How to Use the VNS Therapy Magnet: Tips and Advice

We are a worldwide leader in neuromodulation and cardiovascular solutions dedicated to creating products and therapies that transform lives each and every day. You have been given VNS Therapy because you have drug-resistant epilepsy VNS Therapy is beneficial to people whose medications aren't fully effective or have stopped working, or people whose medications have side effects that affect their daily lives.
What does the VNS Therapy Magnet do?
Use of the magnet is not necessary to receive VNS Therapy. The magnet is an added benefit of VNS Therapy that serves various functions that could include the following:
- Starting an extra dose of stimulation to stop or shorten a seizure
- Decrease the intensity of a seizure
- Shorten the recovery period following a seizure
The magnet can be used for stopping stimulation to temporarily control side-effects during certain activities such as public speaking. To temporarily stop stimulation, hold the magnet in place for at least five seconds Once the magnet is removed, normal mode operation will resume. Sometimes the magnet is used to test or reset your VNS Therapy generator by your healthcare professional.
How to use the VNS Therapy Magnet
Two identical magnets are provided along with a wristband and a clip When worn with the wristband, the magnet should be on the inside of your wrist. When you feel a seizure is about to start, or during a seizure, you, or a caregiver, can place the magnet over the chest area where the generator is implanted. Pass the magnet over the generator for 1-2 seconds, and then immediately remove the magnet from the area of the generator activate an additional dose of stimulation. This stimulation is delivered after the magnet is removed. The magnet can be used more than once during a seizure Using it more than once will not harm the patient or the generator When using your magnet to temporarily stop stimulation, hold the magnet over the generator for more than three seconds. If you have an AspireSR implanted, or greater than 65 seconds if you have an older model, such as Pulse.
Tips on handling the VNS Therapy Magnet
- It is important to keep your magnet with you at all times
- The magnet should be kept at least 25cm away from credit cards, televisions, computers, microwave ovens, or other magnets.
- Do not drop the magnet; it can break if it falls on a hard surface.
- The Patient Magnet is the only magnet that should be used to either start or stop stimulation.
- It is safe to take your magnet through airport security.
- All magnets may lose their effectiveness over time.
Contact your physician for information on how to get additional magnets.
For more information, please visit vnstherapy.com or contact your doctor.
THIS VIDEO IS INTENDED FOR AUDIENCES IN THE OUS (NON-USA) REGION. The VNS Therapy System is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in patients whose epileptic disorder is dominated by partial seizures (with or without secondary generalization) or generalized seizures that are refractory to seizure medications. The most common side effects with VNS Therapy are hoarseness, shortness of breath, sore throat and coughing. These side effects generally only occur during stimulation and usually decrease over time. The most common side effect of the surgical procedure is infection. For important safety information, visit www.vnstherapy.co.uk/safety-information