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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by greywolf on October 14, 2008, at 19:32:13
Had my surgery this morning. Went a little longer than expected--about 3 hours. Now I have 2 nice physical scars as evidence of the mental ones.
Overall, the experience wasn't bad. The worst pain was actually introduction of the anesthesia, but that only lasted a few seconds. For those of you with interest in the procedure, my understanding is that the incision in my chest was made to introduce a pace-maker-sized electronic stimulator through the chest muscle up under the collar bone. Then electrical leads were run up to the vagus nerve on the left side of the neck, where another incision was made in order to get access to the nerve so that the leads could be coiled around it. Then subcutaneous stitching, steristripping, and voila!, good as new.
Got home a few hours ago, and I'm feeling pretty good. The painkillers administered at the hospital wore off, so I'm on Darvocet which, for all its painkilling rep, doesn't seem to be doing anything for me. Pain is moderate at both incision sites, but different. Feels like a bad pulled muscle in the neck, while the chest incision burns.
All-in-all, a tolerable procedure thus far. I'm pretty hoarse, which is to be expected after intubation. Will likely wear off in a few days (just in time for it to come back when my doctor turns the unit back on).
To everyone here at Babble who wrote to say they care, thank you. Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated. I will try to keep my experience current on Babble so that others thinking of the same option (if you can convince your insurance carrier to cover it) have some real-life knowledge to consider.
Greywolf
Posted by twinleaf on October 14, 2008, at 20:03:25
In reply to VNS surgery survived; all is well, posted by greywolf on October 14, 2008, at 19:32:13
Thank you for letting us know. I'm very glad you came through it uneventfully. Speaking from a feminine viewpoint, where exactly are the incisions- how high up on the chest, and how large/noticeable in the neck?I hope everything continues to go well. II think I'm speaking for lots of people when I say how appreciative we are of hearing the details.
Good luck!
Posted by llurpsienoodle on October 14, 2008, at 20:21:20
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well, posted by twinleaf on October 14, 2008, at 20:03:25
Hey GW,
Thank you so much for your journal updates about this process. It sounds like you are feeling well enough to reflect back and make sense out of the operation, which is GREAT!Of course, I'm sorry that you have suffered for so long, but I want you to realize that your story will be a powerful narrative about VNS procedures and recovery. I wish you ALL the best, and hope that you get the 110% relief that you deserve. I hope that you will feel better as you give others hope in their own struggles.
Keep in touch--
-Ll
Posted by greywolf on October 14, 2008, at 21:03:14
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well, posted by twinleaf on October 14, 2008, at 20:03:25
>
> Thank you for letting us know. I'm very glad you came through it uneventfully. Speaking from a feminine viewpoint, where exactly are the incisions- how high up on the chest, and how large/noticeable in the neck?
>
> I hope everything continues to go well. II think I'm speaking for lots of people when I say how appreciative we are of hearing the details.
>
> Good luck!I haven't had the bandages off yet (and won't for another 2 days), but the chest incision appears to be lateral, placed about one inch below the clavicle, and about 3 inches in length. The neck incision varies from what I've been told, because the surgeon looks to "hide" it in a crease about a thrid of the way up the neck. The neck incision is slightly shorter than the chest. Right now I'm experiencing some numbness on the left side of the neck, so I'll be making a call to the doctor in the morning.
Thanks for the support.
Greywolf
Posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2008, at 23:33:28
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well » twinleaf, posted by greywolf on October 14, 2008, at 21:03:14
Greywolf so glad to hear it went well now do you have to continue to take meds? If so when would you start? So your're calling the doc due to the numbness in your neck? I hope it's okay and can you feel the wires in your chest or too numbed up yet? Love Hugs Phillipa
Posted by JESSsMom on October 15, 2008, at 6:39:29
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well » greywolf, posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2008, at 23:33:28
Very glad to hear you are OK after the surgery, that pain was mostly mininimal, and wishing you a good recovery. Mostly hoping that you get results! You are brave.
Posted by greywolf on October 15, 2008, at 6:44:23
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well, posted by twinleaf on October 14, 2008, at 20:03:25
>
> Thank you for letting us know. I'm very glad you came through it uneventfully. Speaking from a feminine viewpoint, where exactly are the incisions- how high up on the chest, and how large/noticeable in the neck?
>
> I hope everything continues to go well. II think I'm speaking for lots of people when I say how appreciative we are of hearing the details.
>
> Good luck!TwinLeaf,
I just read in the Cyberonics literature that the pacemaker can be placed under the armpit, so that might help from the feminine perspective.
Greywolf
Posted by greywolf on October 15, 2008, at 6:52:26
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well » greywolf, posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2008, at 23:33:28
> Greywolf so glad to hear it went well now do you have to continue to take meds? If so when would you start? So your're calling the doc due to the numbness in your neck? I hope it's okay and can you feel the wires in your chest or too numbed up yet? Love Hugs Phillipa
Thanks, Phillipaa
Yes, I do have to continue to take meds. The stimulator unit (the size of a pacemaker) will not be turned on for 2 weeks. From that point it will take months to fine tune the electronic signal using a computer at my psychiatrist's office.
During this time, I will continue taking my meds, then taper off as the VNS therapy begins to take hold. At least that's the plan.
I cannot feel the wires in my chest, though it may be too early to tell since I'm still bandaged. I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to feel the wiring itself, though I probably will feel the signal.
Thanks for the hugs.
Greywolf
Posted by twinleaf on October 15, 2008, at 16:13:35
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well » twinleaf, posted by greywolf on October 15, 2008, at 6:44:23
Thanks! That's very good to know. I hope all continues to go smoothly.
Posted by Phillipa on October 15, 2008, at 19:36:16
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well » Phillipa, posted by greywolf on October 15, 2008, at 6:52:26
Greywolf forget where you had the proceedure done? Insurance cover it? And so after the devise turned on no more meds? Fantastic. Maybe for someone like me it would work? You know me what do you feel about that and the hug was nothing. Another Hug and Love Phillipa
Posted by greywolf on October 15, 2008, at 20:13:41
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well » greywolf, posted by Phillipa on October 15, 2008, at 19:36:16
> Greywolf forget where you had the proceedure done? Insurance cover it? And so after the devise turned on no more meds? Fantastic. Maybe for someone like me it would work? You know me what do you feel about that and the hug was nothing. Another Hug and Love Phillipa
The procedure was done on an outpatient basis in a hospital. I had to get insurance approval because it is an expensive proposition, and had to go through a denial and appeals process.
It's not so simple as simply turning the device on and no more meds. I wish it were. With some people that have been studied, they were able to eventually live without meds. Others used fewer and lower dose meds. For some it didn't work at all.
I won't know until I try it. All I know for sure is that the only other option left to me was ECT, which I can't go through and still keep my job (and, from reports, full memories). After a couple of decades of serious depression and course after course of medications and their side effects, I am desparate for anything that may be effective and allow me to eliminate or reduce the meds. It's the only thing that will allow me to get back on course with treatment of a severe OCD problem. The depression keeps putting me off track with my treatment of that disorder, which could end up disabling me if I don't get some serious work done on the OCD. I've been in intensive CBT treatment for the past almost 3 years, and after making some progress, a long-term return to deep depression has slammed the door shut on further progress in CBT with a very good specialist.
So, you can see that I have a lot riding on VNS. Will it work? Who knows? I'm very seriously praying that it does (which is a story in itself given that several of my OCD behaviors involve prayer) because I feel like a small Mack truck hit me yesterday.
Thanks again for your kindness.
Greywolf
Posted by Phillipa on October 15, 2008, at 20:56:37
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well, posted by greywolf on October 15, 2008, at 20:13:41
Greywolf well guess it's out for me as have Disability medicaire it sure wouldn't pay for such an expensive proceedure. Luvox kind of helped the OCD for me. Used to count a lot not really only for instance have to splach water on face 12 times . Twelve who knows they say it helps relieve anxiety???? Ocd that is. Best wishes for you. You sure have been through a lot. Love Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on October 16, 2008, at 11:23:24
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well, posted by greywolf on October 15, 2008, at 20:13:41
I would far rather have a VNS implant than ECT. ECT is bruital archaic procedure which is poorly understood and causes massive colateral dammage.
VNS has a specific target. You are not throwing massive amounts of electricity througout the entire brain just to affect one brain region.
Linkadge
Posted by Jeroen on October 20, 2008, at 14:39:44
In reply to VNS surgery survived; all is well, posted by greywolf on October 14, 2008, at 19:32:13
hi, i dont know you, but good to hear all is well with you :)
Posted by greywolf on October 20, 2008, at 17:37:57
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well, posted by Jeroen on October 20, 2008, at 14:39:44
Thanks.
The worst part is mostly over. The incisions are still painful, but it's less discomfort than many SEs I've experienced with meds. I'm just wiped out tired, but can't sleep.
Greywolf
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2008, at 20:14:28
In reply to Re: VNS surgery survived; all is well » Jeroen, posted by greywolf on October 20, 2008, at 17:37:57
Greywolf sorry can't take anything for sleep? Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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