Posted by SLS on November 24, 2001, at 8:37:40
In reply to R a question for SLS, posted by Anna P. on November 23, 2001, at 18:56:27
Hi Anna.
>Scott, why don't you consider the Vagus Nerve Stimulation, if cost is not a problem. It's done right now in Canada.
Really? Has VNS been approved for depression in Canada by any regulatory agency?
Unfortunately, cost is an issue. I think VNS costs between 15 and 20 thousand dollars. In the US, the FDA is responsible for approving medical devices as well as drugs. Currently, it has approved VNS for epilepsy, but not depression. Under this circumstance, most medical insurance policies won't pay for it to treat depression. I am dependent on Medicare, the national medical plan for the elderly and disabled. I guess I should check to make sure, but I don't think Medicare would cover me for VNS.I have been thinking more about it recently. I guess I have a problem with implanting a device in my chest and routing wires through my neck and connecting them to a nerve - just to see whether or not it works! But I know that if it were to work, I'd be prancing around merrily, picking wild flowers, and praising the virtues of Cyberonics' brain pace-makers.
What's been going on with you?
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:84785
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011123/msgs/85035.html