Recently my doctor recommended a vagus nerve
stimulation procedure to reverse depression. Does this work? Part 2
While the procedure is
easy to perform, it does have side effects that range from neck pain, infection, damage to the vague nerve, difficulty breathing, nausea
and slowing of heart rate. In rare cases, one may develop vocal cord paralysis,
voice changes, persistent cough and throat pain. While most side effects are tolerable, many people find
the side effects annoying in the long run. However, of more concern is that in
a few cases, vagal nerve stimulation may also lead to worsening of depression,
suicidal thoughts and anxiety.
The surgery for implantation of the device is done as an outpatient
and done under local anesthesia. After implantation, the device is programmed
to deliver electrical impulses at various frequencies. Most people are started
at low electrical current, which is gradually increased to get the desired
result. Each stimulation lasts 30 seconds and occurs every 5 minutes. During
this period, the side effects are most common. All individuals are given a
small hand-held magnet to control the device. The machine has to be turned off
while eating or speaking.
The results of vagus
nerve stimulation are not immediate and often take months before the desired
electrical impulse is obtained. As soon as the stimulation stopped, the depressive symptoms return. The decision to undergo vagal nerve
stimulation is difficult. The procedure is very costly and there is no
guarantee it will work. So before you decide to get the procedure, speak to
people who have had it done. Remember even after vagal stimulation, you may
still need to take anti depressant
medications and continue with
psychotherapy.
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