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vns surgery

Tue, 03/09/2010 - 18:58
We are considering the vns for my daughter who is 36.  She has had seizures since she was 1.  Any ideas on ways to pay for the vns surgery if medicaid denies it.  This is our last hope.  Side effects of meds are almost unbearable.  Thanks,   Brenda

Comments

Re: vns surgery

Submitted by dennis100 on Thu, 2010-09-09 - 18:40

Before you decide on surgery I'd suggest you read the Sept issue of Reader's Digest which goes on the stands next tuesday. There's an article in it that deals with dangerous medical devices and the VNS is the main topic of the story.

http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/medical-devices-that-can-kill/article184371.html

Before you decide on surgery I'd suggest you read the Sept issue of Reader's Digest which goes on the stands next tuesday. There's an article in it that deals with dangerous medical devices and the VNS is the main topic of the story.

http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/medical-devices-that-can-kill/article184371.html

Re: vns surgery

Submitted by tonialpha on Thu, 2010-09-09 - 21:16

Thank you for the article.  I have had the VNS for 10 years.  I have had 2 brain surgeries.  I wanted the best to be undercontrol. When I was young my parents just had treated me as a regular child and I went to camp and school.  I did have seizures but because I was always busy my seizures could of been worse. 

My VNS has been good at times and helped.  It took time to get used too.  When I needed to replace the battery, it has not benefited me well. 

I have had trouble w/ swallowing and ear aches which I felt applied w/ the apparatus. I have had trouble raising my left arm. Physical therapy helped...they felt it could of been seizure activity.  I keep it at a low stimulus and that is the best for me w/ the new battery.  I have trouble speaking and swallowing w/ the higher frequency and my system is more sensitive.  The company stated to use the latest battery system which is very small and best for the human anatomy.

It is a toss up!

It lessens the duration of seizures.  The seizure activity is not as dramatic.  It has helped.  I found the right doctor really helps!

Thank you for the article.  I have had the VNS for 10 years.  I have had 2 brain surgeries.  I wanted the best to be undercontrol. When I was young my parents just had treated me as a regular child and I went to camp and school.  I did have seizures but because I was always busy my seizures could of been worse. 

My VNS has been good at times and helped.  It took time to get used too.  When I needed to replace the battery, it has not benefited me well. 

I have had trouble w/ swallowing and ear aches which I felt applied w/ the apparatus. I have had trouble raising my left arm. Physical therapy helped...they felt it could of been seizure activity.  I keep it at a low stimulus and that is the best for me w/ the new battery.  I have trouble speaking and swallowing w/ the higher frequency and my system is more sensitive.  The company stated to use the latest battery system which is very small and best for the human anatomy.

It is a toss up!

It lessens the duration of seizures.  The seizure activity is not as dramatic.  It has helped.  I found the right doctor really helps!

Re: vns surgery

Submitted by pembry on Fri, 2010-06-18 - 14:21
My brother has had seizures since he was 4 years old. He is 39 years old. I think the VNS could be an option, but I don´t know how much it is.

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