Thoughts on Vagal Nerve Dystonia (VND) theory from experiences taking Progesterone.I have been taking Progesterone for over a year on and off when required. Throughout this time I have often failed to take the right amount of medication at the right time. The result of this is that I get particular "semi POIS" symptoms. If I take 80% of my normally regime and have to stop because I have run out of medication then POIS symptoms creep in slowly but steadily. These symptoms start at the top top of the neck where the neck joins the skull.
When this happens I have an uncontrollable urge to stretch my neck which leads to cracks. Another notable symptom is that when I move my neck around I can hear something moving between the vertebra my neck. Its loud enough for my partner to here if she sits next to me. It seems to me that this could likely be the origin of my POIS. When I recently looked up VND on the net I cam across the below article which has a good picture of the vagal nerve around the neck area.
http://anitaivetteferrer.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/dystonia-and-the-vagus-nerve/The root of the skull where I get all this hard stiff tissue appear is exactly where the vagal nerve starts. It has only been possible for me to identify this because of the "semi POIS" I experience through not taking enough progesterone. I checked the web to find out if Progesterone has been used for any types of Dystonia and no success. I found the below general guidance from the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. It seems odd to me that none of the treatments listed by the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation are steroids (like Testosterone or Progesterone for example).
http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/treatments/6.phpThis "semi POIS" I experience is unique because I can have no physical fatigue around my body and I can actually do physical tasks quite strongly. However, as there is tension around my neck and head cardio exercise still leaves me feeling a bit uncomfortable as I get palpitations around my head.
It seems like the Progesterone stops the "Dystonia" reaching the rest of my extremities. This good news, but as I think we know the cognitive effects of POIS are worst part. Bad memory and being unable to retain something someone has just told you is extremely distressing. I recently experienced strong "semi POIS" from having run out of medication. I actually got very depressed when the symptoms only hit me 5 days after orgasm. I was unable to do any study and I felt that everything was back to square one. Actually I don't think it is all that bad and I just need to maintain the right amount medication. Having more than one O per week totally messes up the medication regime so I avoid where possible.
I have had some side effects with progesterone being that I can become impatient with people so I have to keep an eye on my thoughts and try to be more caring to others.
In Dr Dexters POIS medical paper he mentioned that he tried the patient with progesterone cream which he was to rub on his lip. It did not work. As I understand it progesterone cream contains "biochemical" type of progesterone which is a natural source from a plant as opposed to a synthetic progesterone like norethisterone. Biochemical progesterone can't be ingested (eaten) because the body can't synthesise it to use it. So it is best to rub into the skin. Anyhow my thought is that perhaps it may be worth trying the progesterone cream at the back of the head where the vagal verve starts. I think most doctors would be willing to prescribe this with a given rational. I will see if I can get some.
Electronic Muscle Stimulent (EMS)I posted about this a while back but nobody responded. I am one of the POISer that does experience relief from using a EMS machine. I have not used it in a while much but given my recent "semi POIS" journey I think I would like to use this as close the base of skull as possible. It may be tricky because the pads don't stick of your hair, so I might try with a headband! I will let you know how I get along.
I am going to pass this message to Dr Barry K as I believe it is relevant to his hypothesis.
All the best - FloppyB
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