Last year, I was in a low space mentally. My chronic illness symptoms were at an all time high. I felt trapped in a cycle of pain, insomnia, fatigue and negative emotions with no way out. One night at 2am, feeling fed up, I came across vagus nerve stimulator devices through online research and decided to try one out. This post describes my experience using Nurosym for ME/CFS and fibromyalgia.
What Are Vagus Nerve Stimulators?
Vagus nerve stimulator devices are medical devices that send electrical impulses to the vagus nerve to help regulate and calm your nervous system. The aim is to help shift your nervous system from fight-or-flight into rest and digest, which then helps reduce and potentially relieve symptoms.
Upon discovering that these devices existed, I was excited. Perhaps this could help me feel better.
Why I Chose Nurosym
During my research, I came across a device called Nurosym. I’d read that people had experienced improvements in brain fog, fatigue, sleep and anxiety, amongst other symptoms. There was also some clinical research showing that the devices were effective.
Reading about this whilst feeling so burnt out and at the end of my tether, it felt like something I needed to try.
Nurosym is expensive. At the time when I bought one, they were over £600. They are now slightly cheaper at around £540, but this is still an awful lot of money to spend. I couldn’t afford to buy one straight away and saved up until I had enough money.
I was apprehensive to spend so much money on something for myself. I naturally feel guilty spending large amounts of money. Would I be wasting my money? I decided that even if it didn’t work, at least I had tried it.
My Experience Using Nurosym
Once the device arrived in the post, I put it on to charge, ready to start using it.
How Does Nurosym Work?
To use Nurosym, you apply a small amount of moisture to your tragus and attach the small clip to it. Once you turn on the device, you set the level that feels right for you. You should feel a pleasant light buzzing on your tragus.
Starting with short sessions, you are meant to slowly increase as you become more tolerant to the device.
The Benefits I Noticed
I initially experienced some pain using the clip. It wasn’t anything to do with the electronic pulses. My tragus just kept feeling sore from having the clip on it. I contacted the Nurosym support team and they were reassuring that this would settle after a few days, which it did.
After only a couple of days, I started noticing a big improvement in my sleep. I went from being awake for between 4-5 hours every night, to waking up multiple times, but being able to fall back to sleep after about 10 minutes each time.
For me this was a massive breakthrough. My insomnia had been so bad for so long and finally I had something that improved it.
The Turning Point For Me
I continued using my Nurosym device every day. After two weeks, I noticed that I was feeling sick and dizzy when using the device. My tolerance levels for it were reducing. I could only manage using it on a very low level.
For the next few weeks, I persevered with it, struggling even on a very low level, until I eventually decided to take a break. It just felt too much. My body couldn’t handle it.
Around the time that I stopped using Nurosym, I discovered somatic tracking. Its gentle, self-led approach to encourage nervous system safety resonated with me and I decided to commit myself to it long-term.
I was shifting away from relying on an electronic device, and towards approaches that felt more nurturing and internally led. Compared to the gentleness of somatic tracking, the device almost began to feel invasive to my nervous system.
Would I Recommend Nurosym?
I’ve not used my Nurosym device after deciding to take that break. It felt right to stop and it just wasn’t the right approach for me.
Everyone experiences things differently. I know that other people have found Nurosym helpful.
Even though I decided not to continue using it, I’m glad that I tried it because it enabled me to understand better what works and what doesn’t for my body. I know it was quite an expensive commitment, but I’ve come to see it as something I needed to try in order to begin my regulation journey.
I’ve seen some incredible changes in myself in the past few months from my new approach. From trying somatic tracking, Safe and Sound Protocol, and exploring intuitive, sensory-led art, amongst other things, I’ve learnt to understand how to regulate my emotions, reduce chronic pain and fatigue and feel better equipped to support my chronic illness and sensory needs.
I wouldn’t tell someone not to try Nurosym or another vagus nerve stimulator for chronic fatigue, but I would recommend for someone to decide what is right for their body.
For me personally, I started feeling drawn towards approaches that helped me actively build nervous system safety and self-awareness, rather than relying solely on an external device to try and calm symptoms.
If This Resonated, You Might Also Like
- Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP): My Early Experience and Nervous System Changes
- Late Autism Diagnosis in Women: Finding the Missing Piece
- Floating Sound Bath Experience: A Gentle Sensory Journey
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Much love,
Rachael xx
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