Living with a Vegas Nerve Stimulator: Solutions and Ideas

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around living with a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) device, exploring potential solutions for working with magnets while managing the risks associated with the device. Participants share personal experiences and ideas regarding safety and comfort, as well as the implications of using magnetic materials.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their VNS device, noting its design and the risks associated with using strong magnets, such as N-52 magnets, which could be dangerous due to the device's sensitivity to magnetic fields.
  • Another participant suggests that removing the device and shielding it could be a solution, but acknowledges that this would be uncomfortable.
  • A third participant emphasizes the importance of consulting a doctor or biomedical engineer before experimenting with magnets, highlighting the potential dangers involved.
  • One participant mentions scaling back their project to use 50 gauss magnets, which they note were originally designed to interact with their VNS device, now turned off.
  • Another participant expresses a sense of camaraderie and support, encouraging the original poster to remain active in the forum despite the challenges faced.
  • Participants discuss the purpose of the VNS device, which is to prevent epileptic seizures by sending electrical pulses to the vagus nerve, and share personal anecdotes related to their experiences with medical devices.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of safety and caution when dealing with the VNS device and magnets. However, there are multiple competing views regarding the best approach to manage the situation, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding specific solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the effectiveness and comfort of proposed solutions, such as the mu-metal brace and shirt. There is also a lack of consensus on the best course of action, with varying opinions on the feasibility of using different types of magnets.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals living with medical devices, those exploring the implications of using magnets in proximity to such devices, and members of the community interested in personal experiences related to health and technology.

magnetboy
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Hi,
I have a device in my chest that is similar in design to a pacemaker; except that I have a coil that goes from my chest to my brain. It is called a Vegas Nerve Stimulator. I want to work with grade N-52 magnets, but I am not even allowed to have a MRI because the magnetic energy would kill me. I am hoping that I can find some solution that will work. The one possible solution that I've come up with sounds highly uncomfortable, but here it is anyways. Making a special mu-metal brace for my neck and a special shirt that has mu-metal covering the box area. One problem I see with the shirt is that it couldn't be washed in a washing machine or dryer. I think the neck brace would work; although it will be harder to work with the magnets and I'll have a stiff neck.

Any other ideas are welcome! I welcome ones that don't sound as uncomfortable as my original idea.
 
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Other than removing the device, shielding the whole thing and reinserting it into you, i don't see an option that isn't uncomfortable.
 


Welcome to PF, friend.
One of our policies here is that we do not give medical advice since none of us are qualified to do so. (There are a couple of doctors and nurses here, but they certainly won't try to make any sort of diagnosis without personal contact.)
I'm pretty sure that the others will say the same thing that I'm going to. Have a good long sit-down with your doctor, and perhaps approach a biomedical engineer for advice. Do not, under any circumstances, mess about with any magnets until you have firm answers in hand. No matter how much you love your work, it isn't worth your life.
I can't even begin to comment about the mu-metal idea, since I've never even heard of it until this thread.
 


Danger, you are right. My life is more important than what I love. I decided to scale back about three steps in my project and use some basic 50 gauss magnets and design a small working model of my invention. What I find funny is that the 50 gauss magnets were actually designed to turn my VNS in my chest on and off. Now that the device in my chest is permanently turned off I use the magnets for experiments.
 


Okay... I didn't understand most of that, but I'm glad that you are taking a moderated approach to the situation.
Even if this issue is now a "done deal" for you, please remain as a member of PF. Be it friendship, scientific knowledge, humour... you have something to contribute which will make the site even better. Besides, you're the closest thing to a real-life version of Tony Stark that I'm ever likely to encounter. That's got to count for something. :biggrin:
 


Trust me, I'll be around. I never thought of Tony Stark and I at all alike, but the device he has in his chest and the one I have in my chest aren't that different. Mine can send electrical current to my brain when it is on.
 


magnetboy said:
Trust me, I'll be around. I never thought of Tony Stark and I at all alike, but the device he has in his chest and the one I have in my chest aren't that different. Mine can send electrical current to my brain when it is on.

Whats the purpose of this device if i may ask?
 


magnetboy said:
Mine can send electrical current to my brain when it is on.
My body occasionally transmits an electrical (neuronal) signal to my brain, whereupon I post. Otherwise, I'm pretty dormant.
By the bye, I do understand whatever level of pain you might feel at backing off from something that you want to do. The only time that I was ever happy in my entire life was when I was flying. Then, somewhere around 35 years ago, I came up diabetic. Apparently that is no longer an issue, but at that time someone with that condition was not allowed to possesses a pilot's license. My life was essentially ruined, and I have to say that discovering PF and becoming friends with the more constant members has saved me. It's not quite a substitute for meaningless recreational sex, but it's better than nothing.
 


Drakkith said:
Whats the purpose of this device if i may ask?

It is to stop Epileptic Seizures by sending electrical pulses to the vegas nerve in the brain every five minutes. The level of electricity sent to the vegas nerve via the coil that is connected into the Vegas nerve is set via a wand programmed to communicate with the device. Yes, I literally have a coil that you can see slightly bulging in my neck and a box in my chest. I don't mind it that much. It served its purpose. I can have the box removed, but not the coil because it is connected to my brain and if removed could result in death or severe brain injury.
 
  • #10


Ah i see.
 
  • #11


magnetboy said:
It is to stop Epileptic Seizures by sending electrical pulses to the vegas nerve in the brain every five minutes.
Holy sheepgarbage! You're the Terminal Man! Does Crichton know that you're running around loose?
 

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