Posted by SLS on March 12, 2002, at 18:09:13
In reply to Re: Could you tell us your experience, posted by Jerrympls on February 28, 2002, at 18:34:03
Hi folks.
> That's what I have been hearing/reading - almost exactly as you stated below. And as I still can't go into detail - I will say this: For me it hasn't been a cure and at first I was spiraliing downward but then slowly...slowly....slowly.......the sun started to peak out......mind you it's still pretty overcast....but hope is alive and well.
> > I think Cyberonics is being straight when they say they had a failed study vs. a failed therapy. It is entirely possible that too few people were receiving therapeutic levels of stimulation. Why? They did not want to exceed levels that were comfortable for the patient, so initially many folks were at low settings. As the study progressed, however, they discovered there were other stimulation parameters that could be adjusted to increase the tolerability, allowing the stimulation levels to be comfortably increased. At that point, I think many more participants had their stim. levels moved up to therapeutic levels and began to respond to treatment. Would that be your take on it, Jerry?
A recent study published by Mark George et al. determined that the probability of someone responding well to VNS is low for those who have failed to respond to 7 or more trials of antidepressants. This was confirmed directly by Dr. George to a friend of mine who recently saw him for a consultation. According to her, he quoted a figure of 15% - 20% for the response rate in such cases. Even so, he still recommended to her that she consider VNS as an option.http://www.ndmda.org/ResearchUpdate1-23.html
Although treatment-resistence to medication might indicate a reduced probability of responding to VNS, the same negative association exists for ECT.
Dr. George has also helped to pioneer rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation). The results of the initial clinical trials were disappointing. However, new protocols are being looked at involving higher frequencies and various fluxes (power) and coil placements.
http://www.mhsource.com/pt/p010464.html
I anxiously await Jerry's report of his inevitable positive outcome. (fingers crossed)
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:92834
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97674.html