I'm considering VNS

I just had VNS surgery for seizures and it wasn't what I expected in many ways. They made it sound so easy-a slit here and a slit there and you'll be fine-well it takes a couple of weeks to totally heal and the neck area became really swollen for me and when they finally activated it two weeks later I almost fell off of the table because it was such a strange feeling. I wanted to go back to the dr that night and have it turned off because I couldn't stand the feeling of it going off every 3 minutes and how it made my throat feel. But I hung in there and within 3 days it became less noticable and now I really don't notice it that much except periodically. I think I feel so much better that I am willing to deal with the strange feelings once in a while. I do have some problems sleeping all night long but I think it is because my brain is being stimulated and I wake up. I'm not sure if that is common or not but it isn't that bad. I've had it about a month now and I've noticed an alertness I haven't had for years, energy, better memory, fewer auras, and I can talk again-it seemed for so many years I didn't have the energy to talk. I'm looking forward to having one of my medications reduced in the next 6 months or so. I am glad I had it done and would do it again. Good luck to you, Jean

Hi Ivis, I had the VNS implanted 15 months ago, and have had no problems with it. It has not stopped my seizures, but it has lessened the length of them and shortened my recovery time. For me, the surgery was very easy, and I had very little true pain from it. They activated my unit immediately upon implantation. I have had the voltage increased several times over the last year. At the current time, we are not going to increase it any because it has added some hoarseness to my voice. There are many that have had great success with the VNS, and others that have had not so good results. I wish you the best with your decision, and if there are any questions I can answer, please let me know. ((( hugs ))), Barbie *************************************** "We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing each other." -lucian de crescenzo