1. < Epilepsy & Seizures

VNS Battery replacement is it worth it?

Posted by lsittll @lsittll, Nov 9, 2020

My doctor at University Maryland is very insistent that my VNS battery be replaced because of it helping the seizures. I have had it for 9 years, 5 of which I saw her. I never noticed any difference. The battery is at a very low level I have added a new medication yet I have seen two months of no seizures.It is doing any good? Furthermore I told her that because the hospital does not accept my insurance I could not have it done there. She referred it to the neurosurgeon at University of Maryland. My Insurance is only accepted at one local hospital. I do not know if Cigna covers VNS battery replacement surgery. I am sure there is a copay for me. The last thing I will do is pay any additional monies/copay for this

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meilin982 | @meilin982 | Jul 15, 2023
In reply to @lsittll "@jakedduck1 I would also like to know her reasoning in why the VNS is helping me...." + (show)
@lsittll

@jakedduck1
I would also like to know her reasoning in why the VNS is helping me. Whatever, I cannot afford to replace the battery and pay for it on my own if Cigna does not cover the cost of such a procedure. if it does cover the cost of the procedure I always have a copay with an HMO. That will be too huge for me to afford.
My doctor is just going to have to face the fact that I must go without the VNS. Let her pay for her it if she wants me to have it so badly,
Take care.
Laurie

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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.

REPLY
lsittll | @lsittll | Jul 15, 2023
In reply to @meilin982 "how do you know when the battery is dying?" + (show)
@meilin982

how do you know when the battery is dying?

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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

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longtermcaregiver | @longtermcaregiver | Jul 23, 2023
In reply to @meilin982 "how do you know when the battery is dying?" + (show)
@meilin982

how do you know when the battery is dying?

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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.

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longtermcaregiver | @longtermcaregiver | Jul 23, 2023

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.

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bunnysea | @bunnysea | Aug 25, 2023
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@nicosmom WOW, that's an amazing success story. It's not often VNS control is so high and..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@nicosmom
WOW, that's an amazing success story. It's not often VNS control is so high and quick.
Were most of his seizures Generalized or Focal?
Take care,
Jake

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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.

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hereigoagai24 | @hereigoagai24 | Jan 23 2:48pm

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

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