18 patient evaluations for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

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Jan 12, 2014 (Started Jul 21, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic))
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
Advice & Tips: I STRONGLY suggest to all of you who are a candidate for a VNS to go for it. You have nothing to lose. This has changed my life and my family's also. I even finally got my drivers license at the age of 42. Miracles can happen.
Cost: < $25 monthly
Side effects: strange cough

Jun 17, 2012 (Started Jul 21, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic))
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (strange cough)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
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
Side effects: strange cough

Oct 6, 2010 (Started Jul 21, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic))
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
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
Side effects: strange cough

Aug 25, 2010 (Started Jul 21, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic))
  • Side effects
    Moderate (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
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.
Side effects: strange cough

  • 2 helpful marks

Jan 14, 2010 (Started Jan 28, 2006)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Effectiveness
    Major (for seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic))
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Somewhat hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: I never thought that this would change my life, as much as it has, but I would, and have recommended this to many others.

  • 1 helpful mark

May 21, 2010 (Started Jul 21, 2009)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic))
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Sometimes
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: One time
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.

  • 1 helpful mark

Nov 12, 2008 (Started Jun 28, 2006)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for Shock the vegul nerve)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (difficulty sleeping on left side)
  • Adherence
    Sometimes
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: They give you a magnet to you you to where one yourrist or you can clip it to your belt.I clip it to my belt.Its probly better to where it on my rist but I dont because beaple ask me what time it is!!.If I where it on my belt when I need it I always end up thowong it!!!
Cost: < $25 monthly
Side effects: difficulty sleeping on left side

  • 1 helpful mark

Nov 22, 1996 (Started Nov 22, 1996)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (speech problems)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
Advice & Tips: Along with my AED's, now I have better control with my VNS and my medication. Using the VNS allows me to take control of my life, rather than allow epilepsy to control me.
Side effects: speech problems, trouble turning neck due to pain

  • 1 helpful mark

Nov 10, 2009 (Started Jul 17, 1997)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic))
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: this treatment stopped almost all my heavyl seizures!!!
Cost: $200+ monthly

  • 1 helpful mark

Jan 3, 2009 (Started Jan 03, 2009)

  • Effectiveness
    None (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (voice changes, chest pain)
  • Adherence
    Usually
  • Burden
    Somewhat hard to take
Dosage: One time
Advice & Tips: I want this device removed but so far none of my doctors will do so.

  • 1 helpful mark

Jun 15, 2010 (Started May 29, 2009)

  • Effectiveness
    None (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Severe (for Overall) (numbness in left side of face, suicidal, depression with anxiety, numbness in hands and arms in am, cramps in upper back)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Very hard to take
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 =]

  • 1 helpful mark

Aug 10, 2012 (Started Jan 11, 2012)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for seizures (complex partial))
  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Moderate (for Overall) (shortness of breath (dyspnea))
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: Daily
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

  • 1 helpful mark

Oct 20, 2011 (Started May 22, 2001)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Severe (for Overall) (swallowing difficulty (dysphagia))
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Very hard to take
Dosage: Weekly
Advice & Tips: Dr. turned it off for a year and that helped. Now I am having the symptoms again.
Cost: < $25 monthly
Side effects: swallowing difficulty (dysphagia)

Sep 15, 2000 (Started May 22, 2001)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Moderate (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Somewhat hard to take
Advice & Tips: Initially asthma symptoms increased, used O2. I lost my ability to sing, Seizures increased, changed Epileptologist Used all ranges on machine. Changed battery. I wanted it out but seizures started to get better Now w/ low levels my seizures are better under control. Asthma is better Throat is not swollen anymore
Side effects: swallowing difficulty (dysphagia)

  • 1 helpful mark
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Showing 10 of 18 patient evaluations for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)