Have you had DBS implants for Depression?

[Zoomclub]

For anyone, anywhere in the world, who's actually had the procedure
already, thought it might be a good starting point to ask you to share
your experiences so far.

Let us know the trials you're involved in, how the procedure itself
went, and how things are now progressing with having your stimulator
settings adjusted to try and find the optimum settings for your own
depression.

Any information will be helpful I'm sure - especially from those
who've had the stimulation working for sometime now - To give us
relative newbies some kinda insight into what can happen - positively
- or negatively!

Thanks

Jon

[278-005]

Hi,
I'm not sure how all this works - I presumed it would be a more of a
discussion board - I feel like I'm just responding to the email. Oh
well, I'll figure it out in time.

I was implanted Dec of 2008. I am part of St. Jude's study. I know I
have been on for 5 months (the 1st 6 months are blind). I
occasionally blog at 278-005.blogspot.com. It can fill in any
details. I am feeling better than a year ago - but it is hard to
quantify. My moods do seem to be stabilizing but my fatigue continues
on. And it's not unlike other periods I have had in my life where
some of the depression had lifted. It's a wait and see.

One of the original Canadians follows the blog tho doesn't communicate
much. He has posted on the blog that it took him a really really long
time to feel any different. I haven't heard from him lately.
One of the early Americans from the Dallas area follows the blog and
also had communicated early on - in complete remission. She hasn't
responded since - I suspect her handlers request she not be too
vocal. (Total guess on my part).
One other implantee and I talk occasionally. He follows the blog and
may come join this. It will depend on how he feels.
One "lady in waiting" (that sounds good) has kept in fairly regular
contact. She is waiting for the St. Jude's study to reach its next
phase where they will implant 200 in the US. Her fingers are crossed
as being accepted.
And I have exchanged email with one who was about to have it - but
after sending him 2 follow up emails, he has never replied. I don't
like bugging him and hope all is well.

The lady in waiting and I have discussed a Treatment Resistant
discussion group - for people who have tried everything (and may or
may not be candidates for DBS). We've found we have more in common
than the depression communities who have people who may have suffered
a couple months or even couple years. Yes, I feel for them, but
frankly, try losing marriages, families, careers & friends over the
course of 10 years, and your view is a little different.

There seems to be a peteboot email that I tried to correspond with as
well.

Any help in how to get this going in the manner you want will be
appreciated.

278-005

[Rich]

I had my surgery on June 12th, 2008. I was the second person to be
implanted in the US. I am 5 months past the original 12 month study.
Phase 2 of the study involves visits every 6 months for 4 years. My
first 6 month follow-up is in 17 days.

I awoke from the surgery depression free, not unlike some Parkinson
patients who have the device implanted and awake symptom free. Since
my 6th month appointment things started going downhill. I've had some
extreme emotional side effects (rage, mainia etc.) with every
programming change. I had a suicide attempt on August 4th. On october
12th I turned the device off and have not had a suicidal thought
since. I'm told I am extremely sensitive to the device (thank you Dr.
Insight). Since I am in phase 2 and only going in every 6 months, I am
not very hopeful that the device will work out for me.

I am thankful that there are others like me out there. I have been
searching and was in the process of creating my own web site when I
found this board and 05's blog.

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