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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: Re: Vegus Nerve Stimulator for violinist
Submitted by Ben Morgan on Mon, 2006-09-18 - 13:25
Thank you all for the comments. I've been able to contact a violist with a VNS and she says it's no problem for her playing. She has it placed under her left arm and has had great results with it for reducing seizures. So at this point I'm thinking of going ahead.
Ben Morgan
Re: Re: Re: Vegus Nerve Stimulator for violinist
Submitted by malissa72 on Mon, 2006-09-18 - 14:34
i don't know anything about playing the violin with a vns but i have one implanted in me and i have had it for 4 years, it has helped with my seizures but i do have break through. I have now been put on Keppra 500 mg again besides trileptal 300 mg. if anyone would like to write to me that has a vns go ahead because I would like to talk to other people that have the same thing.............
Re: Vegus Nerve Stimulator for violinist
Submitted by stevedj on Mon, 2006-09-18 - 07:52
Hi Ben, I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to give you much help here only reassurance that you're not the only one in your position. I'm a guy with epilepsy, have had complex partial seizures and also running out of the meds to help my situation. The VNS is also a possibility for me but not sure whether I should go with it. All the best with your future career plans and the options you choose for your epilepsy. Steve, UK