Labrat wrote me letter asking how my depression was doing. So, I thought that would be a good topic for those individuals who had a VNS in that had TRD.

My depression overall has been better this winter than most. I am still having up and down days. But not severe depression. I have been able to cut my Topamax out of my medicine regime. I didn't have any trouble with it. I am still taking Wellbutrin, and Seroquel at night before bedtime.

I called my medicine lady shrink to ask her about the Seroquel, as that makes one gain weight. She never did call me back. I don't like changing medicines, but I would rather have a weight neutral medicine in place of the Seroquel. There is Ability and Geodon.

They are both atypical antipsychotics/ mood stabilizers that are not supposed to cause weight gain. But, I read some people did gain weight on Geodon. On another website for Mental illness.

I do want to cut the Seroquel, and see if I'm ok doing it. But, I need to ask my medicine lady shrink that question. Maybe I could be ok not taking a mood stabilizer; I don't know. It is hard to tell if someone is bipolar when they have Borderline personality disorder. That can look like Bipolar disorder. But, mood stabilizers have been beneficial for people that have Borderline personality disorder.

Sincerely,
Bonnie

Abilify will make you gain weight also.....big time!

I have had my VNS for 2 years and over 5 months. It has my TRD under control. I still take Zoloft and Geodon. I have to take Xanax for anxiety.

I am doing great!

MY VNS was implanted for treatment resistant depression. It was implanted on June 20, 2007. I went years and years on medications and getting ECT and in and out of the hospital. I have a great psychiatrist and when VNS first received FDA approval for TRD I was the first patient he recommended it to. Although, it took a long time of battling the insurance company before I got the implant. We, are still having major issues with Cigna over paying for the implant.

When the VNS was first turned on I could see much improvement in the way I was feeling. However, over the last few months I have seen a major downward spiral in the way I am feeling. I still am on all medications and have not been able to reduce those any. I currently take Zonegran, Cymbalta, Xanax and Chloral Hydrate.

I hang on to the hope that it will get better. That truly is all that left is hope. There have not been unbearable side-effects to date. Most of them are gone with in a day or two of having the VNS amped up. Although, with this last adjustment the hoarseness seems to last a little a longer after it activates and I still get some residual coughing.

Lisa

One of two things, your VNS needs to go up or , if you have model 102, your battery is going or already is dead. I would go to your doctor right away and have him interrogate the VNS. It will tell him if it is EOS (end of service)

Keep us posted on what you find out. Mine was implanted in 2005. The only problem I have had with it was my battery going dead after 15 months. I started feeling depressed and went in to have it interrogated. It was dead.

I do have the model 102. I was in to see my psychiatrist at the end of February and he checked it and increased the stimulation. He has been very aggressive in increasing the doses on my VNS in hopes that it would get me back to feeling better. But it just doesn't seem to be doing what it first was.

I am trying hard to hang in there but getting very discouraged over everything. Everyone including me seems to be at a loss as to what to do.

Lisa

It hasn't been a year yet, don't give up yet. Mine took 15 months, some take longer. Try to be patient.

Dear HopeforChange,

I just wanted you to know that I'm rooting for you. Labrat is right, you just need more time. How long has your depression been diagnosed? Mine has been over 25 years, so I know it is going to take awhile for it to lessen.

Don't give up. Have you seen your doctor lately? How much worse are you feeling? It could be that your depression is just acting up more. At certain times of the year, does your depression get worse? I know for me, the winter is worse usually.

Are you on any medicine? It could be what I described. Anyway, I hope you are feeling better soon. I know it's hard waiting for relief. Maybe, your medicine could be tweaked some for now.

Take care, and write back. Let us know how you are feeling. :yes2:

Sincerely,
Bonnie
:hbeat: :bigarmhug:

I have been dealing with this since I was about 10 yrs old. However, did not start receiving treatment until I was in my early 20's. I am currently taking medications. My Dr. has me on Zonegran, Cymbalta, Xanax and Chloral Hydrate. As I stated I was feeling much better the first few months the VNS was on, but am now experiencing a major downward spiral. I didn't expect overnight improvement with it. However, when I was feeling better and to then be sliding back down that cliff.

I don't expect anyone to have answers. Guess I am just venting my frustrations with everything.

[COLOR=purple][SIZE=5]

Dear Hope for Change,

Just how long have you been feeling worse? Have you called your doctor and told him how you are feeling? I understand how you feel, as I have had some really depressed days too. Other times, I feel agitated, angry, grumpy and attacking. But, I would rather feel this than depressed.

Do you have any rescue medication that you can take while feeling worse? I would follow Labrat's advice as well. Anyway, rescue medicines are those you can take in addition to what you are on to help you feel better. Any person with depression etc. should have a rescue medicine if they need some extra help for awhile.

I support you, and hope you can get some relief one way or another. Keep in touch, and let us know know what occurs.

Sincerely,
Bonnie :bigarmhug:

H4C I think maybe your pdoc is adjusting you TOO quickly. If you were feeling good, then had new settings, then began a downwards spiral, it may be you need to adjust back to the previous settings.

Even thought there is no ONE definative setting for relief of depression, the one setting that works for YOU can be very easily missed by an over-aggressive physician. Lots of people do well at lower settings and for the most part from my observations, it's a very gradual easment of symptoms.

Please talk to your doctor about just lowering the settings on a trial basis. See if you don't feel a little better.

:bigarmhug:

It took 15 months for me to get to my perfect setting.

Dear Hope for Change,

I was wondering how you are feeling now? Today is May 19. Are you feeling any better, or worse?

Please write when you can. I'm hoping you are getting some relief in one form or another. :rolleyes:

Sincerely,
Bonnie

It would be nice to see how you are doing Hope For Change!