VNS Therapy for epilepsy can be a beneficial alternative to medication. VNS is an acronym for Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Epilepsy has no known cause and can start in a person at any age. Up to 35% of people experience what is known as uncontrolled epilepsy, in which no medications are effective. Some people who do respond to medication have side effects such as extreme tiredness, which can be detrimental to work, school, and life in general.
The VNS Therapy is a device much like a pacemaker which has stimulating leads. The device, which is roughly the size of a watch, is implanted under the skin with the stimulating leads being attached to the left vagus nerve. Every 5 minutes the generator sends electrical pulses to the vagus nerve for about 30 seconds. The vagus nerve in turn sends a signal to the brain, helping to stop the irregular electrical impulses that are occurring.
There are slight side effects of the VNS Therapy, such as hoarseness while the device is emitting a signal, a tingling sensation in the throat, a slight cough when the signal begins, and shortness of breath. Some people who have had the VNS Therapy for some time note that many of these side effects can be outgrown, or they lessen over time.
The VNS Therapy device takes just over an hour to put in. Side effects of the implantation are a little discomfort after surgery, a 1% rate of infection where the device then needs to be removed, and a less than 1% chance of nerve injury (which is temporary), as well as the general risks of surgery.
VNS Therapy Helps Adults and Children Over 12 Years Old
While epilepsy can begin to occur in infants, the use of VNS Therapy can not be used until a child is at least 12 years old. Many candidates for VNS Therapy have shown little or no response to medications, a high dosage of medication needed to control the seizures, or have side effects that alter what would be considered a normal lifestyle. Many doctors will not consider VNS Therapy for a patient until that person has had no positive response to at least three different types of medication.
In patients who have had the device implanted, 80% experience fewer seizures, while 75% are able to lessen the dosage and number of anti-seizure medications that they take. About 70% of patients opt to have the device replaced when the battery goes out. Although all medications and therapies are not for everyone, VNS Therapy may be a good option. Unlike traditional anti-seizure medications which can cause depression, dizziness, memory loss, and even weight gain, there are very few side effects of VNS Therapy.
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