A person who contacted me has this link posted on their facebook. Absolutely interesting article. (It is a pay per view research paper but the first 2 pages are worthwhile). This isn't to try and scare anyone away from the procedure but to highlight the fact that the research going on is dealing with some of the worst depression imaginable and there are risks.
As a long time advocate of the research protocol mandating that a person be assigned to a counselor or therapist, I believe Dr. Gilbert has made the point. My opinion, for what it is worth, is that a therapist (who may be blind to whether the person is turned on or not) should check in with patients for the first few weeks after every visit for a "tune-up". And of course, be available whenever the person needs someone to talk with.
As a general statement, we don't like socializing much and definitely don't like talking about how we feel if the gizmo doesn't seem to be working. But ethically, I would think the IRBs should require it. (And not just for us depressed, but probably for all experimental DBS).
As for me..... nothing really new to report. What I've discovered in myself though is much less interest in following the subject. It's almost like a denial reflex that I should stay abreast of all the research on DBS. Not reading about it makes it not real for me, so to speak. I'm overall pleased with the continuing research into TRD and depression in general. Some of the outcomes of the latest TMS are FASCINATING to say the least, but I find myself less "glued" to the Internet over depression. Denial is a wonderful thing.
Best to all. Wish NM would contact me.
4 comments:
I actually enjoyed reading through this posting.Many thanks.
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I would be very grateful if you could talk to me about your experience. I am currently trying to figure out a way to get in on a study or go overseas for the procedure.
I only made it to the title page of the article. Wow.
As a fellow lab rat, I appreciate the link. As an indigent lab rat, I cannot afford to read the article. No matter, I think your comments/insight about the article are more beneficial to me, anyway. Sweet grapes.
I believe I met your "handler," as you like to call him/her. I am both a lab rat and a study whore. I am psyche testing's bitch. As such, I have visited different venues in the country seeking a fix. (Fix: relief from this unrelenting illness.) My site-seeking drew me to where your handler--I believe--is currently sharing his/her wisdom.
Occasionally, I visit your site, unwilling to "subscribe" to it, my way of sharing your denial. If I don't subscribe, then I don't "need" to, right?
And, until very recently, I could not understand how you could walk away from its dark allure. Now, having escaped this illness' Dachau, I, too, don't want to look over my shoulder for fear I will turn to salt. I even write this with trepidation. And, there is no guarantee I will hit the PUBLISH button.
Call it denial. Call it survival. Call it whatever you will. I am just glad that your "need" to return here has mitigated. That can only mean good things for you. Or, at least I tell myself that; I kid myself with that; and, focus on that.
Continued success to you. Or rather, continued not-failure.
Be well. Or, be as well as you can be.
Thank you fellow lab-rat. I can share a little more about the article if you contact me via email instead of public forum. The author cares deeply about 'us' and I hope his published concerns continue to require the best test environments for us lab-rats.
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