yet.

 

[olliec]

A recent possibly related blog that I link to with no comment:
http://selfhacked.com/2015/07/30/28...agus-nerve-and-all-you-need-to-know-about-it/

The same blogger (I can't work out if he's really smart or deluded and ignorant) is very keen on these EMF devices attached to the body:
http://selfhacked.com/2015/03/13/ic...-fatigue-and-inflammation-cure-upgraded-pemf/

Probably bollocks, but there do seem to be a number of people who are convinced these devices have been beneficial to their health.

 

[undcvr]

gammacore - fda approved vagus nerve stimulator it's applied along the neck

 

[annabee]

I know this was a while ago, but I'm keen to know if you had any success using the TENS and ear adaptors...

I have been reading on Vagus Nerve Stimulation using TENS. It's a non-invasive treatment. I have been searching on this website & also read the following articles -

http://www.cortjohnson.org/blog/2014/08/29/system-reset-reduce-fight-flight-response/

http://www.cortjohnson.org/blog/201...ng-fibromyalgia-with-vagus-nerve-stimulation/

I do have a TENS machine. This is the one I have -

http://www.amazon.com/Tens-Handheld...c&ie=UTF8&qid=1439587430&sr=1-4&keywords=tens

I learnt you can get the crocodile electro-stim ear clips from here -

http://www.tenspros.com/Electro-Stim-Ear-Clips-for-Depression-Anxiety-Pain-and-More_p_196.html

This is one study but it's for CAD patients -

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=coronary artery vagus nerve stimulation ear

Abstract from another study -

http://www.brainstimjrnl.com/article/S1935-861X(14)00260-5/abstract

This has a picture with a clip on the ear -

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140819200211.htm

Another picture -

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/12/255/figure/F2

Has any one done it yet? Did you find it useful? Pros & Cons? Any tips on what's the best way to do it.

 

[JasonUT]

I'd love to hear from more people. Anyone tried non-invasive tNVS?

Another interesting study.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29361441

https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-015-0543-3

 

[JasonUT]

Another good article for discussion:
Non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Healthy Humans Reduces Sympathetic Nerve Activity
Link

 

[JasonUT]

I do like using the TENS machine. It is subtle, but I do find it relaxing.

I have tried four methods:

1. Tragus connection and ear lobe connection with 200 us at 20Hz in normal (i.e. continuous mode)
2. Tragus to Concha Cymba with 200 us at 20Hz in normal (i.e. continuous mode)
3. Concha Cymba to Ear Lobe with 200 us at 20Hz in in normal (i.e. continuous mode)
4. Pads on either side of my spine on the back of my neck and two pads on my shoulder blades. I alternate between 200us at 20Hz normal and 200 us 5Hz burst mode.

1 and 4 seem to be the best for me. 2 provides some sense of calm. I don't like 3.

I feel like 1 calms my brain and nervous system very slightly. 4 is like a massage. I turn the power up to where it is perceived and comfortable, but never painful or uncomfortable.

I usually us it for 30 minutes at a time. I have used it up to 4 hours in a single day.

These ear clips worked best for my ears:
https://www.tenspros.com/black-ear-clip-electrodes-EAE01.html

 

[Tella]

How r u all these days?