This is not RSD related but I was excited about this and wanted to share it with you guys.

About 1 and 1/2 months ago the VNS company and my Dr. filled out the paperwork to get a Vegal Nerve Stimulator approved for my depression. I always told you guys that I give new meaning to the word depression. I never exegerated about that. I have been in councelling for 9 years to deal with this.

For 2 years my Dr. had told me as soon as it was approved for depression by the FDA we would go after it. IT was approved in July of last year but I just found this out about 2 months ago. We thought it would take at least a year to get it approved but my Dr. wrote a very good letter telling of what I have been through and how I kept up with my councelling appts. the whole time.
I was so excited when Kathy from the company called me today to tell me that it was approved and I have an appt. with the Surgeon on March 15th.

After having it implanted, it will take several months for me to heal even though it is just a one day surgery and then it will take several months to get it ajusted to where it is helping me.

I know there is always a possibility that it won't do anything for me but I have faith that it will.

I just wanted to share this good news with you. I'm on cloud 9 about this one.

Ada

Attachment 818 doing the happy dance for you ada.

i know from all your posts about this how much you want this.. i'm very happy for you. i will keep you in my prayers and that this gives you the relief from the depression you so deserve.

congrats.

I like your little guy dancing. He dances better then I do. LOL

I was happy about this until I thought of Bill this evening and I have been crying ever since. I keep thinking why couldn't this have happened long before now. After me being sick for so long, all I could think of the last year was why I couldn't get better so we could get back to some sort of normalcy in our life.

I got sick 15 years after we got married so I was sick for 19 years of our marriage. I kept thinking how much I wanted to do some of the things we had done in those first years and even some of the last until I got the RSD and TOS. That ruined my life. The depression just multiplied after I got those two things.

Now it makes me ask the question what the purpose is for this and what's next for me.

Thanks again for the support.

Ada

grandson's. handsome fun loving grandchildren. to be able to carry on and have a life that your dear bill wanted you to have.

God really does work in mysterous ways. after bill passed you found the inner courage to seek out more information. to now go forward with dbs surgery.

bill will always be with you and with those whose lives he touched. he is with all of us because you keep sharing him.

grieve that bill won't be here physically to share this with you, but know that he is rejoycing and smiling as big as all get out at you this very moment.

i am so proud of your courage ada. you ask what next? isn't that the exciting part? new hope.

i and the rest of the forum are here for you. each and every step of the way.

Hi Ada (dreambeliever128),

I happened upon your posting and I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you good luck and wellness with your VNS Therapy for TRD.

I’d be interested in and so would others in following your experiences with the therapy for Depression as there are so few patients and the fact that CMS (Medicare) has put a major damper on the therapy.

My spouse was one of the earliest study subjects (D-01 study) and she has been doing remarkably well.

Once again, I wish you wellness.

Best Of Luck On Your Surgery. Prayers Coming Your Way. Let Us Know How You Make Out. Depression Is Such A Part Of This Disease. And This Sounds Like It Is A Good And Well Thought Out Decision For You. Joan

Herb, I just wanted to say hi. I just saw this post today.

I wanted to tell you that I go to the Surgeon on the 14th of this month to see him and as far as I know I am good to go. My PCP will take care of setting it after it is installed. He has been councelling me for 8 years and since he has they are going to let him do the fun part.

They sent me a booklet last week of exactly how they install it and what goes on afterward. I gave it to my PCP so he could read it. He is more excited then I am. I'm just getting nervous about it.

I wanted to say also that I have an address here that you can write to and give a statement on why you think Medicare should pay for the VNS. My insurance jumped right on it but I think they are just tired of me getting the government on them all of the time. I have had the Gov and Senator of CO on their buts and the last time was Chaney. He went after them, so they are just fed up with me. LOL

The address is
Attn: Beverly A. Lofton, MHA
REF: NCA for Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Resistant Depression
{CAG-00313R}
C1-09-06
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Md.21244

For the whole month of March they are taking letters from people who believe that Medicare should pay for this so anyone who is dealing with depression that meds won't help can write and tell their story and tell why this should be paid for by Medicare.

I am the first in CO. as far as I have been told has been ok'd for it for depression. I am going to write a letter though to help with fighting for it.

I thought this might be a way for you to help your spouse get it paid for by Medicare. If we don't write, we don't fight.

Courious, this info is for you also. thanks for the kind words and please check into it if you are interested in getting it.

Also here is a toll free no of the VNS company. If you ask for a lady named Kathy, she helped me get mine ok'd through the insurance.

That no. is 1-800-332-1375.

I hope no one thinks this is a sales pitch but I honestly do think this is an important issue for anyone dealing with Depression so deep that meds don't do anything for it.

Thanks,
Ada

i am so happy to see that you are approved, and ready to go.....i know how depression has had a hold on you for so long......

this is a step in the right direction..........so hopefully your future looks much brighter..

good to talk with you the other day........

Dear Ada,

Thanks for supplying the information but apparently you misread my statement as my posting has been edited.

My spouse is one of the earliest recipients of the VNS Therapy for TRD. She has been implanted approximately 7 ½ years.

I replied to you in a private message sharing resources to information which may be beneficial for your purposes. It will lead you to other patients and prospective patients sharing their experiences and knowledge.

You are not the first Colorado patient for the VNS Therapy for TRD.

Our website is a repository of information I have garnered through the years relating to the VNS Therapy and it is a means to share the information and my commentary, uncensored, unedited and undeleted and also offers suggestions to the prospective patient to consider and discuss with one’s attending surgeon and physician before and after the surgery.

If you follow the resources I’ve supplied you’ll also find my many letters not only to the CMS (Medicare) but my advocacy and pro-activism and positions with the FDA, APA, news reporters and others as it relates to this particular therapy option.

I endorse being educated as much as is reasonably possible and I encourage hope and persistence.

Hopefully you’ll quickly achieve the wellness that you and others so desperately seek.