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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jerrympls on May 2, 2002, at 21:42:09
I think I can say this without getting in trouble - because I believe Cyberonics released it in a press release or recent report: Bascially, they found that during the acute part of the current study (first 3 months) stimulation levels were set & kept too low. They believed the lower stimulation was key-- however it turns out that there is a "theraputic window" of sorts with higher stimulation and if I am correct many are now responding well to increased settings.
I know many of you are anxiously waiting for some word on this device and its effects on depression and I wish I could tell you all every detail - because it's been an interesting experience - and continues to be. Well, maybe I'll give you a teeny tidbit - remember this is just MY experience - it's been almost a year and nothing - got worse at some points - this week they turned it up and..well...something good happened.....
I can't say more than that. But, hope is definitley alive and kicking.
I'll tell you everything later--when I'm allowed....
Posted by Ritch on May 4, 2002, at 10:55:13
In reply to VNS update, posted by Jerrympls on May 2, 2002, at 21:42:09
> I think I can say this without getting in trouble - because I believe Cyberonics released it in a press release or recent report: Bascially, they found that during the acute part of the current study (first 3 months) stimulation levels were set & kept too low. They believed the lower stimulation was key-- however it turns out that there is a "theraputic window" of sorts with higher stimulation and if I am correct many are now responding well to increased settings.
>
> I know many of you are anxiously waiting for some word on this device and its effects on depression and I wish I could tell you all every detail - because it's been an interesting experience - and continues to be. Well, maybe I'll give you a teeny tidbit - remember this is just MY experience - it's been almost a year and nothing - got worse at some points - this week they turned it up and..well...something good happened.....
>
> I can't say more than that. But, hope is definitley alive and kicking.
>
> I'll tell you everything later--when I'm allowed....
Jerry,Thanks for letting us know the little "tidbit". It sounds like you are being sequestered in a jury dealing with a major murder case involving someone famous! It has already been shown that VNS can be very effective for folks with epilepsy who have frequent protracted life-threatening seizures. It has probably kept some of those people from having to undergo risky and potentially disabling surgeries. I will have to search around on the net a little sometime about the Vagus Nerve and its function and pathways, etc. The first time I saw a doctor for a "chronic condition" was for mild irritable bowel syndrome when I was 16, and I was curious why I was having these problems and he told me it had to do with "Vagus Nerve instability" and he gave me some Pro-Banthine and it worked fairly well (anticholinergic).
good luck with the "trial" :-)
Mitch
Posted by denise528 on March 31, 2003, at 9:42:43
In reply to Re: VNS update » Jerrympls, posted by Ritch on May 4, 2002, at 10:55:13
Hi Jerry,
Not sure if you're still coming to this board but if you are can you give us any updates on your VNS experience?
Denise
Posted by jerrympls on March 31, 2003, at 19:16:19
In reply to Re: VNS update - Jerrympls Any more news?, posted by denise528 on March 31, 2003, at 9:42:43
> Hi Jerry,
>
> Not sure if you're still coming to this board but if you are can you give us any updates on your VNS experience?
>
> DeniseHi Denise.
Not sure how much I can say actually, because there is still one more year in the study. I will say this: this is a most interesting treatment and I would opt for an implant as opposed to ECT anyday.
I'm hoping they find out how to match or compliment the brain's "natural" electrical current. They know that this works very well for eplileptics at a very high voltage - as apposed to those with just depression who seem to respond to a lower setting. It's all very complicated because there are many variables as far as the settings of the device are concerned.
I'll write more - if I can - at a later date. I always visit the board so I'm not going anywhere.
Thanks
Jerry
Posted by denise528 on April 1, 2003, at 3:22:28
In reply to Re: VNS update - Jerrympls Any more news?, posted by jerrympls on March 31, 2003, at 19:16:19
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for the update, I really hope it's working for you, had you tried ECT before trying this?
Any ideas why the study is taking so long, I thought it was supposed to have finished a year ago? is it because of all the different variables? When is the study likely to finish, are we talking the end of this year?
Sorry for all of the questions but sometimes I feel so desperate and am just longing to see a glimmer of hope.
Are you treatment resistant as far as medication goes?
Denise
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