VNS the Vagus Nerve Stimulator
We read this article on VNS, the vegus nerve stimulator, with much interest in The Washington Post today. VNS is a new medical device that is being used to treat depression in hard to treat patients. This implanted electrical device attaches to the vagus nerve which affects the release of brain chemicals using an electrical pulse.
The article was interesting and spoke about two different patient outcomes. One was good and one was bad. As we read the article however, we became increasingly concerned that adoption of this is a treatment should absolutely not be rushed. We feel that there are natural therapeutic ways to effectively treat depression that are not intrusive nor invasive.
If you are suffering from depression we strongly recommend that you preview our video on our website at http://www.burtongoldberg.com/depression.html. In this free 7 minute video, you will learn about some of the natural and effective ways that depression can be treated. VNS may still be an option for you personally at some point in the future, but only after exhaustive use of other alternatives including natural ones and additional conventional options.
1 Comments:
Dear Mr. Goldberg,
I’ve read your blog comments as it relates to the VNS Therapy for TRD (Treatment Resistant Depression) and quite frankly I am very much opposed to your cursory thoughts and views. The reasons being I do not believe you have much understanding as it relates to MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and long-term Treatment Resistant Depression and the alternative and/or adjunctive potential benefits of this new treatment option.
I do not believe the reading of a single article especially from my knowledge of the individuals who were interviewed and indicated the reporter was specifically digging for only negative information and was not seeking an unbiased reporting. Add to the fact that the treatment is FDA approved and the study subjects who participated were “the worst of the worst.” By the way, the device works on the “vagus” nerve.
I’ll also add to the fact that my spouse suffered from severe depression for some 37 years and after having tried numerous therapies and combinations of therapies including holistic and orthomolecular approaches finally has obtained a reasonable degree of efficacy and long-term remission through the use of the VNS Therapy.
Contrary to your book title “Curing Depression” my long time research and knowledge indicates to me there is no cure for severe depression at this time and the best one can hope to achieve is stability, control and long-term remission. So while I do not discourage or dismiss anyone from trying the least invasive approaches to achieve wellness I do advocate first and foremost for education to make informed and un-coerced medical decisions along with encouraging hope and persistence as well as advocating for new and alternative and/or adjunctive treatment options. As we all know the placebo effect too is just as beneficial to the patient, non-invasive and probably would offer even less cost to the patient than even your treatment offerings.
So contrary to your knowledge, the VNS Therapy is an FDA approved treatment option and does not need “adoption,” unlike some of your offerings which are not scientifically scrutinized or put to double-blind testing and peer review.
Warmly,
Herb
VNSdepression.com
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