Jenee Leger has always worked to be the best at everything she did — from track and field to bodybuilding.
She was a four-year college athlete, went on to be a Fitness Olympia competitor and participated in the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness Professional League. Being a champion has always been in her DNA, but it hasn’t always been easy, as she’s dealt with seizures most of her life.
Leger began having seizures in elementary school, but at the time, they were written off as daydreaming. It wasn’t until she was 25 that the seizures became more frequent, and she received an official epilepsy diagnosis from a neurologist. But this didn’t stop Leger from staying on her path as a champion bodybuilder and living her life.
Searching for an answer
Over the coming years, Leger and her care team tried different medications and dosages while searching for what would work best. Experiencing 10-15 seizures a day for years, Leger found it harder to do the things she loved the most, like running, working out, and simply being a mom to her newborn. These seizures continued despite her taking upwards of three medications at the same time.
Leger battles drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) — a diagnosis given to patients after two appropriately prescribed, tolerated, and properly used anti-seizure medications fail to achieve sustained seizure freedom. DRE is common, in fact, for 1 out of every 3 patients with epilepsy, medication alone fails to control seizure activity.
That’s when her neurologist recommended VNS Therapy™, a device that helps prevent seizures before they start and stop them if they do.
VNS Therapy™
VNS Therapy™ is an add-on treatment for people 4 and older living with drug-resistant focal seizures. It has been Food and Drug Administration-approved since 1997. The VNS Therapy™ device sends mild pulses through the left vagus nerve to areas of the brain that are associated with seizures. The device is placed under the skin of the chest and connected to the left vagus nerve in the neck in an outpatient procedure.
VNS Therapy™ can safely lead to fewer, shorter seizures and better recovery after seizures. Studies also show many quality-of-life benefits including improved alertness, mood, and memory.
Commonly reported side effects of VNS Therapy™ include: voice alteration or hoarseness, increased coughing, sore throat, prickling or tingling of the skin, and shortness of breath. These side effects generally only occur during stimulation. They become less noticeable over time for most patients. Infection is the most common complication of the surgical procedure. Important Safety Information can be found at www.vnstherapy.com/safety.
Life in control
Individual results may vary, however, VNS Therapy™ has improved Leger’s quality of life and allowed her to get back on track to becoming a champion.
With more control of her seizures, Leger is getting back to the things she loves most in life. “VNS Therapy™ is a life changer for me,” she said. “I get to be present with my loved ones, exercise and run, pursue my passion for healthcare marketing, advocate for epilepsy awareness, and make a meaningful impact on my community every day.”
Gaining back more control over her life, Leger has also developed a strong passion for advocating for others with epilepsy.
Even though she doesn’t aim for gold medals now, Leger’s days of being a champion aren’t over. Now, she’s a positive force for those with epilepsy in her community, working with local nonprofits to drive awareness of epilepsy and connect those affected.
“Having a support team and feeling connected really makes a difference,” Leger said. In 2024, she hosted a first for her community: a 5k walk for epilepsy. Hundreds of people attended the event, but Leger isn’t ready to stop there. “No one is alone in my community as long as I’m here,” she said.
To learn more about VNS Therapy™, visit VNSTherapy.com
