Hello there,

My son's VNS has a special "trigger" inside it that when the doc ''reads'' it, the device can tell them how much of the battery is left for the triggering of the device on.

There is also a EOS (End of Service) unfortunately my son's never went "off"

The ways to tell if the VNS is not working properly is

1. increase in seizures.

2. swiping does not seem to help when it has helped in the past.

3. hearing the VNS go on in the voice of child is sporatic.

4. pain. There should NEVER be pain, if there is something is very wrong and get to the neuro NOW.

We had 1, 2, 3 but not 4. My son's VNS lasted 3 years, and last Nov. he had his second on implanted and it only took 1/2 an hour and he was done. The neurosurgeon even checked on the wires to be sure they were still doing their jobs and did not need replacing.