Posted by juanantoniod on January 17, 2007, at 18:13:20
In reply to Re: Is ECT all that is left?/Job impact, posted by Karen44 on January 17, 2007, at 16:28:27
VNS Therapy for *depression* was rushed through FDA because it is an important therapeutic option that needed to be available to the public. Any adverse effects would have been known by now, because it has been used for *many years* in the treatment of epilepsy. Now, it's almost the second line treatment if the first or second trial of medication fails. Use this information how you wish.
> > VNS is much safer than ECT. It is done in *1* outpatient procedure, not many, and none of the following occurs:
> >
> > Side Effects of Electroshock Therapy
> > It is well established and documented that memory impairment is the worst side effect and is the one most frequently cited by patients. The other most common side effects are headaches, nausea, confusion and muscle ache or soreness. Over the course of ECT, patients may have difficulty remembering newly learned information. Some patients report memory loss for events that occurred during the day, weeks, and months preceding ECT. Some patients have reported long lasting problems with recall of some of these memories and some patients have claimed they have “permanent brain damage.”
> >
> > > VNS - I am not so sure it is so safe either any more than ECT.
> > >
> >
> >
> I don't know why, but my pdoc has concerns about VNS, says approval was rushed through the FDA before we have really studied whether or not there will be adverse consequences. What can I say; I am aware of the potential for adverse things happening with ECT.
>
> Karen44
poster:juanantoniod
thread:722043
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070113/msgs/723366.html