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Real members of MyEpilepsyTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
August 16
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Answer Summary

Members shared personal journeys with epilepsy devices like the VNS, RNS, and DBS when discussing how to choose between treatment options.... Read more

Members shared personal journeys with epilepsy devices like the VNS, RNS, and DBS when discussing how to choose between treatment options. Several members noted that the VNS was less effective for focal seizures, while the RNS was highlighted as a better fit since it also records brain activity around the clock, giving doctors valuable seizure data. A recurring theme was perseverance through multiple surgeries and medications, with the community offering encouragement and reminding each other that every person's body responds differently to treatment.

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I have the DBS . The biggest reason was to help reduce my seizures. I have Refractory Epilepsy ( resistant to my meds ) . My seizure were never 100% controlled. I’ve had left temporal lobe brain surgery. That helped a a little .
Then I tried the VNS. That didn’t work for me. But when I got the DBS put in my seizures reduced a lot. I still have seizures but not as many as I use to

August 16 (edited)
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member
What made me make the decision to get the RNS put in my head was the fact that even if it didn’t control my seizures, it saves my brain activity 24/7 so every seizure I had the doctors got information out of it. I never needed anymore EEG’s.

August 16
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member no it doesn't. Our bodies are all different and work differently. Keep your head up. Thank you always for all your input as well.

August 25
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Thank you everyone. While I've had the VNS it has helped me because I've basically stopped having 15-20 seizures a month. Occasionally some being Tonic Clonic ones. I've just had to have many surgeries because of my dependence with it therefore as I age I'm thinking it's time for something else that can help.

August 24
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

@ Sean2 I actually read that it doesn’t work well with focal seizures. I googled it one day and it told me that for focal seizures is the best thing to go with is RNS over the VNS. Mine don’t occur often, but they still do and the last thing I wanna go through is another changeover with prescriptions when mine get bad again. or start occurring too often again.

August 18 (edited)

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