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Passing along question from Kenneth Clark to those of you who have had VNS implants: I am getting ready to have my second brain surgery and they are talking about putting the VNS in me. I was wondering if someone could tell me more about it and if it works. I kinda like the idea of the computer chip implant one (RNS) instead of having the VNS. Can anyone help? Thanks!
You Should Probably Go With What Your Doctor Is Advising You To Do, I'm Sure He Wouldn't Tell You Something That Would Be Counterproductive. He Knows Your Case Better Than Anyone Other Than YOU And I Assume You Trust Him Completely. If You Feel Your Provider Is NOT Giving You The Information That Is Best For You Then Maybe You Should Consider Finding A New Neurologist.
The vns is implemented in the left side of Your body above Your rib cage, not exactly above Your heart. The nerve is basically on the left side of Your neck under Your jaw bone. After the vns is implanted people are given magnets a rectangular one maybe 2 inches long and half an inch thick, the other is called the horseshoe magnet. That one is in the shape of a horseshoe that is thicker and is a more powerful magnet. Both fit into a pocket. Sliding the magnet where the vns is implanted turns it on and You feel a pinch in Your neck where the nerve is. That may stop a seizure, lower the strength of the feeling of a seizure etc.
I wouldn’t change having my VNS put in for anything! It’s helped me so much, both frequency of seizures, and especially recovery time. It used to take me hours to recover… now it’s minutes! @A MyEpilepsyTeam Member I’m a singer, and yeah, I don’t sing in public much anymore. If I do, I always figure out a way to switch to alto so people won’t notice as much! 😂😂
I had the VNS for a couple of years. It seemed to help for a little while but then stopped for me unfortunately. I don't regret having it done at all though, I am happy I gave it a shot. I have said many times, it is reversible, brain surgery is not! I've had the implant removed, I'm able to have any MRI on any part of my body. There is a tiny bit of wire around my vagus nerve but the implant I had was MRI safe, I just let the MRI tech and radiologists know beforehand, so when they see it on the scan they know what it is.
I think that The MotleyMan made a VERY good point----follow your doctors' advice. He/She knows what is best for you. We don't.
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