Posted by Chris A. on May 7, 2000, at 2:02:03
In reply to Re: Vagal nerve stimulation, posted by SLS on May 6, 2000, at 23:44:03
Thanks, Scott,
> I am interested as to why you feel you must head in this direction.
Relief hasn't been forthcoming. Right now I'm putting my hope in high dose Omega 3 fatty acids and Choline. I've almost given up on ECT. Monday will be my eighteenth treatment since the end of January.
The only other things, in my thinking, that I haven't tried are rTMS (not available in my part of the country) and ziprasidone, which isn't available yet.> What do you mean by "unstable"?
My diagnosis is mixed bipolar. I thought it was recurrent major depression until 1990 when Prozac caused a switch to hypomania followed by a really nasty major crash that I feel I've never recovered from.
My mood has been mostly depressed, but fluctuates a lot. There is more irritability than I care to admit to. My self esteem is low and my pDoc also has me diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder. Yes, I've always been a tad shy, but sometimes want to argue with that particular designation.>
> How would you describe the major features of your mood states?There's been a lot of obsession with suicide, but it's been eight years since my last serious attempt. The most respite there was from it was for a few months when I was on Prozac, which backfired.
>
> In what ways has your disorder interrupted your life?
I've given up professional aspirations. I'm afraid to volunteer to do anything for fear I won't be able to carry through. My family could use a bit of volunteering - like some meals. Fortunately I still have my wonderful family.
>
> Have you tried MAO inhibitors?Yes. Parnate was to activating for me. Years ago I believe I was on Nardil. I am taking a miniscule dose of selegiline now. ADs have a strong history of causing switching, so I have to be very careful.
> I guess my concern is that you may have overlooked some treatment strategies that you might want to consider before opting for a surgical implant. I am impressed with what I have seen so far regarding the efficacy of VNS. However, I'm not sure the reports generated by clinical trials pay as much attention to the negative aspects of this treatment as one would like. VNS has recently been approved to treat epilepsy.
Thanks for your concern. I hope you're right. Just a short list of what I can remember: Elavil, Triavil, Vivactil, desipramine, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Effexor, atarax, buspar, Ativan, Klonopin, Lamictal, Topomax, Lithium, Depakote, Tegretol, Clozaril, Zyprexa, Serzone, gabapentin, Resperidol, Seroquel, lightbox, perphenazine, ritalin, verapamil, nimodipine, buprenorphrine, exercise, cognitive therapy and a few others I haven't listed because it's past my bedtime and I don't remember what they were. T3 and T4 are always a part of my regimen, as I've had Hashimoto's thyroiditis and am hypothyroid. We keep the TSH low, and it tends to fluctuate widely, just like my mood. That makes me highly suspect something awry with the hypothalmus.
If you have any ideas I am definitely willing to listen. I'll pray that you'll find some answers in your search, too. At this time my brain feels so disorganized that I very much feel at the mercy of my docs. At least I have good ones that do care.
We do have medical friends who recently had a VNS implanted in their child with refractory seizure disorder. Before I make any decision I will definitely talk with them.Blessings,
Chris A.
poster:Chris A.
thread:32546
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/32593.html