VNS

15 month since the surgery, still trying to adjust. ruined my sporting career! and still doesn't do me any good. maybe worth it if you have 20 seizures a day, otherwise...

I have had drug-resistant simple partial seizures as long as I can remember and endured a few grand mal seizures as an adult.  I had VNS implanted in 2015 and my simple partial seizures went away instantly.  I still feel an occasional sensation similar to an aura, but there is no partial seizure that follows.  When the VNS is on, I feel a little of this "ghost aura" sensation also.  I have used a bullet analogy when I describe it to my doctor.  The primer still fires but the VNS has removed the gunpowder from the casing so I no longer have to worry about the bullet firing.  I still take medications because they do seem to control the amount of the "ghost auras" I have.Now for the negatives:The first time it was turned on during implantation surgery, my heart went into asystole until the doctors turned the VNS off.  My doctors took a very cautious approach to activating VNS therapy and I have had no other heart effects since.The VNS turns on with sudden increases in heart rate as this can be a sign of an impending seizure.  During physical exertion like hiking and swimming, the VNS will cycle more often and it can really make it feel like you are on the edge of suffocation.  It forces you to take a slower pace sometimes.With that said, the positives far outweigh the negatives and I am very grateful to have found a therapy that finally treats my epilepsy.