Posted by PhoenixGirl on November 28, 2001, at 15:49:58
In reply to Re: R a question for SLS, posted by Anna P. on November 28, 2001, at 14:51:42
I'll try to answer the questions that people asked in one post, if I can remember them all. About what kind of depression I have -- the description of atypical sounds more like me. But it depends on what med I'm on. When I've tried to go off meds, I can't sleep, don't want to eat, and can't feel good about anything. When I'm on most meds, I crave sweets, I'm tired all the time but have trouble falling asleep at night anyway, and can feel kind of good in response to positive events. So who knows what type of depressive I am. I respond better to tricyclics than other types of ADs, and apparently I respond better to drugs that strongly affect norepinephrine rather than seratonin. I haven't tinkered with my dopamine very much, but I had a temporary positive response to stimulants, which disappeared after a few months. I've responded to ECT more than anything else.
Okay, as to how much ECT costs -- it varies greatly depending on your insurance. If you had no insurance, the Emory hospital would bill you for about $1100 per treatment (not including inpatient hospital stay if you need that). The variation comes when insurance gets involved. My insurance is good - they negotiate the $1100 down and I pay 10% of the negotiated cost. My insurance negotiates it down quite a bit, but I'm not sure exactly how much each treatment costs me. Insurance plans vary greatly, though, so you'd have to check with your insurance company.
About Vagal Nerve Stimulation...About a year ago I almost took part in a study at Emory University. I don't know if the study is still going on, but they told me that every participant would get the implant and medical care for free. Half would have it turned on, half would not (for purposes of study). After the study, everyone would have it turned on. It scared me, though, because the vagus nerve could be damaged during the operation, resulting in permanently hoarse voice, stomach problems, among other things.
Well I can't remember the other questions. I'll post this and go back to check if I missed any.
poster:PhoenixGirl
thread:84785
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011123/msgs/85424.html