Anyone else have VNS?

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Anthropos

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I've been trying to be seizure free for nearly 13 years. These past couple I have obtained my bachelor's, gained and lost a job, lost my license, and finally agreed to having the Vagus Nerve Stimulator implanted.

On four medications, some of which are over the 'recommended' dose, and this newly implanted VNS...I still have weekly seizures.

Anyone else?!
 
I had mine put in about 3 weeks ago. It gets turned on next week. Make sure you do all the research you can on it. It can be good for some and bad for others. Make sure you look at all the side effects. You will have some. My voice is gone, insomnia, and headache. If you have had it installed, please keep me posted on your progress. -Jeff
 
Hi Anthropos, welcome to the forum. :hello:

Four meds and weekly seizures? Ouch. I hope the VNS works out for you. You might also have a look at the proactive prescription thread.
 
Hi Anthrops,

I've had the VNS now since 1997. I had it put in as a last resort after trying numerous meds and a failed lobectomy. It's not a cure-all, but it has helped stop a lot of my seizures and there are some side effects; shortness of breath, changes in voice, wheezing. Plus it may take some time before you find the correct setting.
Also check out this website:
http://us.cyberonics.com/en/vns-therapy/
 
hi

Hi ,
My name is jenn and I have had 2 vns put in . The 1st when it just came out . It was suppose to stay in for 5 years but at 4 years it was taken out . It did work somewhat at this time but I was also on about 2 or 3 meds and still had seizures .. I had another one put in , suppose to last 10 years but stopped working and I had it taken out after 4 or 5 years . It does make your voice sound funny at some times depending on what the dr. set it at . Now I take potiga , keppra, diamox, clorazapate , onfi , and going off tegretol xr . I also take adavan if I feel seizury or am having panic attics . I take paxil for depression .
Every person reacts differently with the vns , depending on where the acti-
vity is in yor brain . with all the meds i'm on I still have weekly seizures . good luck and if u have any more questions just ask . jenn
 
I was in the same boat. I was on 5 meds when I had my VNS put in. We had it turned up so high that it made my voice go hoarse whenever it activated, and I was STILL having grand mal seizures at least every 2 weeks. I was fed up after about a year and had my doctor turn it off. It is still in me, but I have no intention of turning it back on.
 
I have one and it's helped me out a good bit. I am still taking medicine with it and having seizures, but the frequency of them and how bad the seizures are is nothing like it was before I got it. My voice did also change slightly when I got it.
 
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