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
poster:Ritch
thread:104866
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020503/msgs/105028.html