What is Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)?

Category: Procedures

Most popular types: GammaCore

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Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an adjunctive treatment for certain types of intractable epilepsy and major depression. VNS uses an implanted stimulator that sends electric impulses to the left vagus nerve in the neck via a lead wire implanted under the skin.

Reported purpose & perceived effectiveness
Purpose Patients Evaluations Perceived Effectiveness
Epilepsy 104 98
Seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic) 40 20
Seizures (complex partial) 34 62
Depressed mood 8 6
Major depressive disorder 7 4

Show all 19 reasons taken


  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell

Side effects

Side effects as an overall problem

Side effects as an overall problem
Severity Evaluations Percentage
Severe 9
Moderate 24
Mild 57
None 44

Commonly reported side effects and conditions associated with Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

Side effect Patients Percentage
Voice changes 7
Hoarseness 4
Raspy voice 4
Difficulty projecting voice 3
Neck pain 3
Chest pain 2

Show all 51 reported side effects

Adherence
Adherence Evaluations Percentage
Always 118
Usually 6
Sometimes 6
Never taken as prescribed 4
Burden
Burden Evaluations Percentage
Very hard to take 5
Somewhat hard to take 13
A little hard to take 23
Not at all hard to take 93
Cost per month
Cost per month Evaluations Percentage
$200+ 3
$100-199 1
$50-99 0
$25-49 0
< $25 76
Not specified 54
Last updated:

19 patient evaluations for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

Jun 12, 2019 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (coughing while drinking, dry cough, hoarseness)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Apr 23, 2019 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (coughing while drinking, dry cough, hoarseness)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Dec 1, 2018 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (coughing while drinking, dry cough, hoarseness)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Sep 8, 2018 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (coughing while drinking, dry cough, hoarseness)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

May 9, 2018 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (coughing while drinking, dry cough, hoarseness)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Nov 16, 2017 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Dec 11, 2016 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (dry cough, hoarseness)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Oct 14, 2016 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (dry cough, hoarseness)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

May 24, 2016 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (dry cough, hoarseness)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Apr 26, 2016 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Nov 12, 2015 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Feb 19, 2015 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Jan 21, 2015 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Dec 20, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Nov 28, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Nov 18, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (hoarseness)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Nov 3, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Oct 24, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Oct 21, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Oct 17, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Oct 14, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Oct 12, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Oct 11, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Oct 9, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Oct 7, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Oct 5, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Sep 26, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Sep 25, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Sep 18, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Sep 15, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Sep 12, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Sep 10, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Sep 8, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Sep 4, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Aug 31, 2014 (Started Dec 10, 1999)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

  • 0 helpful marks

Jul 31, 2017 (Started )

  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (raspy voice)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly

  • 2 helpful marks

Jan 12, 2014 (Started Jul 21, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic))
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly
Side effects: strange cough

Jun 17, 2012 (Started Jul 21, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic))
  • Side effects
    Mild (strange cough)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly
Side effects: strange cough

Oct 6, 2010 (Started Jul 21, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic))
  • Side effects
    Mild
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: < $25 monthly
Side effects: strange cough

Aug 25, 2010 (Started Jul 21, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for seizures (grand mal or tonic-clonic))
  • Side effects
    Moderate
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Side effects: strange cough

  • 2 helpful marks
Last updated:
Showing 3 of 19 patient evaluations for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)