Out of the Black Hole: A Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression Book

On July 15, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved vagus nerve stimulation therapy as a treatment for depression. The author was a study patient in the FDA clinical trial of vagus nerve stimulation and depression. He was a presenter at the FDA's Medical Devices Panel Meeting in Washington, D.C. The book includes an easy-to-understand description of the implant surgery, pictures of the procedure, the stimulator and the healed scars. Also included is information about the side effects and benefits (no cognitive impairment or drug interactions), things to consider while deciding to have the procedure, insurance codes and the reimbursement process. This is remarkable story of one man's journey out of the black hole of depression thanks to the remarkable medical breakthrough therapy of vagus nerve stimulation.