VNS Battery replacement is it worth it?

A lot of these places have financial aid. You might look into what they have to offer. I see this information in every Doctors office I visit.

Hello, melin982

The doctor takes a large device and places it over the electrode with the VNS in it. The device records the percentage of the life of the battery.

It uses modern-day technology.

@lsittll

as for if the battery is working or not: they can run a non invasive, fairly quick analysis and determine whether or not the VNS is transmitting. it's just an electrical impulse. easy to detect.

VNS - does it work for seizure control, or not. it is not a 100% cure-all. for some, it will not solve the seizure puzzle. in the case of my family member, it did not control seizures. but, what it did do was elevate his mood. several people, including myself, noticed this. and, i did see that the company that makes the device was marketing it as a mood/depression solution.

Hi, I just ran across this line about the VNS. I've had mine for over 13 years. I was having over 10 seizures a week. They were complex partial. I had tried over 5 different seizure meds and they barely worked. After my VNS implant, it took 2 years to ween off my meds and be seizure free. occasionally I'll have a nocturnal siezure. Very rare. I live because of my VNS.

I was having 7 to 10 seizure a month and had tried many different meds. Because of this they did the VNS thing. After 18 months my seizures decreased to maybe 1 month and they and have started increasing because my neuro didn't check it.
They replaced it and I'm waiting till Friday to have it turned on.
I still have to take lamictal though and since it ran down I have had 3 seizure type events. Just haven't been as bad, but I'm thinking I'm about to have one know. So good luck, let us know. God bless

I had the VNS implanted in November 2000. The battery lasted over 7 years. It was not highly successful. The settings were adjusted numerous times. Since it was not completely successful, I declined to have the battery replaced. Today, I have the need to clear my throat throughout the day due to the stimulation of the vagus nerve. It was also one of the decisions that made me decide to not have the battery replaced. It's been off since August of 2007. And have no intentions of having it turned back on.

@joseph1963
I refused the VNS. Is the cough your only side effect? Are you planning to have the generator and leads removed?
Have you considered the Neuro Pace RNS? How often do you have seizures?
Take care,
Jake

I've asked to have it removed. However, they're in no hurry to do it. I'll not consider the RNS simply because it won't get me seizure free. The clearing of the throat is what I have to do regularly during the day,
Presently taking Lamictal and Keepra. Vimpat was recently added, however, the lamictal or Keppra will be removed. About 2 months ago I started taking 50mg. Niacin, 100 mg. Gaba and Bio Perine. Niacin crosses the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB).
Bio Perine is derived from peppercorn. Bio Perine enhances the absorption of nutrition and drugs. Peppercorn is ground fine to make the kitchen table pepper used along with salt.
Niacin along with Gaba was developed in Russia in the 1960's Although it's banned in the U.S. I find it to calming. If I take more than 2 doses, I find it makes me sleepy. Therefore, I only take it in the evening.
6 weeks seizure free. When I usually have 3-6 seizures monthly.
There's plenty of information on the internet. The drug name is Picamilon. If you're interested in supplements, do your homework.