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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by snapper on October 8, 2006, at 1:56:24
Dr. said Vagus Nerve Stimulation. I am excited and somewhat tenative and hopeful, and scared all at the same time. I welcome any comments ...good or bad. I have talked to a nurse at Cyberonics in Houston and recieved a packet of info. I have researched it to a large degree on my own. I am proceeding and am going to hope for the best. I have been told that my Medicaid insurance WILL COVER IT . BRING ON THE COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
THANKS
SNAPPER
sorry about the latent caps!!
Posted by SLS on October 8, 2006, at 5:59:57
In reply to VNS, posted by snapper on October 8, 2006, at 1:56:24
> Dr. said Vagus Nerve Stimulation. I am excited and somewhat tenative and hopeful, and scared all at the same time. I welcome any comments ...good or bad. I have talked to a nurse at Cyberonics in Houston and recieved a packet of info. I have researched it to a large degree on my own. I am proceeding and am going to hope for the best. I have been told that my Medicaid insurance WILL COVER IT . BRING ON THE COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
> THANKS
> SNAPPER
> sorry about the latent caps!!
With all of the research you have done, I am much more interested to hear what you have to say.My impressions have been negative up until now, and I have resisted my doctor's suggestions to try it. He has no real enthusiasm for it at this point, but nothing negative to say about it either. I have a Cyberonics video that I haven't watched. It's been collecting dust for over about a year.
You take 100 TRD people, and no more than 30 respond by 12 weeks. That's a 50% or greater reduction in symptoms. Ok. That doesn't sound so great. However, the placebo rate in this population is less than 10%. 30% is actually a pretty high number. The thing is, the benefits of VNS might not become evident for 6 months. When followed over extended periods of time, some of the intial non-responders were shown to respond after 6 month and 12 month follow-up.
Two not-so-good news studies produced by a major research team in VNS demonstrated:
1. No treatment effect after 10 weeks.
2. Less than 30% after 12 months
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on October 8, 2006, at 10:28:09
In reply to Re: VNS » snapper, posted by SLS on October 8, 2006, at 5:59:57
Snapper don't you have to have a wire? That prevents you from having an Mri should you need one in the future? Love Phillipa
Posted by snapper on October 10, 2006, at 2:29:55
In reply to Re: VNS » snapper, posted by SLS on October 8, 2006, at 5:59:57
Hey Scott, how are you?
I have not exactly done the most scientific and extensive research available on the subject... I have done enough to know that it is being proposed to me and I am taking a serious look at it. The %'s of a "response" are indeed rising with the implant being there longer term. All I know is that It is a definite and viable option and can always be "ex-planted" of course the negativity of my depresiogenic state makes me think that it is not right for me and "won't" work....how ever I do not see living like I have been for the rest of my life. I know VNS is fairly "ne" yet I may be a P Babble guinea pig. It is an option of course and I do of course doubt it. I also know that as of 2 weeks ago.... MY pdoc said that the "long term" results are showing to be better and better! I can laugh at jokes...make my own jokes and see beyond my misery but I just can't see out of the misery of this present and long standing misery. I am certain many of my fellow babblers can relate. I fig. if it can help me with my lack of motivation, negative thoughts, paralysis of will, and even 25 to 50 % of my cognitive FU**kage..... then it may well be worth it. I have the video...I have watched the video... and I certainly am NOT sold on the Hype...Depression has chasnged my personality. MY ideas and hopes of this life. It has robbed me of REAL pleasure. I know that I do not suffer as much as some, but maybe more than some or most. I have enough anhedonia to not care ...but enough hope to not resist the option that is available to me. I am sorry if I did not answere all of your questions you asked. I did however want to make sure I did respond to you. Hopefully give you, myself and others a chance in life at just maybe, just maybe...that a better life is maybe knocking at the door!
snapper
Posted by snapper on October 10, 2006, at 2:33:49
In reply to Re: VNS, posted by Phillipa on October 8, 2006, at 10:28:09
> Snapper don't you have to have a wire? That prevents you from having an Mri should you need one in the future? Love Phillipa
Yes Phillipa, but if I have to have a wire and I need an MRI, I am not sure at this point of what they do. All I know is that I will take a possible 25 to 50% and possible progressing state of less depressive state over an MRI any day. I know that sounds flippant but I am learning more and more and I am pretty confidant that that that issue can be worked around!!
snapper--:)
Posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2006, at 19:37:11
In reply to Re: VNS » snapper, posted by SLS on October 8, 2006, at 5:59:57
Snapper my pdoc mentioned it twice to me. I know I can have it but you have to stay on meds. What if no meds work? And I had a PICC line once for antibiotics it freaked me out the wire in my body. Love Phillipa
Posted by kimcrazylady on October 11, 2006, at 13:40:25
In reply to Re: VNS » SLS, posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2006, at 19:37:11
If you need an MRI you just have to wear a special "coil" around your head and it's all fine. I've checked it out and had the company check it out also.
Kim
This is the end of the thread.
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