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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Symptoms Of Potential Epilepsy?

I am a school nurse and I have a student who has a VNS. She frequently becomes unsteady on her feet and has fine hand tremors. Lately she has complained of pain at the VNS site. Could she be having a problem with the VNS (it is 5 years old) and it is causing these symptoms? Thanks
Thu, 20 Jul 2017
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Neurologist,  's  Response
If she is complaining of pain at the VNS site then, this should be examined by her doctor, specifically, the surgeon who placed the device to see whether or not there is a problem with the unit or with the leads in that area (i.e. coming out of place, infected, etc.). Unsteadiness on her feet COULD be a symptom of aura though I would think that in an epileptic who is familiar with her condition she probably knows just about all the ways that "dizziness" or "unsteadiness" can present just before a seizure occurs....therefore, if she doesn't recognize it at this point as related to her epilepsy....it's probably not..but still the unit could be malfunctioning in a way that should be addressed and corrected. Best course of action in this student is to recommend she see her VNS doctor so they can look at the device and make necessary adjustments. At least they'll be aware of the situation. Please rate this encounter with 5 stars and write me at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
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What Are The Symptoms Of Potential Epilepsy?

If she is complaining of pain at the VNS site then, this should be examined by her doctor, specifically, the surgeon who placed the device to see whether or not there is a problem with the unit or with the leads in that area (i.e. coming out of place, infected, etc.). Unsteadiness on her feet COULD be a symptom of aura though I would think that in an epileptic who is familiar with her condition she probably knows just about all the ways that dizziness or unsteadiness can present just before a seizure occurs....therefore, if she doesn t recognize it at this point as related to her epilepsy....it s probably not..but still the unit could be malfunctioning in a way that should be addressed and corrected. Best course of action in this student is to recommend she see her VNS doctor so they can look at the device and make necessary adjustments. At least they ll be aware of the situation. Please rate this encounter with 5 stars and write me at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi