new member ann.odlaw -VNS--denied; ECT--cognitive side effects; What next?
 

copied from -New Member Introductions forum a poll is attached on that forum.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ed=1#post84719

her post-

[Hi--I've been in psychotherapy for several years, and I've been on over 20different medications and combinations--including SSRIs, lithium, trycylics, anti-anxiety. My pdoctor has been trying to get my insurance company to pre-authorize me for VNS therapy, but they will not even consider it unless I try electroshock therapy and fail it. Well, I just finished 12 ECT treatments...

The wonderful news is that I'm no longer depressed; life is better than it has been in years. I am mostly free of the hopelessness, misery, and despair of chronic depression.

The distrubing news is that the side effects are extremely disconcerting. I cannot remember recent events or recognize friends and coworkers. Plus ECT treatment only lasts short-term. My doctor wants me to start maintenance ETC soon so that I don't loose the short-term benefit of ETC and have to repeat the entire series again. I really don't want to do this and aggravate my current memory loss/amnesia. It is very unnerving to not recognize people I work with or how to do my job. Plus I would have to take another medical leave.

My company nurse is suggesting that I extend my short-term leave of absence, which I really don't want to do either. She said that it's also possible I may need to take a long-term leave if my memory and cognitive skills don't return.

What do you think the possibility is that my insurance company would pre-authorize me for VNS, even though I didn't fail ETC?

Thank you for letting me share.]

Is the insurance company also your work comp company. IF you leave work because of your illness and your illness is related to your work, you could apply for work comp, and have another insurance company take a look at what you need.
Usually, if you can convince an insurance company of the economic gain by providing treatment, it will jump at the chance. Any chance of renting a unit?