Evaluations from Patients who take Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

**Purpose:** Epilepsy *(Started Dec 01, 2010)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jan 19, 2011	As needed	Slight	Mild	Always	A little

Date: Jan 19, 2011
Advice & Tips: Thus far it has been only 20 days that i have been on VNS the compliance factor is great and there is a slight cough when i use the magnet otherwise the impact of VNS is dramatic -- i have had only 1 seizure since the operation and it was controlled greatly with the magnet.
Cost: < $25 monthly

**Purpose:** Seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic) *(Started Jul 21, 2010)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jun 17, 2012	Daily	Major	Mild	Always	Not at all
Oct 06, 2010	Daily	Slight	Mild	Always	Not at all
Aug 25, 2010	Daily	Major	Moderate	Always	Not at all

Date: Jun 17, 2012
Advice & Tips: I can only say this the VNS has changed my life totqlly and I have a new outlook for life. I feel better and I want to wake up in the morning and look forward to the day. I must say if you have the opportunity to have this procedure done take it.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Oct 06, 2010
Advice & Tips: Patience, this treatment takes a lot of patience. There are many side effects and it takes a lot of time but in my eyes in the long run it will all be worth it. I just went through a day where I had 4 grand mal seizures in one day and ended up in the ICU for three days. My wife told my that the seizures were shorter and I came out of them faster so I look at it this way The VNS is starting to work. I just have to be patient and that is the best advice I can give to anyone thinking of this procedure. Be PATIENT it will work out in time.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Aug 25, 2010
Advice & Tips: I only had the surgery a month ago but I have already seen improvements. I have had seizures without losing consciousness or having convulsions. I am very horse but i am sure when they find the right level my voice will get back to normal. I mean after all the stimulator is going off every 5 minutes right now. i can't tell when it goes off anymore. I could for the first couple of days.

**Purpose:** Epilepsy *(Started May 29, 2009)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jun 15, 2010		None	Severe	Always	Very

Date: Jun 15, 2010
Advice & Tips: my experience included faulty equipment from Cyberonics (VNS manufacturer) that shocked me twice SEVERELY and would not stop....DO NOT RECIEVE THIS DEVICE. I did however receive authorization for my Michigan Medical Marijuana Permit from a very frightened Neurologist who didn't know what he was signing immediately after I had been shocked =]

**Purposes:** Epilepsy and Seizures (complex partial) *(Started Jan 11, 2012)*
Date	Dosage	Epilepsy Perceived effectiveness	Seizures (complex partial) Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Aug 10, 2012	Daily	Major	Major	Moderate	Always	A little

Date: Aug 10, 2012
Advice & Tips: It takes some getting use to. See a neurophyscologist to help you to accept and adjust. It is a physical and mental challange but once you have gotten over the first hurdle and can see the change it is making it does become easier. Unexpected benifit for me is that I feel more alert and less tired. It has been a positive treatment for me.
Cost: < $25 monthly

**Purpose:** Seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic) *(Started Jun 22, 2002)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Mar 11, 2010	Daily	Major	Severe	Always	Not at all

**Purpose:** Epilepsy *(Started May 10, 2009)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Mar 17, 2010		Major	Moderate	Always	Not at all

**Purpose:** Epilepsy *(Started Dec 01, 1999)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Dec 01, 1999	One time	Moderate	Mild	Always	Not at all

Date: Dec 01, 1999
Advice & Tips: gives me more pep when it was first put in or when the generator is replaced.

**Purpose:** Epilepsy *(Started )*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jan 05, 2009		Major	None	Always	Not at all
Aug 20, 2000		Major	None	Always	Not at all

**Purpose:** Seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic) *(Started Jul 17, 1997)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Nov 10, 2009	As needed	Major	Mild	Always	Not at all

**Purpose:** Seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic) *(Started Jul 21, 2009)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
May 21, 2010	One time	Moderate	Mild	Sometimes	A little

Date: May 21, 2010
Advice & Tips: Has a real pinch when you have to turn it on. I can feel it turn on sometimes and that feeling is a tight feeling in my neck. To get rid of that feeling I lift up my head and stretch it out. I've had 4 seizures with it and it has been adjusted. The electric pulse has been increased twice and the latest adjustment has been how often it turns on.