Hello everyone!
I was wondering when they change the battery? I have had mine since 2004. My doctor said when I do go and get my battery changed we are also changing to the new (small) models. I am not sure which model I have, but I know it is bigger than the new ones. I also got my settings changes yesterday to 2.25. It is strong and my throat is dry alot. I can feel it coming on in my chest to my throat. But I am getting used to it. I also was wondering if anyone had brain surgery? I am going to shands hospital next month on December 10th. They want me to do the Video EEG. And see if I am a candidate of brain surgery. I am very scared and nervous. I cant stop thinking about it. I hope all of you the best. :Thanx:

Just curious...


If the VNS is working why are you going in for brain surgery?
If the VNS isn't working why up the settings prior to going to Shands?

The only thing VNS has done was shorten the seizures. I am still having the same amount every month but the seizures are not as long. But it isnt working.. Too me anyways. When I went to the Drs. he was suppose to just check it, but decided to change the settings for some reason. I have no idea why. I just let them do there work and see what happens from there. :rolleyes:

Your doctor can see on his palm pilot, with you holding the wand over the VNS, how the battery is doing.

Hi ashmstng >I went for all the test to see if I was a canditite
for brain surgery. Wouldn't you know when I was there
John Hopkins for a week I did not have any seizure. They took
me off my seizure med and they also turn off the vns.There
conclusion was I was having Non epleptic seizure when I came back
that didn't fly with my neuro because he has seen me having seizure in his office he said he think I may have both types, I tried to keep the vns off to see
I still was having them but it felt good to be off the seizure meds
so it was turn the vns back on or go back on the meds. I said I just want to
try the Vns and we did I have had a few seizures but not as many as I used to have
.I know they had all the leads on my head hard to rest that took quite a while
but they said any time I felt anything to push the button. They were
video taping me fo the week.I really didnt want to have
another brain surgery I already had 2 is how my seizures started in the first place.
Good luck to you .tweety

:rolleyes: I'm glad you don't have to have brain surgery!

My doctor told me on my last visit that they are now working on a rechargable battery. She said MAYBE by te time mine has to be replaced they will have it where it recharges rather than having to have it replaced.

Great! So it's possible that I'll need to be plugged in overnight to recharge my batteries.

What happens when I go abroad? Will I have a three-pin or two-pin socket adaptor attached, and can I "download" some of my charge to the mobile phone in an emergency?

I can see it now. The battery bleeps "low" while I'm on the train. :dribble2:

"Quick, plug the guy in to the nearest socket." :ROFLMAO:

I wanted to say I went to Shands Hospital on the 10th. They said I was a good candidate for brain surgery. The doctor I seen moved my meds around. But I will be going back in February more likely to get a evaluation. I will be there for the longest is a week. After I go and do all of the tests I will think of or if I will do the surgery. By what to doctor said. I am more likely thinking yes, to do the surgery. Just thought I would tell you how it went. Thanks! :)

Keep us posted on how you are doing!

I will. Thanks!

I wanted to keep f you posted that wanted to know but some may already know. I went for all of the tests at Shands. It went well. I just suggest if you dont have to do a Wada test dont do it. That was the weirdest test ever. And it was totally different than what they explain. You cannot find the words to explain it. Anyways, it went well and I am having the brain surgery. It will be next month on May 22nd. I have to be in on May 21st for my pre-op. Thanks for everything. I will keep you all updated. :D

I hope everything goes well and you get the desired results. Keep us posted! :rolleyes:

Good luck on with your surgery. We will keep you in our prayers.

Hugs,
Cindy

Thank you so much Cindy and Labrat! :p: I will keep you all upated as soon as I can. Take care..

Thank you for popping in and giving us an update. We all hope everything goes great. I know I am always very nervous before any surgery, but I have been very lucky in having some of the best surgeons in my area.

I know its been awhile since I have been on here. But I had my surgery on May 22nd. Since then I have not had any seizures. I went back to Shands to have my check-up which I had to have a MRI and a EEG. Which I go back in November and find out the results. But so far we have taking me off one of my meds and it went well. Usually I start having seizures. I have 3 more meds to be taking off and not sure when they are starting that. Slowly but surely everything is going well so far. I plan to go to school but have to get my drivers license first. We will see what happens. I will keep you all updated. I hope you all are doing well. Take care. ;)

That's GREAT news! : party1 :

It's been a while since someone posted something as encouraging as this! Thanks, Ashley!

In Nevada we have to be seizure free 3 months to have a drivers licence, what is the requirement where you are?

:punk: It is so refreshing to hear great news! I am glad you are doing so well, and great hope you will continue to do great once you start going off the other meds! :wavetowel2:

In my state, I believe you have to be seizure free for 6 months in order to have a drivers license.

Dispatch B)

I think it is 6 mths here in Florida. Like he said by November I can get my license which would be 6 mths. But I told him I dont plan to jump into a car right yet. I cant afford one yet. I am saving money for one as of now. I am looking forward to it though. Thank you so much for the messages. I will keep you posted on if anything else happens. :kicking:

~I just hope I can go to school and help others with the same condition and problem as what I have. I know what it is like. I have a friend that I met at Shands and he went though 3 brain surgeries and none has worked for him. Plus he has tried the Neuropace, but it hasnt helped. I have talked to him and he is still having the seizures but doing well. He is already in college. I told him when I start driving I will go pick him up cause I know what it is like not to be able to drive. And I meant what I said. He is lookign forward to that day. So am I. I want to suprise him when he isnt exspecting me. ~

Talk to you all soon. Take care;) :Thanx:

:) I like Ashley, she's been a member here for a long time and makes the effort to pop in every so often with updates. It's so nice when people come back and tell us how they are doing. And it feels good to see old familar "faces"!

:balloon: This is fantastic Ashley! I am really happy for you, and so glad you are in a position to help others! It is so great to know you want to reach out and help others! It sure makes this world a much nicer place!!!

Dispatch B)

Great news Ashley. :Great!:

Good for you! I've had positive results and love to her other success stories!

Hi Ashley,

What kind of surgery did you have? I see you had the VNS implanted 4 years ago...is that still implanted and working?

So good to hear that in backing off your meds you're still doing well. The med you've already discontinued...were you having any side effects from it like fatigue or weight gain? If so, are you feeling better now that you're off the med?

Everything about your postings are bright and upbeat! Feels like sunshine!!!

Please keep us up to date! :)

Hello Oreo!

How are you? Oh my spelling stinks. It is on the left side. I cant think what they called it. I know someone else that Bernard knows on his board had it or mentioned it. About the VNS, yes I still have it but plan to have it taking out just not sure when. One thing at a time. And you asked if I had weight gain. No I have not. I am still on 3 meds. Slowly but surely we will start taking me off of them. Thank you so much about my postings. I sure do feel so much better and talk alot more than before. I am not as shy anymore. I hope thats not a bad thing. LOL.. Just kidding. Well, I will keep you all updated when I hear more. Take care. Bye;)

Dear Ashmstng,

I know I am late but :Welcome: . I am so happy for you that your seizures are not occurring. I am glad the surgery went well. You sound well. When your doctor starts decreasing your medicines, it would be wise to do just one drug at a time.

I hope all your plans work out. I have the VNS in for depression. I think it is helping me. It was put in last Nov. 2007. Remember, just take one thing at a time. :rolleyes:

Take care and again Welcome to this board.

Sincerely,
Bonnie

Hello Bonnie~

Nice to meet you. Thanks for the message. I hope the VNS is working out for you. I will be back for more updates around November which is my doctor apointment. Take care;)

Hi Ashley,

What a wonderful update to read!!! Congrats on such a fantastic turn-around. That is great news and I am sure you are very anxious to when you can pick up your friend when you get your license. I wish you continued success along your recovery from the surgery and much "seizure-free time" in your future!

Hugs,
Cindy

Hello Cindy~

Thank you so much. I cant find the best words to describe how I feel that it is that good. And knowing that I feel free and when time comes to drive. School and picking up my friend would make me feel good cause I know what it feels like not to drive. I cant stop counting the days. I can say so far as of today it has been 4 mths. :kicking: I appreciate everyones messages and friendship. I want you all to know "Thank you" for your help and support when needed. I will keep you updated. Take care. :im_033:

I am back and wanted to update you from my doctors apointment from last week. My results of the EEG & MRI look good. He dont want to start messing with the meds until 2 years from now. As of the VNS he turned it down but we did talk about taking it out but it will be the last thing we do. We also talked about me getting my license since it has been 6mths seizure free. He asked if I wanted to get my license, which I really dont remember if I gave a straight answer cause I got so nervous that it is happening so fast that I didnt expect him to say anything right yet. : surprise : He said I dont have to decide or get my license right now but when I am ready to call him and he will send my paper saying I have the rights. I figured I will do it after the holidays. I want to take the drivings class also. I already have the drivers handbook to study over. I am very nervous but excited at the same time. I want you all to know I thank you for your friendship and everything you have done for me. I also dont want you all to get your hopes down. I never in my life thought of having brain surgery or having such a huch change in life. I cant even explain how life made a huge turn so fast that I cant seem to comprehened. I am still used to not doing certain things and worrying. But I think I will have that sitting on my shoulder cause I have lived my life that way. I hope you all the best luck and I will keep more updates coming. :kicking:

I am planning to start doing the Epilepsy walks every year now to help raise money. I did one this year and I enjoyed it. I dont plan to ever forget what it is like and how it feels. You all are in my hearts. Take care.. :bluzbros:

Wow, you are moving right along! Congratulations! Great to hear good news, and great to hear from you!

B)

:Thanx:
Thanks so much for the gift of good news! Oreo

Ashley, I am very happy for you! : party1 :

Your treatment has been successful and Thank you for being thoughtful and caring enough to keep everyone updated. We wish you well and want you to know you are more than welcome to hang around here to help the newbies with their trials and tribulations concerning VNS Therapy®.

Hello Dispatch, Oreo, & Birdbomb!

I want to "Thank You" for you comments. I hope you all the best on your future. I hope everyone the best in the present and future. I will keep coming to check up and read posts. Also keep you updated on my news.

Birdbomb~ Thank you for making this board for everyone to help each other when they need it the most. You have helped me through alot on things I needed it for. And if you never had this page up I would have never met so many wonderful people through here. Take care. :Thanx:

Hello Everyone!
As I said I would keep you all posted on everything. On Monday I had a apmt to my Neurologist. We did blood work to check on my meds. Also talked about school, license, and everything I want to do. I got the packet from the DMV office. My doctor filled it out that day and Faxed it to Tallahassee (DMV) office. As in school, I decided to go to University of Florida where Shands is. I have never been so happy there. Of course it is 2 in a half hours away but I want a change and I feel being there is my place. Everyone is usually sad in a hospital as of me I am always smiling and excited to go there. LOL.. It has changed my life. I always go and visit the nurses and told them I will be back for school and they are excited. As soon as I get my license part taking care and figure if I should take my basics at a comunity college or at UF. I will let you know when it happens. As days go things are happening very fast. I hope everyone is doing well. I sure will keep you posted as more things come. Take care.

*By the way- It will be a year of no seizures on May 22nd*

:ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:





Ashley, that's wonderful news! Thanks so much for keeping everyone up to date! May your success never end!

Hi Ashley,

Hearing your good news is certainly a wonderful way to start the day! Being stable with no seizures for a year is a great reason to celebrate.

Starting college at a community college or away are both exciting experiences.

:goodluck: Good luck in all you do!

Oreo

Great news on your seizures! :D Keep us posted on how you are doing.

:D HI Ms. Ashley!

I am so very excited for you! Thanks for sharing the great news!

You have taken great steps, and I am so proud of you! I wish you all the best of luck!

I am looking forward to your next update! Keep up the awesome job you are doing!
B)

PS: Birdbomb-I just love the pics you posted! :ROFLMAO: Too funny!