I learned about VNS when a local, very well respected psychiatrist spoke on the subject at a NAMI meeting last year. I became involved with NAMI after looking for insight into my mother's mental illness.
When you think about VNS therapy, think of how a pace maker works for the heart. Instead of the heart, this pacemaker-like device is attached to the vagus nerve which leads to your brain.
VNS Therapy is a non-drug treatment option that offers a unique safety profile and mechanism of action. Approved for use in treatment-resistant epilepsy and in treatment-resistant depression, VNS Therapy delivers long-term benefits to patients who have not responded well to other treatment options.
VNS Therapy has been shown to provide significant quality of life improvements. Benefits include increased energy, improved relationships with friends and family members, and better ability to function at work and in daily activities.1 Adding VNS Therapy has been shown to succeed when other antidepressant treatments have not worked or have stopped working. The effectiveness of VNS Therapy improves over time and last long term.2
References: 1. Depression Physician's Manual. VNS Therapy� Pulse Model 102 Generator and VNS Therapy� Pulse Duo Model 102R Generator. Houston, Tex: Cyberonics, Inc.; 2005. 2 Rush AJ, Sackeim HA, Marangell LB, et al. Effects of 12 months of vagus nerve stimulation in treatment-resistant depression: a naturalistic study. Biol Psychiatry. 2005;58:355-363.
I'm wondering if it may have some potential in treating Lyme? Anyone have experience to share?
I do believe this is a recently approved treatment through the FDA and it may be covered by insurance depending on your situation.
Brandie
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
Yes, I do this type of work weekly with a CSTherapist. It is Bio-Dynamic Cranio-sacral work. The work also involves "coherence" of the heart rhythms by raising and lowering heart rate.
A simple way to describe this is to think about how Lomotil works. Lomotil (Atropine) targets the vagus nerve to slow down your digestive system so that diarrhea calms down as well.
The vagus nerve and dorsal vagal system control fight/flight responses (put VERY simply). It is more complicated than my explanation. But, you see that if you can calm your vagus nerve, or stimulate it, you can have a little more control over how your CNS reacts to certain stimuli. If you Google Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems you will get a much better description than what I can give you.
This stuff is fascinating and it has been instrumental in helping me to deal with this illness on a daily basis.
Bc
Posted by MommaK (Member # 10376) on :
Hi
Very interesting!
Lyme is definately attacking my daughters nerves. This VNS sounds better than cutting the nerve!
My dd has problems neurological and gastro, suspecting both caused by the vagus nerve. Hoping the current lyme treatment will bring remission.
At what point, or when do you suspect permanent nerve damage?
Thanks, MommaK
Posted by WillBDone (Member # 14269) on :
Thank you for your replies...It is interesting stuff. I would bet it would have some potential for improving/extending the quality of life of many people who are suffering from treatment resistant depression/seizure disorders.
MommaK...That is a good question. I'm sorry I can't answer for you. I would be interested to know if VNS would help in any way. If you speak with a neuro/psychiatrist about it, please let us know what they say.
Posted by Jellybelly (Member # 7142) on :
The vagus nerve is one of my fascinations. I actually saw the BODIES exhibit last week and one of the things I wanted to see was the vagus nerveand I did.
I think that this nerve is likely infected with these pathogens in the majority of us. It controls so much and explains so much.
Again thou, the fix would be to reduce the numbers of the pathogens infecting the nerve.
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