CrazyRedhead Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 (edited) Seems like my current pdoc thinks that my OCD is bad enough that I should consider a cingulotomy, which is a last resort treatment for severe, treatment-resistant OCD........I have tried so many meds for the OCD with no relief....Have also tried multiple modes of therapy, including ERP (exposure response prevention). https://www.wired.com/2015/06/laser-psychosurgery/ In fact, he said a compassionate allowance could be made for me, and I could get the surgery at no cost, because my case is so severe. Pdoc also said that I am only the second patient he has recommended this for......He works at a teaching hospital. The thought of having surgery on my brain terrifies me.......What would you do? Edited February 8, 2021 by CrazyRedhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blahblah Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 Whoa...sounds scary and sort of extreme to me. I'm surprised they wouldn't recommend TMS or ECT first. I've never heard of brain surgery being recommended (nowadays) for OCD....In fact, even ECT/TMS is usually only recommended for those with treatment-resistant Depression (I think)... Is there anyone who has already done this procedure that you can talk to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted February 8, 2021 Author Share Posted February 8, 2021 2 hours ago, Blahblah said: Is there anyone who has already done this procedure that you can talk to? Unfortunately, no, don't know of anyone, so apparently it's not done too often.......I've decided now I'm not going to do it......IMO, brain surgery in general is a risky business at best........ Although this pdoc hasn't mentioned ECT, I already decided against that awhile back.....For TMS, I would have to go for treatments 5 days a week for 6 weeks.......With my current low level of functioning, plus limited help with transportation, TMS wouldn't be doable right now.. I'm just scared....Scared of everything......**SIGH** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceberg Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 There are a million obstacles to this but just to throw it out there- there are places that use ketamine for OCD and supposedly the evidence is good... if you can get past the price and needing someone to drive and the possibly short duration. I tried it for BP depression and loved it, but I’m not going to pretend it’s an easy process 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 (edited) 13 hours ago, Iceberg said: There are a million obstacles to this but just to throw it out there- there are places that use ketamine for OCD and supposedly the evidence is good... if you can get past the price and needing someone to drive and the possibly short duration. I tried it for BP depression and loved it, but I’m not going to pretend it’s an easy process Yes, I talked with doc about ketamine, and looked into the cost because my insurance doesn't currently cover it. Unfortunately, the cost is way beyond my means.....Thanks for the suggestion, though. I do know of someone that had great success with ketamine......Hope insurance might cover it at some point in the future. Edited February 9, 2021 by CrazyRedhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceberg Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 7 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said: Yes, I talked with doc about ketamine, and looked into the cost because my insurance doesn't currently cover it. Unfortunately, the cost is way beyond my means.....Thanks for the suggestion, though. I do know of someone that had great success with ketamine......Hope insurance might cover it at some point in the future. I think they are starting to cover the spravato if you’re lucky. The problem is there is no money in getting a new approval for regular old ketamine, which means the insurance will never feel the need to cover it. Sucks too cuz I really liked it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 4 hours ago, Iceberg said: I think they are starting to cover the spravato if you’re lucky. The problem is there is no money in getting a new approval for regular old ketamine, which means the insurance will never feel the need to cover it. Sucks too cuz I really liked it If I'm correct, spravato is the nasal spray that has to be administered at a clinic?.....I'll call my insurance co. and check if they cover it. That really does suck about the regular ketamine......Insurance companies are so irritating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceberg Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 27 minutes ago, CrazyRedhead said: If I'm correct, spravato is the nasal spray that has to be administered at a clinic?.....I'll call my insurance co. and check if they cover it. That really does suck about the regular ketamine......Insurance companies are so irritating. The issue is the spray is only approved for depression, so it might be tough to get it covered for any other Dx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 11 hours ago, Iceberg said: The issue is the spray is only approved for depression, so it might be tough to get it covered for any other Dx Ah, okay.....Well, I called my insurance and they don't cover spravato yet for anything.....**SIGH** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Complicated toad Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Been thinking about this post, it's so interesting from a scientific perspective but terrifying as you said. I would be hesitant too. I hope you find a better alternative that works. I feel like I just have to live with my OCD, I haven't found a solution. The last therapist I asked was hesitant to treat me because she'd never dealt with a case that severe. I will follow your post for updates, I am interested in what you find. In a weird way, I am kind of scared to get rid of it, like maybe the OCD is right. It's absurd but I devote plenty of brainpower to the absurd so who knows. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share Posted March 22, 2021 (edited) 16 hours ago, Complicated toad said: Been thinking about this post, it's so interesting from a scientific perspective but terrifying as you said. I would be hesitant too. I hope you find a better alternative that works. I feel like I just have to live with my OCD, I haven't found a solution. The last therapist I asked was hesitant to treat me because she'd never dealt with a case that severe. I will follow your post for updates, I am interested in what you find. In a weird way, I am kind of scared to get rid of it, like maybe the OCD is right. It's absurd but I devote plenty of brainpower to the absurd so who knows. I have struggled with my OCD so long without a solution, so you are not alone. Thank you for your support, I appreciate it.....I hope to find a better solution than brain surgery (YIKES)....IMO, there is relatively little known about the human brain, so I definitely don't want surgery on mine. According to the article I posted, only about half of the people who receive the surgery return to normal brain function....So even with this surgery, there's only a 50% chance it will work.......Not good enough odds for me. Edited March 22, 2021 by CrazyRedhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Complicated toad Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 I agree! 50% success or failure is way too big of a margin to let someone cut into your head. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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