Hello. I have chronic medical resistant depression since the age of 10. I have tried ECT treatments, DBT, CBT, psychotherapy and thousands of medications. I found out that I have a chromosome deficiency and that is why meds don't work. Last hope was a VNS implant that was put in 4 years ago in CT. It never did make a difference and when I moved to MD and couldn't find Dr to monitor it, I wasent worried, forgot it was even there. But for the last 3 months I have been having serious medical issues that I believe ALL have to do with the device malfunctioning or batteries dying. I need to wear the magnet 24/7 just to function, physically. I haven't been able to work in 4 months, which was my "antidepressant". I've been bounced around from infectious disease doctors, cardiac doctors, neurologists and I can't find 1 doctor that know what a VNS is. The device is hanging on by a thread to my muscle, have barely enough energy to walk across a room, have lost 80 pounds all within the last 4 months, extreme shortness of breath, eye sight is getting worse, brain fog, light headed constantly.....this is all with the magnet on!!!
I've been seeing Doctors all affiliated with John Hopkins who just end up sending me to another doctor and on and on. The company who makes the device has been of no help at all.
I need my life back. I just want to see a doctor who will at least look at it. So frustrated. Can I be the only person in MD that has a VNS
??? What if I had to get an MRI? If anyone reading this, and thank you, knows of anyone that can help me I would be so very grateful. Since I can't work I'm spiraling down that deep dark hole and I'm scared.