Testing
Structured write-ups of specific things I'm trying: Nurosym vagal nerve stimulation, diaphragmatic breathing, recumbent exercise, medications, and supplements, with HRV and RHR data where I have it. Each intervention gets an introductory post, then periodic updates.
Nurosym VNS
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Nurosym week 3: early HRV gains, but symptoms unchanged
Three weeks into taVNS, my HRV has risen 23% and hit a six-month high. My symptoms haven't shifted. This post covers the numbers, the confounders, and what I think they mean so far.
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Starting Nurosym: why I'm trying vagal nerve stimulation and what I'll be looking for
I've started using a Nurosym transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) device. This post explains what the device does, why I'm trying it, what the evidence says, and how I'll be tracking the results. Data posts will follow.
Other posts
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Supplements for chronic headache prevention: riboflavin, magnesium, CoQ10, and vitamin D
The evidence behind the four supplements most commonly recommended for headache prevention by specialist services, and the limits of extrapolating from migraine trials to new daily persistent headache.
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Diaphragmatic breathing regulation: the evidence, how to do it, and what to realistically expect
Slow, paced diaphragmatic breathing is widely recommended for autonomic dysfunction. This is my reading of the evidence, the protocol I use, and an honest account of what it has and hasn't done for my metrics.
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Recumbent exercise: staying active without crashing
The evidence for recumbent exercise in POTS and post-viral autonomic dysfunction, and the practical approach I use to stay active without triggering post-exertional malaise.
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How to increase salt intake: a practical guide
Practical guidance on reaching the 10-12g daily salt intake recommended for POTS and autonomic dysfunction, without relying on processed food.
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What I'm tracking and why
My data tracking approach for post-viral dysautonomia: what I measure, how I measure it, and the reasoning behind the choices.
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What happened to me: a timeline
A chronological account of how a post-viral syndrome developed, shifted, and became the dominant thing in my life. One person's experience.