What are the side effects of VNS Therapy?
In my experience, the number one side effect of VNS Therapy is voice change, usually mild hoarseness every several minutes when the device turns on. During these 30-second on-periods, the left half of the voice box may not work well due to the small electrical pulses going up the vagus nerve. This side effect usually diminishes over the first year of treatment, though it continues in a minority of patients. The patient can turn the pacemaker off temporarily, for example if he or she has a job interview or an important phone call. Other side effects may include cough, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, prickling in the skin, and neck pain. This device is unique in that there are no major side effects affecting the whole body like dizziness or sexual problems. Because the device is always working, you cannot forget to take it, unlike missed doses of antidepressant pills. VNS Therapy also does not interact with other antidepressants or other medications.
