Comments on: FDA OKs Brain Stimulator for Depression

By: Lory

Lory — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:05:07 +0000

I have treatment-resistant depression and rapid cycling bipolar.I am desperate…I have not tried ECT, does it ever help? I am even considering this VNS, but am very wary…I have been struggling since the 1980’s….and it has only gotten worse, no matter what I try, not even the hospitalizations. How much more desperate can a person get? Sometimes I think I would even consider that lobotomy idea.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 16:25:40 +0000

Mary:

Has anyone had any luck getting a VNS implant in the U.S. – AND gotten Medicare to pay for the procedure?

My girlfriend suffers from treatment-resistant depression and bipolar disorder. She has been through everything, including two rounds of ECT (I think she had 7-10 ‘treatments’ each time) in 2003/4. She is at her wits end – any advice from someone who has successfully sought this from Medicare would be gratefully appreciated!
- a dear friend of one of the tortured ones

By: Managing Editor

Managing Editor — Thu, 08 Sep 2005 09:34:27 +0000

Hi Mary,

You’ve tried several other options, including ECT, and by the sounds of it, these haven’t helped to relieve the symptoms you’re experiencing. In that context, I can really understand your wanting to try this as another possibility. If you feel like it, please do let us know how it works out.

All the best,
Greg

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 21:20:09 +0000

I am desperatly trying to get this procedure done ASAP. After exausting everything else(Meds since 1977 and ECT). Do you blame me? Those who are skeptical must not know the depths of this grusome disease!

By: Managing Editor

Managing Editor — Wed, 20 Jul 2005 08:16:46 +0000

The thought of having electrical shocks delivered into the brain on a regular basis doesn’t seem very appealing? I have to admit it seems pretty radical to me — and a bit worrying, given that the actual evidence for it seems sketchy at best.

On the other hand, if I were severely depressed, and felt like nothing else had helped, I might be grateful for one more option.

All the best,
Greg

By: Joanna D

Joanna D — Tue, 19 Jul 2005 23:30:00 +0000

Hmmm…the next time I’m severely depressed I don’t think I’ll look into this as an option, whether they can find a med combo to get me back to functioning or not.