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Epilepsy
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Posted 3/14/2008 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
has anyone had the VNS implant and what is your opinion on it?

Thanks!

Andrea

Posted 3/14/2008 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I have never had it but was reading about it. It is also used for treatment resistant depression and are doing a study on it for fibromyalgia.

hugs, Karen
Posted 3/16/2008 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
HI there and welcome
I have heard and read some things about this and I would think others have as well
I am sure they will post and perhaps there is someone who has also thought of doing this or done it already that can give you more input .........Take care and I so hope that someone can help you out better than I ...
LYN
Posted 3/17/2008 11:09 AM (GMT 0)

Hi There,

VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation) implants are not something we see very often on here. A lot of what I know comes from research that I have done for other users. As I understand, VNS implants are a fairly low risk option. They are tried & tested and since they go just under the skin, there is little surgery required. I would certainly choose VNS implants over cortical surgery (such as lobectomies). There is a thread somewhere here but I am having trouble finding it because if I remember correctly, it was a thread that started about something else and got on to VNS. Maybe you will have better luck than me

Darren

Posted 3/18/2008 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
I know three people with VNS implants. One person had the implant after having bad reactions to antiseizure medications and was able to cut her meds by more than half while maintaining good but not perfect control of her seizures. Another has an intractable seizure disorder and the VNS simply shortens the duration of the seizures. The third has not been helped by the VNS.
Interestingly the first person who did benefit also saw a dramatic improvement in mood and mental health.
(I work with an intellectually disabled population so results may not translate well to the population in general)
Posted 5/20/2008 8:56 AM (GMT 0)
hey there... I'm up for the VNS option too and I spoke with a representative from Cyberonics, the company that makes them. From what I hear its a good option especially if it gets you off some of the meds. The other good thing about it is that you can actually control the onset of a seizure to weaken it from happening. The lady I spoke with told me that you'll have a magnet that you hold over the device when you feel one coming. The worst thing I've heard from it is that it messes with your voice when it turns on and thats about every five minutes for I think 30sec. But other than that I hear good stuff from it. Right now I'm just trying to find people who actually have them so i can ask more questions.
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