Posted by ttee on May 15, 2006, at 14:18:08
In reply to Re: Worn out: rTMS, posted by honeybee on May 14, 2006, at 17:04:06
NEW POST: From what understand about rTMS, it is not a very time consuming process. 20 min a day, 5 days a week. However, when you get to the rTMS vs. ECT deal, you are not working anyway. Keep in mind that the FDA approval process is much easier for a device vs. drugs. If the data is very strong and there were no significant adverse (read dangerous) events in the trials, I wouldn't be surprised that rTMS gets fast tracked with a FDA this year. Since rTMS will cost a fraction of the cost of ECT or VNS, the insurance companies should have no problem with reimbursement. Compared to some of the newer meds, rTMS that can be administered by an RN instead of a doctor might be cheaper. Insurance companies are all about things that work fast and are cheaper. Given the choice of paying $700 a month for an insured’s meds for life vs. a couple grand for rTMS and they get well and take less meds; that will be the cost vs. benefit analysis. It all comes down to the data and if there was a significant response vs. the placebo (sham) arms. They are supposed to publish the trial results this month. Since the company has invested so much in the pre approval pre-launch, I would be very surprised if the data is not very strong for a speedy FDA approval. Nothing ever works for everyone, but the more new and different things there are, the better everyone’s chances become. TTEE
> Me!
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> Er, if I could make it there. Could someone add teleporting and magical payment into the TMS machine so that more of us could a) get there to do it and b) afford it?
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> Even though my brother (a therapist), has cautioned me to "wait until the FDA approves it," I really would sign on if I could figure out a way to get out of my job. Silly having to make a living...
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> Have other working depressed folks figured out ways to talk to their employers about getting treatment? I feel like I would have to invent a kidney disorder or something so that I could miss the three weeks necessary to participate (and keep my fingers crossed, majorly, that I actually get the real treatment instead of the placebo treatment...
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poster:ttee
thread:641290
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060515/msgs/644315.html