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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tonyz on July 11, 2010, at 19:56:59
I had posted an earlier thread concerning this device and advised that I had purchased one and would share my experiences.
My diagnosis has been major recurrent depression. I have responded well in the past to Nortriptyline in combination with seroquel. This time it was a combination of cymbalta and remeron and benzos or just time that created healing.
I tried the Alpha Stim for nearly the recommended period of time, but as my depression is characterized by severe insomnia, I discontinued its use. The manual does recommend not using within three hours of bedtime and also states in some paradoxical cases it can be stimulating and consequently could exacerbate insomnia.
I did not notice any therapeutic effect for my depression or insomnia. It is possible I did not give it enough time and it is also possible that it doesn't work for me. It could also be that it was helping, but not measurable to me at the time.
Customer support was very responsive and was very quick to offer an RMA number for its return and refund. They also offered me an extra week beyond the 30 day trial.
However, my wife who was beginning to have some anxiety and some minor insomnia problems, probably due to my condition did seem to find some effect from the device so I decided to keep it.
I am thinking that this device may be more useful as prophylaxis treatment; at least in my case.
From my own experience and of course everyone is different I have noticed a greater antidepressant effect from SAM-E than Nortriptyline. The effectiveness of SAM-E has been confirmed by studies undertaken at Harvard by Maurizio Fava.
Others have been quick to condemn the research provided on the Alpha Stim site and question the studies. However, if you look at Cymbalta which is heavily marketed by Lily their clinical trials were very limited and there have been some very critical comments indicating that on paper it sounds good but reality may be very different.
It has taken a long time for my depression to lift, I was on a laundry list of different medications. Currently I'm taking tranxime (benzo), remeron, and cymbalta. I had been taken Seroquel as well but have withdrawn from that w/o problems and am withdrawing from the other three. So far it is going well and I have not noticed any faltering of mood.
My plan is to use the alpha stim and sam-e for prophylaxis as well as meditation.
I am not a big fan of the pharmaceutical companies, the way drugs are marketing, horrible approval process in the US, etc.
I have read that other companies are taking an interest in the alpha stim technology and are in the process of developing similar products as an alternative to antidepressants. St Jude Medical is one such company that comes to mind.
In India a study compared a special breathing technique known as Sudaskar Kriya (I am likely misspelling that) and found it to be as effective as imipramine but less effective than ECT.
I'm not telling people they should take ADs, but I think there are other options as well as therapy and meditation that bear investigation.
I hope this is of value to someone.
I've started using the Alpha Stim device again and will report back anything interesting in the hopes that it may benefit others.
For the record, I have no investment in the company nor am in any way affiliating with them. I just found out about this device from another patient when I was hospitalized as an outpatient and thought that it was worth investigating.
Posted by Phillipa on July 13, 2010, at 13:53:50
In reply to Alpha Stim, posted by tonyz on July 11, 2010, at 19:56:59
Got a link would like to see what it is. Thanks so you like Sam-e? Phillipa
Posted by tonyz on July 17, 2010, at 15:53:35
In reply to Re: Alpha Stim » tonyz, posted by Phillipa on July 13, 2010, at 13:53:50
Hi Phillipa,
Yeah I liked sam-e. I think at high dosages for me it was more effective than a tricyclic; the only think it can be activating at high dosages. Some people have upset stomach issues - I never experienced that. Nature Made is the gold standard - best price is at Costco. If you go with another brand make sure the tablets are enteric coated. I would not mix with another AD.But if you decide to take it, you need to spend some time to understand the methylation process and byproducts that can be produced. This may not be as much of a factor at lower dosages.
You have to watch for homocysteine levels which are bad for your heart.As for the Alpha Stim here is a link:
http://www.alpha-stim.com/I have the SCS, yes it is pricey at $500, but if it can work for prophylaxis it is well worth it.
The company has a very good return policy and support seems pretty good. I am in the process of withdrawing from all meds - Seroquel gone, cymbalta down to 30mg, remeron down to 15 mg and benzos down to 1/3 of original dosage. So far so good.
I use my Alpha-Stim for about an hour most days. Other than feeling a little tingling and kind of a slight blinking from stimulation of the optic nerve I can't say I notice anything else.
Also my depressions tend to improve and then withdrawing from all meds does not create an immediate relapse so it is far too early to tell if this device is helping me.
The science behind it makes sense. A lot of stuff on their website. Studies are of limited number of people, but then so was cymbalta (hah).
Hope you are doing well.
This is the end of the thread.
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