Monday, March 8, 2010

Roller Coaster

My last post was less than positive. The study itself shifts gears at the one year mark and it seems like either you get it - or you don't. The length of time between seeing the doctors enlongates and there isn't a lot of discussion of options.

Frankly, I was pissed.

I have plenty of feedback for the 'handlers' and we'll see if they are interested in my comments.

Along the same circuitry of depression exists anxiety and anger. Given that OCD is considered an anxiety disorder and the DBS experiments on OCD seem to plug into the same circuits makes a lot of sense. As for the anger / irritability - one has to wonder how close in the limbic system fight or flight is connected to the same areas. In my mind, I picure anger, anxiety & depression all exisiting on the same circuit board. Suffice to say, in my own experience, I've become friends with anxiety and anger.

My update consists of some more links and a VERY informative video by Dr. Mayberg. I had to download the "REAL" plug in to watch it, but its worth it.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100127/Testing-DBS-for-treating-severe-long-term-depression.aspx

http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1756-0500-3-60.pdf (more of a paper review)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100126084057.htm

http://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/depression/deep-brain-stimulation-successfully-treats-severe-depression/

and the most important one:
http://videocast.nih.gov/launch.asp?15608

I'll see if BLOG allows .rm files as videos: It tried but after 30 minutes of uploading wasn't done. Please take the time to go to the nih site and view the video.

I am doing quite well, after the aftershocks of the 1 year transistion. I am more positive about the whole DBS idea now than 3 months ago. I still contend the handling of the patients is not where it should be, but the medical science is advancing in the direction it should.

I am still aware of some 'bad' experiences occurring with others and extend my best wishes to those people and hope something can be done. I also find it fascinating that I've not heard from any Medtronic participants. The Europeans have a study where they're implanting 4 leads - and taking the time to test each and every node on each and every lead. (I would think that would be a pretty smart thing to do even if you fully believe node 2 is exactly placed where you want it).

I go for a checkup soon. I thought about skipping it - and I'll tell you why afterwards.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please do tell us why.

Your blog has been indispensable!

herb said...

“I am doing quite well, after the aftershocks of the 1 year transistion. I am more positive about the whole DBS idea now than 3 months ago. I still contend the handling of the patients is not where it should be, but the medical science is advancing in the direction it should.”


I am extremely pleased and happy for you. Does quite well me your depression has abated? Despite the study protocols and the human relationships what is of the utmost importance to me as a support person is you’re achieving a degree of wellness.



“Along the same circuitry of depression exists anxiety and anger…I've become friends with anxiety and anger.”



Both as a support person and lay-depression expert to my spouse I’ve concluded long ago that many of these mood disorders are inter-related and that one is only a medication or amplitude setting away, etc. from a change in symptoms or an additional DSM IV diagnosis or condition.

Have you previously experienced the symptoms of “anxiety and anger?” If you’ve never experienced these symptoms previously and there are no situational outside extenuating circumstances, then I would be inclined to believe there is a correlation between the therapy and these newer symptoms and something to also be addressed.


Once again I’m glad you’re doing well and I look forward to any additional insights and information you’re able to share.

Warmly,
Herb
VNSdepression.com

Denise said...

Hi,

Thanks for providing this update. As Herb says, when you say that you are doing quite well does this mean that you think that the DBS might actually be helping your depression or could it be something else?

I've been to the NIH site and I am having trouble viewing the Dr Helen Mayberg talk but I will keep trying.


Denise

Anonymous said...

TRY THIS: http://videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=15724

herb said...

Thank you for the heads up on the link to Dr. Mayberg's lecture.

Warmly,
Herb
VNSdepression.com

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