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VNS Surgery
If you (or your loved one) have had a vagus nerve stimulator implanted, what happened after it?
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What You Need To Do
It's a good idea to find out as much as you can about epilepsy, the treatment, and what you can do to help control the seizures.
Ask your doctor questions. There is no stupid question. Epilepsy.com is a great place to find answers, too!
If the doctor recommends a seizure medicine, learn as much as you can about it, including when and how to take it. Then be sure to follow the doctor's directions. Seizure medicines must be taken each and every day as prescribed. If the right amount is not taken at the right time, the medicine may not be able to prevent seizures.
Good Advice
Before you visit your doctor
Before you go to the doctor, take some time to list your concerns. Write down any questions you may have in a notebook, even if you think they are silly or unimportant, and take it with you. Don’t be afraid to tell your doctor that there are some aspects of epilepsy that you don’t understand. Epilepsy can be complicated, especially when you are first diagnosed with the condition, so make sure you ask questions. And make sure you understand the answers. If the doctor is explaining something to you and using technical or medical terms you don’t understand, ask him or her to explain it again.
After you visit your doctor
After seeing your doctor, record the highlights of your visit into your notebook. Make notes about any questions you asked and the answers the doctor gave you. Pay special attention to any changes in your treatment or medication that were discussed. Do it as soon as possible, when the information is still fresh in your mind. Then later on, if you have a question about something, you can refer to your notes.
Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, M.D.
Last Reviewed:12/15/06
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