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Re: New psychiatrist is hopeless (Try VNS) » jerrympls

Posted by KaraS on February 19, 2005, at 20:23:00

In reply to Re: New psychiatrist is hopeless (Try VNS) » KaraS, posted by jerrympls on February 19, 2005, at 18:22:12

> > > > > > I'm not certain where you live (Canada?), but I recollect you built your own TMS device so you'd likely consider this idea.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I know that Vagus Nerve Stimulation was recently approved for those who have treatment resistant depression. Cyberonic estimates the availability of the device by May 2005. If I didn't know otherwise, you are good candidate, agreed?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Surive and then live.
> > > > >
> > > > > YES - Try for VNS. I was in the d-2 study. It didn't work for me - but I think that was because they were constantly fooling with the settings to find the therapeutic range. I know of many others who were in the study here and VNS changed their lives - and it just might change yours for the better. Hopefully insurance will pay. Goto http://www.cyberonics.com to check it out. Email me or babblemail me for more info. I thought VNS was my last choice - but even tho it didn't work FOR ME - it opened new doors - I got to see top notch psychiattrists.
> > > > >
> > > > > Jerry
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > Jerry,
> > > > How major is the surgery involved?
> > > >
> > > > Kara
> > >
> > > The surgery wasn't so bad. It lasts about an hour. They implant the pocket watch sized implant under your skin right beneath your left collar bone and then tunnel the lead wire up under your skin along the left side of your neck. The other incision is about 2 inches long - usually in a crease on the left side of your neck - they open that up to get at the vegal nerve and connect the lead. I had mine done in the morning and was released in the late afternoon. There was pain of course - stiffness and soreness around the incisions sites. I was able to go back to work in under a week. You don't feel the implant at all because it's so light and small. If it doesn't work out or complications arise from the surgery - it is completely reversable. Some people with asthma have exasterbation of their symptoms when the device goes off (usually set every 5 mins for 30 seconds). Also, depending on the settings of the device, it can effect your voice because the vegal nerve is so close to the vocal chords. At one high setting they had me at, I sounded like I was talking into a fan - like a robot - when the device went off. Other times at different settings my voice would go a bit hoarse. It's hardly noticable to others - but for others the device doesn't have any "side effects." Again- it depends on the settings.
> > >
> > > Also - scarring isn't an issue. I have photos of my incisions if anyone is interested in viewing them. Let me know and I'll post a link.
> > >
> > > Jerry
> >
> >
> > Jerry,
> > Do you feel that you didn't really give it an adequate trial since they weren't sure of what your settings should be? Would you check it out further in the future? Also, you said you did know others in the same study who were helped immensely? It probably costs close to $30k to try this, doesn't it? I think the cost would be prohibitive to most people.
> >
> > k
> >
>
> Hi!
>
> Yes I gave it an adequate trial. I had it on for about 2 years. One big drawback for me was that it exasterbated my asthma. Also, the researchers basically told me - it's not working for you - and they recommended having it removed which I did. Yes I did know a couple people from the study that it helped immensely. I didn't know many others in MY study because there were strict confidentiality policies. The cost in Minnesota anyway was around $20,000 - $10k for the device and $10k for the surgery and after care. I believe insurance will be paying for this treatment now that it's approved. Cyberonics wants this to be successful so they are working hard to get insurance companies to pay for it.
>
> Jerry
>

Thanks, Jerry. I hope you've been able to find medication or other things that are helping you.

Kara


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poster:KaraS thread:458820
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050217/msgs/460576.html