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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Babak on July 15, 2007, at 15:23:08
After 14 years of depression controlled by medication my depression took turn for the worse four years ago.
I am gripped by a crippling state of anhedonia, I have tried all the medication and their combinations to no effect as well as ECT.
My Pdoc has suggested VNS. I like to hear from people who have had VNS and let me know if it is effective with regards to anhedonia.
Thanks
Posted by headcheese01 on July 15, 2007, at 21:04:56
In reply to VNS + Anhedonia, posted by Babak on July 15, 2007, at 15:23:08
Babak,
As with the meds, VNS has mixed results as far as efficacy. Given that the population that has the VNS implant often turned to it after having limited to no success over a prolonged period of time with other treatments (meds), there are a remarkable number that achieved some relief with VNS. Some have gone into remission too.
A good board where you can post your questions about VNS is here: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/vns-for-depression/
I have the VNS implant. Unfortunately, it has been of very limited benefit to me, but if you go to the site I listed, you'll find plenty of success stories.
Best wishes.
Posted by Babak on July 15, 2007, at 23:33:39
In reply to Re: VNS + Anhedonia, posted by headcheese01 on July 15, 2007, at 21:04:56
How do you charaterize your depression.
I am interested to know because the whole nature of my depression changed four years ago.
I am not saying that before I was full of vitality but since then I have had to redefine depression and anhedonia to myself.
I have no interest in sex, food, keeping myself clean, reading or getting out of bed, working has been totally out of question. I am bed ridden by anhedonia. I never thought human spirit can go down that far. I don't even think my health carers quite appriciated the extent of my anhedonia. My mind is gradually shutting down.
The only thing which gets me kind of better for a short while is opiates.I have managed not to get quite "hooked" but I take heroine about once a week just to be able to do what is absolutly necessary. I call it coming up for air.
Is anyone out there who is this bad. I have no life, I just exist. If I could feel any emotions I am sure I would kill myself but I don't even feel that.
Posted by rvanson on July 19, 2007, at 0:49:31
In reply to Re: VNS + Anhedonia » headcheese01, posted by Babak on July 15, 2007, at 23:33:39
> How do you charaterize your depression.
> I am interested to know because the whole nature of my depression changed four years ago.
> I am not saying that before I was full of vitality but since then I have had to redefine depression and anhedonia to myself.
> I have no interest in sex, food, keeping myself clean, reading or getting out of bed, working has been totally out of question. I am bed ridden by anhedonia. I never thought human spirit can go down that far. I don't even think my health carers quite appriciated the extent of my anhedonia. My mind is gradually shutting down.
> The only thing which gets me kind of better for a short while is opiates.
>
> I have managed not to get quite "hooked" but I take heroine about once a week just to be able to do what is absolutly necessary. I call it coming up for air.
>
> Is anyone out there who is this bad. I have no life, I just exist. If I could feel any emotions I am sure I would kill myself but I don't even feel that.
Yes, I do but it varies over time.I must say that your adhedonia sounds much worse then what I have.
I have not tried the opiods yet, as they are not legal here, but maybe I will now that you have had some luck with them.
What medications have you been Rx'ed for your condition by your doctor(s), if I may ask?
Posted by Michael on July 19, 2007, at 19:35:47
In reply to Re: VNS + Anhedonia, posted by headcheese01 on July 15, 2007, at 21:04:56
Hi,
Just wondering if you could tell us how long you've had the VNS implant?
I've heard/read - I believe - that it can take 6 months (perhaps longer?) before it helps...?
Is it possible to put into words what sort of benefit you feel that you have received thus far?
And if I may ask, have you experienced any side effects? And if so, how "bothersome" have they been?
And one more follow-up; given that you've had some benefit, (if I understand you correctly) would you say that the procedure/etc. was worth whatever risks & hassles that you've encountered/currently endure?
Just fyi, I'm dysthymic, have tried several (most?) classes of meds (ssri's to maoi to tricyclic, etc.)... my best results being with wellbutrin (400-450 mg/day) with dexedrine spansules 60 mg.
(just raised to 60 mg spansules yesterday, after having been at 40 mg - off & on the combo for several years. ... & yes, this increase has helped somewhat...)
...fatigue and concentration/focus/thinking are my major hurdles - along with a general malaise, or feeling "flu-ish" (that is to say, feeling physically ill...) when not taking any meds.
I'm interested in your feedback, because my pdoc has asked how I feel about VNS, since there is an outside chance that he may be able to get me into VNS a study locally...
This post turned out a lot longer than I anticipated, but thanks for any feedback that you - or anyone else - may be able to offer.
Thanks again,
michael
Posted by headcheese01 on July 19, 2007, at 23:54:43
In reply to Re: VNS + Anhedonia » headcheese01, posted by Babak on July 15, 2007, at 23:33:39
>>> How do you charaterize your depression.
I am interested to know because the whole nature of my depression changed four years ago.
I am not saying that before I was full of vitality but since then I have had to redefine depression and anhedonia to myself.
I have no interest in sex, food, keeping myself clean, reading or getting out of bed, working has been totally out of question. I am bed ridden by anhedonia. I never thought human spirit can go down that far. I don't even think my health carers quite appriciated the extent of my anhedonia. My mind is gradually shutting down.
The only thing which gets me kind of better for a short while is opiates.
I have managed not to get quite "hooked" but I take heroine about once a week just to be able to do what is absolutly necessary. I call it coming up for air.
Is anyone out there who is this bad. I have no life, I just exist. If I could feel any emotions I am sure I would kill myself but I don't even feel that.<<<
-----------------------------
Babak,Hmm. Hard to characterize it I think. Depends on how depressed I am on a given day. When really depressed, my head feels heavy like a cinder block, and concentration is difficult. Needless to say, I don't leave the house much on days like that. In truth, I pretty much only leave the house to do what I must, although when the weather is nice, there's a beautiful park that I like to go to to walk.
As to VNS, I was implanted in late May of 2006. At the second to lowest setting, I felt better, and had more hope than I had in 5 years. Then, upon raising it to next setting, felt all that improvement vanish within 1/2 hour. I've since been up and down the settings range; not all the way to max settings, because for me, at the higher settings, it makes me feel a bit tranquilized (which is not pleasant). I have been at a couple of settings where my improvement seemed evident to others, but I increased it anyway (like a fool), because I wondered if more would be even better. Truth is, I'm still experimenting with the settings to this day. Next pdoc appt will have him lower back to 1.0
Also, I'm thinking of starting Emsam tomorrow.
All in all, I think I've felt a little benefit from VNS; but not nearly what I'd hoped for. Still, others have had great success, and you can find their stories on the website I posted in earlier post.
Oddly, even after 14 months of VNS, I still haven't given up hope on it, because there have been periods (very short) when I've felt better (but not lately, which is why I'll try Emsam tomorrow... which scares me, to tell you the truth). I've not had much success with meds. Usually get a bunch of side effects and little to no benefit. Hardly a good bargain there.
Anyway, good luck with the VNS if you go that route.
Posted by deniseuk190466 on July 20, 2007, at 14:37:11
In reply to VNS + Anhedonia, posted by Babak on July 15, 2007, at 15:23:08
Babek,
You sound like you are in a really bad place now, not that I'm an expert but what medications have you tried over the years? Maybe somebody on this board will have some suggestions, while you are waiting for the VNS.
Denise
This is the end of the thread.
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