Has anyone here heard of or had experience with the VNS device? (Vagal Nerve Stimulator?)

It is kind of like a pacemaker which gives an electrical stimulus to the vagus nerve (large nerve exiting from the brain) for 30 seconds every 5 minutes- and has been shown to improve depression symptoms over the long term, meaning 6 months to a year. It has been used for years to treat epilepsy, but has only been approved for treating depression for about 8 months. It is only approved for Treatment Resistant Depression- patients who have failed multiple courses of different medications.

Well, my psych thought i was an ideal candidate for this, and after much discussion back and forth I finally agreed. I had the surgery 2 !/2 weeks ago, which is an outpatient procedure involving 2 incisions, one on the upper chest and one on the neck (ouch!). My device was turned on 5 days ago and despite the dire warning of side effects (pulling sensation in the neck, coughing, hoarseness) I am not even aware that it is discharging every 5 minutes. My doc says I am really lucky as far as that is concerned. Now I just have to wait- and wait- to see if it helps. It's not meant to replace other medications and treatments, just supplement them.

I was wondering if anybody else out there has had VNS treatment or is comtemplating it. I'd love to hear from you. Otherwise, I'll keep you posted on how this thing is working. By the way, I had hoped that because i am now bionic I could change the channels on the TV without the remote or turn on the microwave from across the room. It doesn't work.

Do a search on these forums for VNS (Vegas Nerve Stimulator) You will come up with some answers to your questions.


Take care and best wishes.

Oh Babsro,
This is the first time I have heard of a real, live person who has had this device put in! My Dr tried and tried to get my insurance to pay for this operation, went thru the appeals and was finally turned down because they said it was "experimental" for TRD. If I can ask, how did you get your insurance to pay for this? Please tell us more about this, of you can....

I have heard of it but do not personally know anyone who has had the implant done. It's good you were able to get one. If you are medication resistant and need relief, then anything is worth a try. I hope you have good luck with it. I do understand that this takes several months to really tell if it is working for you. Just be patient and be happy.

I've had the VNS for about 3 months now and hardly notice it except for some occasional tightness in my throat when it goes off and some effect it's had on my appetite- I've lost about 10 pounds. It does take 6-12 months to start to have any effect on depression symptoms I'm told, so I'm just trying to be patient about that. My situation regarding reimbursement was kind of unusual- I am on disability so my medical coverage is medicare. Unlike with private insurance companies that require precertification, as in your case, I went into this being told by my doctors and Cyberonics (the company that makes the device) that it was very, very likely that Medicare would cover the procedure, but not guaranteed. I took the risk and thankfully it was paid for. Just 3 weeks later medicare began reviewing it's opinion on the matter and I think this week is due to make a ruling as to whether they will cover VNS for anybody, under any cirucumstance. This is crucial, because as medicare goes, so often go the private insurance companies.

I hope the ruling goes in our favor because VNS is at the moment the only option for those of us with TRD and we should be allowed access to it. True, it's new and invasive, but I believe it works. I wish you the best of luck and I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing with it.

Babsro

So you all know, the search results link is fixed and the results for the VNS is working fine now on the forums.

[quote name='babsro' post='146688' date='Sep 4 2006, 08:07 AM']y.[/quote]

I went into this being told by my doctors and Cyberonics (the company that makes the device) that it was very, very likely that Medicare would cover the procedure, but not guaranteed. I took the risk and thankfully it was paid for. Just 3 weeks later medicare began reviewing it's opinion on the matter and I think this week is due to make a ruling as to whether they will cover VNS for anybody, under any cirucumstance. This is crucial, because as medicare goes, so often go the private insurance companies.

I hope the ruling goes in our favor because VNS is at the moment the only option for those of us with TRD and we should be allowed access to it. True, it's new and invasive, but I believe it works. I wish you the best of luck and I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing with it.

Babsro
[/quote]

Anyone know of any follow up information on whether Medicare has decided to approve paying for the VNS procedure?

How much does the procedure cost if one were to pay for it themselves?

What kind of follow up is necessary after having the procedure? For instance, does this device run on batteries for need other adjustments? Any additional info would be appreciated.

cozam[/size]

Dear Cozam,

The important date to answer your question is this Wednesday, February 7, 2007.

CMS (Medicare) will render their proposed policy determination as it relates to VNS Therapy for TRD.

Check the CMS (Medicare) website for the decision.

As for information relating to the VNS Therapy may I suggest your logging on to VNSdepression.com?