Arrhythmia caused by vagus nerve

[robb]

I have had short arrhythmias that seem to be triggered by activity in my stomach or abdomen. These arrhythmias have become more frequent and longer lasting in the last few years. Events that seem to trigger the arrhythmia can be eating spicy food, an extended period of GERD, leaning forward for extended periods while working at my desk (crunching the abdomen), pulling on a wrench while working on my car, and even stretching. I believe that my vagus nerve gets extremely sensitive from time to time and gets irritated by the stomach or abdominal muscles. When the nerve is on edge I can feel pulsations about 1" above my navel. This can, but does not always, lead to arrhythmia. Once the arrhythmia starts there is nothing that I can do to stop it until it runs its course. I have had a stess test, heart ultrasound, etc. and my doctor says that my heart is fine. He said that the arrhythmia is an atrial flutter. It isn't a fun experience when I am having this because it limits my physical activity. So the question is, what is the next step to take? Should I see a neurologist, a gastro-intestinal specialist? Would vitamin B help calm this nerve? Could this be something else like a hietal hernia?

[robb]

I may have found a solution to the sensitive vagus nerve issue. About a week ago I began taking a Sam's Club Mult-B Vitamin twice a day. Within a day I noticed that the jumpy feeling of the nerve over my stomach had almost completely dissapeared. I have since tried some things that had irritated it lately and so far so good! I have been under some stress at work for several months now and I think that it had taken a toll on my nerves. I will continue to try more strenuous activity that has set off the vagus nerve this weekend. Taking vitamins will be a cheap solution to the problem. By the way, where is the expert in this forum? I put my inital post here about 3 weeks ago and have had zero replies.

[Phil]

Ditto Rob on virtually all that you described. I am becoming convinced that some kind of vagus nerve aggravation is causing the unpredictable heart flutters that I have been experiencing over the last few years.

When symptoms occur, it's literally like there's a just-left-of-center "string" of inflammation, extending all the way from my left eyeball down to the left/central section of my lower abdomen. Most often occurs after eating, reclining, bowel evacuation, or stress (physical or psychological). Spicey food also a significant irritant.

Would be nice if an expert could comment here. I have had every non-invasive heart test there is (eg, treadmill, chest x-ray, EKG, coronary ultra-sound; even a CT scan & enzyme-checking). All results show "negative". My cardiologist doesn't seem "alarmed" by anything I tell him, but I am almost as tired of hearing that as I am of the symptoms themselves.