Posted by susan C on August 8, 2001, at 20:21:02
In reply to Re: VNS Operation vs drugs vs ECT vs MCS » susan C, posted by adamie on August 8, 2001, at 19:35:13
Hi,
really appreciated your response. It got me thinking again. I have read about studies and results (10,000 people have used it for epilepsy and it helps where nothing has helped before...I understand that that is how they found out and then investigated the effect on depression, etc.) I really do have to keep it in mind as an alternative as nothing seems to work, or work very long and pdoc thinks there is some kind of seizure thing going on. I guess I don't want an operation because of ones I have had and I think I am frightened of the anesthesia more than anything else)
-s
>
> hi. Regarding VNS the battery has to be changed just every 11 years or so. I feel if it works well for a person then such simple operations wouldn't be a big deal. Having very severe depression is complete mind torture. I am not in that state anymore but even in my current state I am not affriad of having an operation. Anything to make me better. Hopefully I will just get better soon and therefor not need VNS. VNS is extremely safe though. People get operations to have VNS when they have Epilepsy. And people get pace makers for when they have heart problems. Depression I would consider the absolute worst and most serious decease of them all. Therefor I see absolutely no problem in having such an operation.
>
> I will look into what you mentioned. take care
>
> > If we are looking at ECT, VNS, drugs and combinations there of, look also at Alpha Stim 100. It is microcurrent stimulation (MCS), similar, but different from a TENS unit, which used for chronic pain, has had studies done for depression and in the process of getting approved for use. I used it successfully for a year or so when I was very depressed and nothing worked. I was ready to try anything, and, unlike VNS, which requires an operation to install unit and wrap nerve and later to replace battery, Alpha Stim 100 just clips to your ears. Just thought I'd mention it.
> >
> > > if meds fail then VNS will be for me. only side effect is voice alteration. it's a pace maker for the brain. Although it doesn't even touch the brain. it's a tiny box in your chest with a little cord going around your vegus nerve. this cord gives it a small pulse every 3-6 minutes which over weeks or months of time make you feel more normal. response rates for true treatment resistant patients is around 45%.
> > >
> > > Do you know if 45% is a 'response' (ie 50% improvement) or a 'remission' rate?
> > >
> > > >nothing to lose.
> > >
> > > Quite.
> > >
> > > >if you're suicidal then move to canada
> > >
> > > Nice part of the world.
> > >
> > > Ta,
> > > J.
poster:susan C
thread:74195
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010804/msgs/74250.html