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"I saw VNS Therapy as a beacon of hope."

Mike, 50 years old and a father of three, has experienced depression for the last decade.  He first noticed it when he couldn't stop crying, had difficulty communicating, and felt totally isolated. Mike was referred to an outpatient group therapy program that he attended 4 days a week.  Before long, however, he felt like a total zombie: extremely lethargic and overmedicated.  His depression kept getting worse.  Eventually, he had to stop working and go on disability for a period of time. Mike felt that he was given many medications that just did not work for him.  Then Mike met Dr. Zajecka who was starting the VNS Therapy clinical studies. Down to his last option, Mike refused to try electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). At the same time, Mike was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome.  In 2001, feeling hopeless and with no other options to treat his depression, Mike was implanted with VNS Therapy. He saw VNS Therapy as a "beacon of hope." The first thing Mike noticed was some improved quality-of-life benefits. About 6 months later, Mike felt his depression lifting. His family noticed his improvements before Mike did, which is not uncommon with VNS Therapy.  Today, Mike enjoys his relationship with his daughter, 12, and his two sons who are 15 and 18. Although he still takes medications, VNS Therapy has helped keep him out of the severe depression he experienced for so many years and has restored the hope that at one time seemed so far away.