Thread : Considering DBS for Dystonia, have also had depression due to pain
Subject
Re: Considering DBS for Dystonia, have also had depression due to pain
Date
31 October 2003
Posted by
Richard Kramer
Roberta,
The ravings of this madwoman (you) makes great sense. It also shows that you are one of those rare people who have bridged the gap between patient and professional. Your words ring true, as if you had the disease and were speaking as a patient. You must be an excellent listener. If I gush anymore you might get embarrassed.
Yes, I also think the depression is masked by the intense symptoms and daily struggle to adjust to the disease and negotiate the world. After DBS you are left with the aftermath of your whole self being assaulted by this disease. Young onset patients have all too often lost their work and are now faced with symptoms that are easier to cope but now nothing to do... for the rest of you life. If this wasn't difficult enough, now you have to cope with a speech or balance problem that you didn't have before.
We are just beginning to grasp the emotional issues involved with this operation. It is not easy but being prepared for the after effects is a healthy first step.
Rick
Subject
Re: Considering DBS for Dystonia, have also had depression due to pain
Date
29 October 2003
Posted by
Roberta the DBS nurse
Hi Rick, I have to say, I take a chicken and egg view of post DBS depression. What I mean is, I wonder how much pre-surgery depression is masked by the other devastating symptoms of PD. There certainly is a biochemical basis for the dopamine/seratonin depletion connection. And, I do feel this is undertreated in the neurologic community. I've read the literature on DBS induced depressive symptoms, but have had no first hand experience of this. What I have experienced are patients trying to make the transition from disabled to abled. This should, in theory, make them happy, but in reality, it is very difficult. When 12-15-18 years of your adult life have been consumed with taking pills, strategizing how to get out of a car, or agonizing about going to a restaurant knowing you'll throw food all over the place, when these challenges no longer exist, there seems to be very little to do. Somehow, reintegration into "normal" life needs some guidance and ideally, this can come from you, and others like you, helping your peers to cope with these enormous changes. Pardon the ravings of a madwoman who got off the subject. Roberta
Subject
Re: Considering DBS for Dystonia, have also had depression due to pain
Date
25 October 2003
Posted by
Richard Kramer
Roberta,
You asked what has been our experience with depression and DBS. It just so happens we (M.T.) and I are looking into that presently. Our preliminary data indicates that MORE people report depression AFTER DBS than BEFORE. Why. I can only conjecture. But I do know that some of the contact points on the lead are in the areas of the brain that influence emotions. I know from personal experience that some of the settings appeared to give me a sense of disconnectedness from myself.
Subject
Re: Considering DBS for Dystonia, have also had depression due to pain
Date
20 October 2003
Posted by
Roberta the DBS nurse
Dear Jeanne, I assume you have spasmodic torticollis, twisting of your neck. The DBS can probably help with this, but will do little for your depression. Unless you think that relieving the dystonia will alleviate some depression, and there's probably some truth to that. Rewires.....what has been your experience with depression before DBS and after? Roberta
Subject
Re: Considering DBS for Dystonia, have also had depression due to pain
Date
19 October 2003
Posted by
LEE BUCKINDALE
Deep brain stimulation of the pallidum and the subthaLmic nucleus (STN) is showing very good results for dystonia. I have dystonia and am having good results with STN stimulation. GOOD LUCK! LEE BUCKINDALE
Subject
Considering DBS for Dystonia, have also had depression due to pain
Date
18 October 2003
Posted by
jeanne
I started having depression when my dystonia started up about 15 years ago. I did have about of it as a child also. I am considering DBS. I no longer am responding to botox A or B. I also have a titanium plate in my neck which could be removed. This was placed in for stability after the dystonia destroyed two disks. two bone grafts where also put in. Do you have any information.
