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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by greywolf on January 2, 2007, at 19:35:49
My psychiatrist has asked me to consider vagus nerve stimulation. It's sort of a last resort measure considering that there are only a couple meds I have not been on for bipolar/severe depression, and they haven't provided significant therapeutic benefit.
Has anyone here had experience with VNS? My doctor says it's a 45-minute surgery that has benefited some of his patients. I'm interested in what your experiences are.
Thanks.
Posted by Phillipa on January 2, 2007, at 20:01:00
In reply to Vagus Nerve Stimulation, posted by greywolf on January 2, 2007, at 19:35:49
No experience but my pdoc mentioned it. Know you have to still take meds. Love Phillipa ps and a wire inside you don't know if I like the idea of that.
Posted by greywolf on January 2, 2007, at 20:57:10
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation » greywolf, posted by Phillipa on January 2, 2007, at 20:01:00
Thanks, Phillippa.
My doctor showed me the "pacemaker," as he calls it. It's the size of a silver dollar, and a little thicker than an iPod. So, it may be a short surgery, but the hardware is hardly nanotech if you know what I mean.
I don't mind the idea of surgery much, but it's a big commitment and so many other options have already failed, I'd not like to go through something extreme like this and not have it work.
Posted by Phillipa on January 2, 2007, at 21:03:22
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation, posted by greywolf on January 2, 2007, at 20:57:10
Did your pdoc say you had to already have meds that worked? And someone told me no Cat Scans once one is implanted. I had a pic line for IV antibiotics once and I couldn't tolerate something in my body I couldn't get out and could actually feel it. Had it removed in a week. Love Phillipa
Posted by greywolf on January 2, 2007, at 21:51:12
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation » greywolf, posted by Phillipa on January 2, 2007, at 21:03:22
No, VNS is an additional therapy that can be used with or without meds. In my case, over more than a decade I've been on almost every drug you can imagine. From SSRIs to NDRIs to SNRIs to tricyclics and APs and MAOIs. Nothing's worked well or for very long. So now we may try VNS.
If I can get my nerve up.
Posted by Phillipa on January 2, 2007, at 22:59:28
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation, posted by greywolf on January 2, 2007, at 21:51:12
Are you sure about no meds? Love Phillipa ps then how does it work?
Posted by snapper on January 3, 2007, at 0:02:17
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation » greywolf, posted by Phillipa on January 2, 2007, at 22:59:28
Hey guys, I am scheduled to have a consultation with an ENT surgreon in the nest few weeks to probably have the procedure done. I too am nervous in some ways but I figure ..what have I got to lose. I have researched it as much as I feel I can w/o being overly obsessive. I know it may not work for me but I also know I have to try. Even if I only improve 25 to 50 % , that is a win in my book. It is NOT a quick fix and I would say from what I have read and heard many or most people do have med contination. I have particpated in a couple of tele-conferences that were done by Cyberonics-- I still have lots of questions. It does (Phillipa) seem kind of strange to me as well as far as a 'device' in my body. However, I also know that those very strange thoughts could and most likely be associated with my long term depressive thinking accompanying anxiety etc. After 16 years of on again and mostly off functioning to a level that I know I can and have been to before, I question my motives and wonder...is it me or am I really bad enough for VNS. I also attribute those to my "wierdness" that is or is not going on in my brain. Depression has changed me. It has changed my out look on life, it makes me many things I am not. I want the old me back and so does my family. I am trying my best to go into this new year with a positive mindset (if that is possible) with chronic dep and anx! lol.... hoping for the treatment to be an asset and even if not 100% recovery then very good progress. I have read many testimonials about VNS ,listened personally to first hand accounts by present VNS patients etc. and from what most seem to say, it comes slowly and many say it improves with time . It also does for some allow them to dc/ some or all meds. I would be happy to do my best in relaying information to anyone that would like more info -- I know that Jerrympls had the procedure and it did not work for him. How ever I do not thaink that we should base are hopes and expectations, thoughts, and questions and fears about one or a few posters here on babble. We are afterall all in this together and I think we should do what ever we can to help each other out . Like I said , I want my life back and the next year to two years are going pass anyhow. Why not add a therapy that might possibly have the ability to help many get our lives back. Nothing is for sure. Who really knows.
Hope this helps
Snapper
Posted by SLS on January 3, 2007, at 6:56:37
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Greywolf, posted by snapper on January 3, 2007, at 0:02:17
Hi Snapper.
Thank you so much for posting. I wish you the best of luck as you progress through the process leading up to and resulting from VNS. I'm glad you have researched it so thoroughly, especially with respect to the time versus response curve.
It would indeed be helpful to a great many people, myself included, if you would check-in from time to time and updated us with descriptions of your experiences.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Good luck.
- Scott
> Hey guys, I am scheduled to have a consultation with an ENT surgreon in the nest few weeks to probably have the procedure done. I too am nervous in some ways but I figure ..what have I got to lose. I have researched it as much as I feel I can w/o being overly obsessive. I know it may not work for me but I also know I have to try. Even if I only improve 25 to 50 % , that is a win in my book. It is NOT a quick fix and I would say from what I have read and heard many or most people do have med contination. I have particpated in a couple of tele-conferences that were done by Cyberonics-- I still have lots of questions. It does (Phillipa) seem kind of strange to me as well as far as a 'device' in my body. However, I also know that those very strange thoughts could and most likely be associated with my long term depressive thinking accompanying anxiety etc. After 16 years of on again and mostly off functioning to a level that I know I can and have been to before, I question my motives and wonder...is it me or am I really bad enough for VNS. I also attribute those to my "wierdness" that is or is not going on in my brain. Depression has changed me. It has changed my out look on life, it makes me many things I am not. I want the old me back and so does my family. I am trying my best to go into this new year with a positive mindset (if that is possible) with chronic dep and anx! lol.... hoping for the treatment to be an asset and even if not 100% recovery then very good progress. I have read many testimonials about VNS ,listened personally to first hand accounts by present VNS patients etc. and from what most seem to say, it comes slowly and many say it improves with time . It also does for some allow them to dc/ some or all meds. I would be happy to do my best in relaying information to anyone that would like more info -- I know that Jerrympls had the procedure and it did not work for him. How ever I do not thaink that we should base are hopes and expectations, thoughts, and questions and fears about one or a few posters here on babble. We are afterall all in this together and I think we should do what ever we can to help each other out . Like I said , I want my life back and the next year to two years are going pass anyhow. Why not add a therapy that might possibly have the ability to help many get our lives back. Nothing is for sure. Who really knows.
> Hope this helps
> Snapper
Posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2007, at 17:48:20
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Greywolf, posted by snapper on January 3, 2007, at 0:02:17
Did Jerry continue on meds? Had meds helped him at all? Does it have an effect on thyroid disease. My old pdoc said it doesn't help anxiety was he wrong or right? I really need to know as anxiety fuels depression for me thanks snapper. Love Phillipa
Posted by greywolf on January 3, 2007, at 19:06:24
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Greywolf, posted by snapper on January 3, 2007, at 0:02:17
Snapper,
Thanks for your response. I wish you the best with VNS, and I look forward to hearing about your experience. I may gain some heart from it!
Greywolf
Posted by snapper on January 4, 2007, at 3:25:16
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Greywolf » snapper, posted by SLS on January 3, 2007, at 6:56:37
> Hi Snapper.
>
> Thank you so much for posting. I wish you the best of luck as you progress through the process leading up to and resulting from VNS. I'm glad you have researched it so thoroughly, especially with respect to the time versus response curve.
>
> It would indeed be helpful to a great many people, myself included, if you would check-in from time to time and updated us with descriptions of your experiences.
>
> My thoughts and prayers are with you.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
> > Hey guys, I am scheduled to have a consultation with an ENT surgreon in the nest few weeks to probably have the procedure done. I too am nervous in some ways but I figure ..what have I got to lose. I have researched it as much as I feel I can w/o being overly obsessive. I know it may not work for me but I also know I have to try. Even if I only improve 25 to 50 % , that is a win in my book. It is NOT a quick fix and I would say from what I have read and heard many or most people do have med contination. I have particpated in a couple of tele-conferences that were done by Cyberonics-- I still have lots of questions. It does (Phillipa) seem kind of strange to me as well as far as a 'device' in my body. However, I also know that those very strange thoughts could and most likely be associated with my long term depressive thinking accompanying anxiety etc. After 16 years of on again and mostly off functioning to a level that I know I can and have been to before, I question my motives and wonder...is it me or am I really bad enough for VNS. I also attribute those to my "wierdness" that is or is not going on in my brain. Depression has changed me. It has changed my out look on life, it makes me many things I am not. I want the old me back and so does my family. I am trying my best to go into this new year with a positive mindset (if that is possible) with chronic dep and anx! lol.... hoping for the treatment to be an asset and even if not 100% recovery then very good progress. I have read many testimonials about VNS ,listened personally to first hand accounts by present VNS patients etc. and from what most seem to say, it comes slowly and many say it improves with time . It also does for some allow them to dc/ some or all meds. I would be happy to do my best in relaying information to anyone that would like more info -- I know that Jerrympls had the procedure and it did not work for him. How ever I do not thaink that we should base are hopes and expectations, thoughts, and questions and fears about one or a few posters here on babble. We are afterall all in this together and I think we should do what ever we can to help each other out . Like I said , I want my life back and the next year to two years are going pass anyhow. Why not add a therapy that might possibly have the ability to help many get our lives back. Nothing is for sure. Who really knows.
> > Hope this helps
> > Snapper
>
>Hi Scott, you are welcome. I hope i am on the right path and I will post my experiences as they come (within my mental limit) I am not the best at getting back to posts from my posts right now and i am hopeful all understand. Thanks for your reply and thanks for your thoughts and prayers
Snapper
Posted by snapper on January 4, 2007, at 3:33:31
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Greywolf » snapper, posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2007, at 17:48:20
> Did Jerry continue on meds? Had meds helped him at all? Does it have an effect on thyroid disease. My old pdoc said it doesn't help anxiety was he wrong or right? I really need to know as anxiety fuels depression for me thanks snapper. Love Phillipa
Hi Phillipa. You are not alone, that anxiety fuels depression. I have read somewhere that anxiety preceeds as much as 85% of depressions. I also do not , unfortunately know if Jerry kept his med regime in place or not. I would assume, to a degree but this is obviously not a for sure. I like you and many others have a beast of a time with anxiety. It is like the chicken or the egg thing. Which really did come first. I think it is a lot of biology and psychology mixed in together for a lot of folks. All I know is that if I can help my dep. then my anxiety might get better...and if my anxiety gets better then I hope that my depression might and should get better. I know we are all different. There obviously are no guarantees and I need to proceed accordingly. Yes ....it seems like a double edged swoard (sp) . I hope to report positive things in the next few weeks and months ahead.
my best
Snappper
Posted by madeline on January 4, 2007, at 7:31:43
In reply to Vagus Nerve Stimulation, posted by greywolf on January 2, 2007, at 19:35:49
I find this treatment very interesting, and it has generated a lot of excitement in the field
here is an abstract of the latest review of the precedure. If you would like the whole article, just babblemail me and I will see if I can get it to you.
http://www.future-drugs.com/doi/abs/10.1586/14737175.7.1.63
Maddie
Posted by greywolf on January 4, 2007, at 15:22:17
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation » greywolf, posted by madeline on January 4, 2007, at 7:31:43
I'm encouraged by the existence of a non-pharmaceutical option, but I'm concerned about continuing reports that the efficacy of VNS has not been reliably demonstrated. Surgery seems a somewhat extreme alternative if the alternative's efficacy has not been established.
> I find this treatment very interesting, and it has generated a lot of excitement in the field
>
> here is an abstract of the latest review of the precedure. If you would like the whole article, just babblemail me and I will see if I can get it to you.
>
> http://www.future-drugs.com/doi/abs/10.1586/14737175.7.1.63
>
> Maddie
Posted by headcheese01 on January 5, 2007, at 11:32:53
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Greywolf, posted by snapper on January 4, 2007, at 3:25:16
Hello.
Just wanted to let you know of a site where you can read of a bunch of anecdotal experiences from people already implanted. This is the best VNS board around, with the most users:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/vns-for-depression/?yguid=182706648
Posted by flounder on January 9, 2007, at 17:07:41
In reply to Vagus Nerve Stimulation, posted by greywolf on January 2, 2007, at 19:35:49
greywolf, you may want to check out charles donovan's blog:
http://www.mydepressionspace.com
he was one of the phase III trial recipients of VNS, and tells his story there.
good luck!
Posted by snapper on January 10, 2007, at 2:37:33
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation, posted by flounder on January 9, 2007, at 17:07:41
Hey everybody...just an FYI ...my consult with a different ENT surgeon is now scheduled for Feb. 20th. It had to be moved forward. From Jan 8th Waiting ...Waiting and more waiting.
I am of course , very much looking forword to the consult...but even more is the actual date of implant and then the waiting to see if it benefits me starts. Just thought I would up date anyone who was following this thread.
Snapper
Posted by Phillipa on January 10, 2007, at 18:35:32
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation, posted by snapper on January 10, 2007, at 2:37:33
Thanks snapper I'm following. Love Phillipa
Posted by greywolf on January 11, 2007, at 7:44:30
In reply to Re: Vagus Nerve Stimulation » snapper, posted by Phillipa on January 10, 2007, at 18:35:32
Yeah, best wishes from me, also, Snapper. I'm very interested in what your docs have to say and what your experience is.
My doctor has suggested that I participate in a study of VNS that is being conducted in my region, but I've heard that some of these studies use placebos (you get the implant, but they don't turn it on). There's no way I'm going to go through a surgery just to have them not turn the device on.
This is the end of the thread.
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