Comments on: Changing Minds: Area 25

Experimental Brain Surgery May Help The Severely Depressed

[sandins1]

To find out more about VNS therapy, put in VNSdepression.com Herb's wife has a VNS and is doing well!!

[sandins1]

To todldespair--------Keep trying to find a new MD-----there are many of us who are helped by this therapy----VNS and I have been on more than 10 antidepressants thru the yrs. I would say that your physician does not have current info. on t

he results of this therapy!! S Put VNS in your search and a case manager might be able to help with your area, I do not have any financial connection to the company.

[z88888z]

I NEGLECTED TO POST MY EMAIL ADDRESS. IF ANYONE HAS INFORMATION THAT MIGHT HELP ME OBTAIN THERAPY FOR MY HUSBAND, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT:
[e-mail]

[z88888z]

MY HUSBAND IS 73 AND ACCORDING TO HIS WORDS, HIS BRAIN IS KILLING HIM. HE SUFFERS FROM CHRONIC TRD- DEPRESSION/ANXIETY. HE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED OVER TWENTY PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS WITH NO SUSTAINED HELP. HE HAD 32 ECT TREATMENTS WITH TEMPORARY IMPROVEMENT BUT HE HAS SLIPPED BACK INTO DEEP DPRESSION/ANXIETY. HE REFUSES ADDITIONAL ECT. OUR HMO, KAISER PERMANENTE IN SACRAMENTO, CA, HAS REFUSED TO PERFORM VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION ON HIM. THEY PUT A MORATOREUM ON THAT THERAPY. SUTTER HEALTH QUOTED $33,000 TO PERFORM VNS IF WE PAID OUT-OF-POCKET. UC DAVIS AGREED TO DO THE SURGERY FOR $59,000 TO $79,000 ON A FEE BASIS. BUT THEY WOULD REQUIRE US TO FIND A FACILITY TO DO THE MEASUREMENTS ELSEWHERE. MY HUSBAND IS A VETERAN BUT THE VA DOES NOT DO VNS. I WILL CONTINUE WITH APPEALS TO TRY TO GET VNS FOR HIM. AND, I WILL INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING HIM A CANDIDATE FOR AREA 25 STIMULATION.
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO FOR HIM. HE IS LEFT TO SUFFER IN HIS OWN PRIVATE HELL YEAR AFTER YEAR. HE NEEDS HELP BUT ALL DOORS SEEM CLOSED. . HE NEEDS COMFORT AND SANITY. IS THAT ASKING TOO MUCH?
HOW CAN THE MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC PROFESSIONS ALLOW SUCH INHUMANE TREATMENT?
IF ANYONE CAN PROVIDE ME WITH INFORMATION HOW I CAN GET MY HUSBAND LONG-OVERDUE PALLIATIVE CARE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. HE'S DROWNING IN HIS OWN SNAKE PIT OF MENTAL TORMENT.

[barrymead]

Please tell me how to sign up for the clinical trials. I am treatment resistant and very depressed.

[zerocool5912]

I am a 22 year old young man and I have suffered with depression fro as long as I can remember, I tried suicide atleast a few times all leading me to a stay in ER sometimes hospitalized as well as many long stays in mental facilities. I have tried all anti depressions perscribed to a person with an addictive personality, I am out of options but this show proved to me there is hope, please, please if anyone has any info E-mail me at [e-mail], I cant seem to find a sign up sheet for this procedure.

[barrymead]

I have had treatment resistant chronic suicidal depression for 20-years. I am disabled, and my life is completely miserable. Shock treatments, and medications don't help. How can I find out how to sign up for this kind of treatment? I am trying to hang in there, but I don't have much hope.
Barry Mead
Tempe, AZ

[kireira]

Are any studies being done in the US? I have suffered from depression as a young teen and I am now 42. I have tried so many drugs and combo's that I feel there is nothing left.

I am also trying to get the VNS but the psychiatrist said that if u have been on more than 7 anti-depresaants it will not work. I do not know where she got her information from.

So, I am in search of a new psychiatrist. If anyone has any answers please please post!

[labrador2006]

I was so moved by your show tonight. You gave me hope..There really is light at the end of the tunnel..I know it isn't 100% but to me there is still hope out there for people like me..
Thank you

Paulette

[kerryr69]

Ive been suffering with Depression since i was about 12 yrs. old and know iam 37. I would like to get all the information i can on this new treatment. I would like to know how i could be part of the studies. The meds have stop working with me, and i've tried the ECT with no sucess. please help. thank you

[jkarst25]

I was only recently diagnosed with depression, but have been suffering from it for most of my life. The treatments I have tried so far have only helped minimally, and I would be very interested in getting involved in any research study that I could.

[sandins1]

I have TRD and was implanted with a VNS early this year and it is starting to work. This was approved by the FDA 7/2005 and is now being reviewed for Medicare approval--it has been used for epilepsy with FDA approval since, I think '98. I missed your program tonite, but my dad called after,because he had seen it and wondered if this was what I have. People need to know that the Vagus nerve Stimulator is FDA approved and thre for persons with TRD. Why aren't we hearing about this on 60 Minutes, Lesley Stahl?

[jdmmps]

I looked up to see what university and/or hospital the procedures were being performed at and came up empty-any information would be appreciated

[cdbarker1]

Thank You for your story on depression,it was very interesting. I have suffered from this problem for 17 years. I am interested in getting more information on this procedure and possibly on the test studies that will be done in the U.S. I would very much like to participate in this test. I think that there should be more focus on the treatment of depression because I don't think there is enough information out there for this problem. There are alot of people with this problem and have ran out of options.

[dxmanagement]

If you are having ECT treatments then rTMS may be an option in the future.

[brainstorm5]

I was very interested in your program about the new treatment for major depression. I myself have suffered from it at least since the age of ten, but I didn't find out what was wrong with me until my last year in medical school during my psychiatric rotation. About two years ago, I experienced another severe relapse, and in spite of using many drugs, sometimes in very high dosages and combinations, I am still just minimally "functioning". I had to close my medical practice and apply for social security disability. (I had been going downhill for so long that I have no benefits or savings to fall back on.) I have two young children, and essentially every bit of energy that I have is spent on them (which isn't much). Like one of the patients on your program, I am so fiercely independent and intelligent and others don't even suspect how sick I really am.

I have tried to keep up on any new breakthroughs and treatment for depression, but I admit the treatment on your show was new to me. I will definitely find out more.

Thank you...

Linda

[dxmanagement]

There are other treatments that are currently being reviewed by the FDA that are NON-INVASIVE. These treatments use magnetic stimulation to treat major depressive disorder also. Canada and several other countries already permit the use of rTMS for the treatment of depression.

[jdmmps]

What hospital is the trial involved with?

[smurph01]

Hello-
Was curious....does anyone know the anti-depressants or other medications the two patients were taking in conjunction with the DBS operation?

Thanks.

[michdoyle]

How do I sign up for clinical trails.
After sufering with depression all my life and having ECT treatments. I am ready for something to work..