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Vegus Nerve Stimulator for violinist
Wed, 09/06/2006 - 14:28Topic: Surgery and Devices
Hi,
I'm a musician with epilepsy. I'm 24 and play the violin and viola and am hoping to have a professional career. I've had complex partial seizures for a dozen years and am running out of new meds to try. My doctor says I'm a candidate for the vegus nerve stimulator but I'm worried that the placement of this device and the wires in my neck will interfere with my playing.
I wonder if there are any violin players out there who have had the vegus nerve stimulator implanted and how it worked out for you.
Thanks,
Ben Morgan
Comments
Re: Vegus Nerve Stimulator for violinist
Submitted by wflisa on Wed, 2006-09-13 - 13:18
Hi Ben,
I am a composer, former flutist and pianist, and started having grand mal seizures starting in October 2004, but the really nasty ones starting in November 2005. I am seriously considering the vagus nerve stimulator, but have been unable to get sufficient information to make a decision. If you would like to correspond musically or related to the big E, you can reach me at jslisa6@scc.net.
At this point I am still taking just lots of meds, lamictal and keppra both.
Lisa
Re: Re: Vegus Nerve Stimulator for violinist
Submitted by malissa72 on Mon, 2006-09-18 - 14:56
Hi lisa!!!!!!!! How are you doing??????? I'm fine. I have had a vns implanted for 4 years. It works great, you do have break through seizures though but they are nothing like if you don't have it. I hurts for awhile after they put it in but believe me it does help. It is a same day surgery, so it only takes a couple of hours to do. You get a magnet that either you can use to stop the seizure or if your with anyone they can use the magnet to stop it. i feel better about it because of the fact that i have it,its nice to know that my kids or husband can stop it. Anyway if you would like to write me back and talk to me more about it I'll talk to you ok, you can write me back ok. malissa
Re: Vegus Nerve Stimulator for violinist
Submitted by tinyfly on Mon, 2006-09-11 - 17:32
The only way the vaus nerve stimulator is going to bug playing your violin is if you lean to the right. and even then it'll only matter for about a month seeing as they cut up the muscles in the left side of your neck. I say go for it, it's been great to me.