Posted by JonW on May 21, 2002, at 21:34:49
In reply to vagus nerve stimulation, posted by mashogr8 on May 21, 2002, at 18:00:09
Hi Ma,
At the end of last year I was hospitalized twice and seriously considering ECT after the second time. My parents and I brought up VNS to several psydocs I was involved with as something to try before resorting to ECT, but all of them told us there's insufficient data to recommend it. I figure if there's a chance it could work, why not try VNS first? I can see their point, though. ECT is not some form of torture like they've portrayed in the movies. It goes along with some serious risk and undesireable side-effects that shouldn't be taken lightly, but it's still the most effective treatment for depression available. In my opinion, if someone is at high risk for suicide or who is in a deep depression and hasn't gotten any relief, it makes the most sense for treatment to be guided by the data on efficacy and maybe even efficacy alone -- as long as there aren't any flipper babies or third limbs associated with it or anything :)
Jon
> Several months ago there was a thread re info on
> vagus nerve stimulation treatment. The thread seemed to come to an end because no additional information on anyone's experiences was available.
>
> My psydoc has suggested VNS as a possible to ECT. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has personal or anecdotal experience with VGS.
>
> Thanks for time and thoughts.
>
> Ma
poster:JonW
thread:107191
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020517/msgs/107222.html