The Patients Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
INTRODUCTION
Everybody has a story. My story is the one I know best and can write about. It is not a memoir of chemical dependency or self-abuse. Those subjects have been written about many times. This is a story of my winning battle against depression and the vagus nerve stimulation treatment that saved my life by bringing me Out of the Black Hole. And, this is the first book to be published about winning the battle with a medical implant procedure called VNS Therapy?.
Personally, I don't believe the stigma associated with depression has changed one bit in the past century, so I was apprehensive about sharing my story. After all, I had spent the majority of my life hiding my depression from family, friends, and business associates--and now I was writing a tell-all book.
I wrote the main part of this book as if I were having a conversation with my closest friend who was looking for guidance with his or her debilitating chronic depression. I discuss the misery I experienced, the seemingly unending search for answers, the vagus nerve implant procedure itself, and my subsequent recovery from the grip of depression. The last part, the appendices, contains technical information about depression; the VNS Therapy System?; and Cyberonics, the manufacturer of the vagus nerve stimulator.
I hope my journey and the treatment I chose helps readers with their depression treatment plans; especially when they consider whether or not to undergo vagus nerve stimulation therapy. When I decided to participate in the investigational trial there wasn't any information available to me. I just signed an eleven-page consent agreement and hoped for the best.
On June 15, 2004, the FDA's Medical Device Advisory Panel recommended approval of vagus nerve stimulation as an adjunctive long-term treatment for chronic depression. Cyberonics, the manufacturer of the VNS Therapy System?, is in the process of providing the FDA additional information required for the FDA to render a final decision consistent with the Panel's recommendation. Currently VNS Therapy for the treatment of chronic depression is available in Canada and Europe.
I also wrote Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression for the loved ones of people who suffer from depression. When a patient reaches the severe, chronic level of this disease, often it is their family members who are making the medical decisions. At the other extreme, the family members may be in the dark about what is going on between the doctor and the patient, or they don't trust the information that they're receiving from their loved ones. One thing is for certain, the lack of knowledge about this disease and not knowing the best way to help and interact with the suffering loved one complicates everything.
.
I have been fortunate throughout my life because I have always had access to the best medical care available (for any illness), and I have a close and supportive family. I don't know how people survive severe depression if they don't have access to good doctors, the latest pharmaceutical drugs, psychologists, psychiatrists, and a strong support group. Many depressed patients have none of the above, yet they still endure. Their stories, in many ways, are more remarkable than mine.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton wrote a book titledIt Takes a Village. It's about how we can shape our society into the kind of village that enables children to grow into able, caring, resilient adults; physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. If my family wrote a similar book about the past ten years of my life, it would be titled It Took Heaven and Earth. So, I've also written this book for them. Let's get started.
Visit www.VagusNerveStimulator.com for more information on the book.
Charles Donovan was a patient in the clinical trial for the investigation of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic depression.
Latest News
Treasurys rally on economic weakness CNNMoney.com - At nearly a year in duration, the current recession is one of the longest downturns since the Great Depression. Adding to the grim picture: a pair of ... Government bond yields hit fresh lows |
Six Sigma Training Gains Popularity as Depression Looms MarketWatch - Setter adds, "Many leading companies are well aware of these issues, but not every company failed during The Great Depression. If a consumer has less money ... |
Depression Leads to Internal Body Fat in 70-Somethings, Study Suggests Wall Street Journal - People with depression were twice as likely as others to gain visceral fat -- the kind that surrounds internal organs and often shows up as belly fat. ... |
 ABC News | Bernanke says crisis 'no comparison' to Great Depression AFP - "Well, you hear a lot of loose talk, but let me just ... say, as a scholar of the Great Depression -- and I've written books about the Depression and been ... Financial Meltdown Could Require Use of Depression-Era Rule No comparison between current crisis and 1930s: Bernanke Bush Recounts an ‘Uh-Oh Moment’ |
 NECN | Now ward off depression Economic Times, India - ... using both monetary and fiscal levers to kick-start faltering economies. The big question is will it ensure the recession does not become a depression. Video: Money Minute: Recession, Paulson, Oil The Longest Recession Since … US entered recession December 2007, panel says |
New Online Tool May Help Predict Depression Inventorspot - Researchers at University College London (UCL) have developed an online tool that may help predict the risk of someone suffering from depression in the ... New Online Test For Depression Former Judge, London Law Professor Hugh Laddie Dies at 62 |
Depression linked to low bone density Cincinnati.com, OH - By Peggy O’Farrell • pofarrell@enquirer.com • December 1, 2008 Depression and anxiety in their teen years could put girls at risk for brittle bones later in ... Alcoholism Eats At Young Men's Bones |
Nearly 5% of US population suffers from persistent depression or ... UC Los Angeles, CA - Though effective treatments are available for individuals suffering from chronic depression and anxiety, very little is known about how often these ... Kids IQs linked to mental disorders |
Sean Snaith: Could be worst recession since Great Depression Tampabay.com, FL - "It's no Great Depression,'' Snaith said, "but it certainly has the chance to be the worst recession since then.'' • Expect four consecutive quarters of ... |
Don’s seeking to lift the burden of depression Great Lakes Advocate, Australia - WHILE fighting his own battle with depression Don Craig soon realised the need for a local support group for all sufferers. “It doesn’t discriminate – men, ... |
Resources
-
Mental Health Support. Treatment For Depression, Anxiety and Stress with
Zen.
Treatment and support for your Depression, anxiety, and stress. People suffering from Depression, anxiety and stress have been fed 4 big myths by experts, doctors and media. This Zen lesson gives you a new approach to improving your mental health.
-
Conquering Stress
Conquer Stress, Depression & Anxiety Permanently, Without Drugs!
-
WordMedicine.com.
How To Stop Depression And Anxiety In 6 Minutes Flat.
-
Defeat Depression Today
Simple Four Steps to Empower You In All Areas of Your Life.
-
Huband's Guide to Understanding Codependency and Depression
A guide for partners of codependents.
-
End Depression Now
End Depression now, an effective and quick way to end Depression.
-
Self Help Depression With Transformation Skills
Explains how Transformation Skills can be used to self help Depression and how you can learn transformation skill.
-
Anxiety, Stress & Depression Products.
3 products and growing on Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Depression Relief from a Former Patient.
-
Insomnia Remedies - Depression and sleep disorders in the elderly - Pernicious anemia sleep problems
Offering the complete health guide to self healing, HomeMadeMedicine.com shows you how to treat any disease, with herbs, herbal therapy, home remedies to better your sexual health. Womens health, man health, children health.
-
Home
Discover Strategies For Overcoming Manic Depression Without Medication!