VNS battery life
- Thread starter valeriedl
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arnie
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Hi! I assume from your question that you have a VNS. How is it working for you? (If I have already asked this question, sorry about that, but my memory sucks now.) I'm going to talk with a surgeon soon about getting a VNS myself, and I have no answer for you. I'm sure Cint will. Thanks! Carry on!
DayDreamer
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http://www.cyberonics.com/us/contact-us
I would give cyberonics, the company who manufactures the vns, a call and ask your question. I had my battery replaced once and was told that the second one had a longer life than the first due to newer electronics.
I would give cyberonics, the company who manufactures the vns, a call and ask your question. I had my battery replaced once and was told that the second one had a longer life than the first due to newer electronics.
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Don't worry if you've asked me before, I'm sure I've asked the same questions on here to the same people several times! My memory also sucks!
Yes I have a VNS. I've had it since 2007. It works great. I've had a major decrease in seizures since I've gotten it. As long as I can feel a seizure coming on (which I don't always) I'll use the magnet and it will usually stop the seizure. When I am having a seizure and someone uses the magnet on me it brings me out of the seizure pretty quick.
This is what my neuro told about getting a new VNS too. I believe he told me that it isn't just the battery that is replaced it's the whole VNS. He said that the newer one is smaller and lasts longer.
What was it like when you had yours replaced?
I see my neuro tomorrow. He's the one who takes care of it but not the one who did the actual surgery. If he doesn't have any answers I will call cyberonics and see what they say.
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I had my third VNS replaced in April of this year. They don't have to replace any wiring, just the unit is replaced. My first VNS last only 4 years. I had it done back in 1997. The second one lasted 10 years. This VNS is supposed to last 12-15 years. It is much smaller and the neurosurgeon was able to set it at the same setting immediately after surgery. The surgeon gave me the option of anesthesia or not. I choose to go under. The surgery was only 45 minutes. I had the surgery at 8 a.m. and was home by noon.
I had to call Cyberonics before my surgery to verify information. I've only had several auras since I've had this new VNS.
I had to call Cyberonics before my surgery to verify information. I've only had several auras since I've had this new VNS.
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I had my battery replaced 3 times and after got first one two weeks later 2nd one was approved. 1st one cut down on my sz's by 90%
My VNS will get infected if removed is what I was told.
The VNS only worked really well for me when I had the 1st one .After that it did very little for me if anything.
My VNS will get infected if removed is what I was told.
The VNS only worked really well for me when I had the 1st one .After that it did very little for me if anything.
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I found out today at my neuo apt that my battery is dead so I'm getting a new one.
The battery is the same in all of them when you get one but he said that the life depends on what the settings are and how often it is used.
With lower settings the battery will last longer because it's not going off or as strong when it does go off.
If the VNS is set on higher settings then the battery will drain faster because it is working more often.
However he said that they don't know in the office how much life is left in the battery until it is dead.
It works just like a regular battery that you would buy at the store. I asked him if I'd be able to stop at Wal-Mart and pick up some batteries to keep it working until I'd be having the surgery? He said I could try but he wasn't sure if that would work or not... Wonder how much those batteries cost?
The battery is the same in all of them when you get one but he said that the life depends on what the settings are and how often it is used.
With lower settings the battery will last longer because it's not going off or as strong when it does go off.
If the VNS is set on higher settings then the battery will drain faster because it is working more often.
However he said that they don't know in the office how much life is left in the battery until it is dead.
It works just like a regular battery that you would buy at the store. I asked him if I'd be able to stop at Wal-Mart and pick up some batteries to keep it working until I'd be having the surgery? He said I could try but he wasn't sure if that would work or not... Wonder how much those batteries cost?