hi, Guys,
I wanted to know if any of you knew about which tests can not be done once one has a Vagus Nerve Stimulator. I know that MRI is out, but do you know if a PET scan or SPEC scan can be done? Is there any type of MRI that is safe?

I'm researching the epilepsy surgery and can not find the answers to this question. I did call Cyberonics, but did not really get any help there. They do not seem to be as patient-friendly as they were when I got my VNS...

ANY info I can get would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to hear from those who have had the surgery. That is how I made the decision to get my VNS. I spoke with the people who had already received a VNS.



Thanks,
Sissylou

Hi Sissylou - Welcome to NeuroTalk . We're glad to have you here and hope to be of LOTS of help. And I bet you can help us too. That's why we're here -- to help each other and just plain talk.

I don't have a VNS but I know several of the people who post here do and they will be along soon to answer some of you questions.

Have you decided what hospital you will be using for surgery? My surgery was done (twice!) at a university hospital and I can't say enough good things about them.

Because I was so scared and reluctant the surgeon suggested I just take all the tests and then make up my mind. The tests started in August and I had the surgery the next Feb .... it was worth it.

I talk too much -- What I'm trying to say is that a good hospital - a good surgeon will talk to you about what tests can work around the VNS and which ones can't. I bet things will go fine.

I'll keep you in my prayers. Please keep checking back here.

Hi there Sissylou,
I'm shawn 33, and I had the VNS from 95 till 2006. While I had it I just couldn't do the MRI or anything that hit me with electricity. But I was able to have all the cat scans in the world. But getting hit with some electricity over time ends up damaging it, and it eventually has to be replaced.
But also every 36 or 4 years you will probably need to have the surgery on the vagus nerve to have the scar tissue there removed. Over a short period of time all the constant electricity that hits it. That ends up scaring the nerve. So they do the surgery to remove the scar tissue to make the nerve look raw again. I had that surgery 3 times because of the VNS. The scar tissue toughens the nerve, and makes it much harder for the nerve to become stimulated. As for cyberonics, you can tell them "you don't treat a VIP this way!! A customer is a VERY IMPORTANT PERSON!!!!" Also my VNS was removed during the same surgery to implant the RNS. Also did you hear about the adults version of the ketogenic diet? I heard at Johns Hopkins it was helping a moderate amount of adults lower their amount of seizures. If you need that info. I'll let you know.
you take care
Shawn

Hi sissylou
I have a VNS sence 2003 and I have never heard of a test you can,t have, I have had every test under the sun,when you go in for a MRI you just have them turn your VNS off and calibrate the machine down and they can put a apron on you when you lay down its not that hard. they know what to do really they have done this alot just make sure you tell every one in the room about your concerns and they will answer them for you if they can.and PET scans are the same and the spec was the same as well they can do all three with the implate in they just have to turn it off you will find you will need to inform the medical ppl of your device,we have to be in charge of are own health some times no one else will do it for us.I hope this answers your questions to some point take care and the best of luck traci
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