Anyone's depression improve with the Fisher Wallace Stimulator?

I hope someone responds. I purchased one, but am afraid to use it.

I have never heard of this.

@cat246 @esikora @sears, fellow members like @deekayyy84, @lamerex4, @lindasmith1222, @ds2400 may be able to tell you more about their experiences with Fisher Wallace device.

"The Fisher Wallace is a cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) device which stimulates the brain to produce serotonin and other neurochemicals. It's a portable, battery-powered generator permitted by the FDA for symptomatic relief of insomnia, anxiety and depression, and for treating chronic pain (although the agency recently proposed imposing new restrictions on such devices)." Read more here: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/mind-guest-blog/why-i-get-my-brain-zapped/

@adronicus provides their experience in detail in this related post https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/56505/

Thank you very much for the information. I ordered the Fisher Wallace CES and am looking forwards to trying it.

It was recommended to me for insomnia. My doctor said it was worth a try as I inherited a familial insomnia from my mother and her relatives. It did nothing for me, but give me a really bad headache. I hope it helps someone. I donated mine to another insomniac friend and it also did nothing for her. It was expensive even then and insurance (of course) would not cover it. Big Pharma trying to get the last nickel from someone. I think it ended up in another state and it was more of a placebo effect for this friend. She thought it helped her so it did. The only thing that ever helped me was doing what all the sleep experts, specialists, friends and family told me to never do. I take a prescription sleeping pill and I sleep. It might very well work for depression. I was depressed because I couldn't sleep as I tried to explain to all those specialists. I think women of a certain age are automatically found to be depressed.

I have had the FW stim for about 6 years. Was recommended to me by a friend who is a clinician. I used it for 3 - 4 months and was able to discontinue my secondary anti-depressant (It was prescribed to augment my primary medication). I continue to take the primary med. I was depressed for almost 50 years when a medication was found that worked but it needed the augmentation. I was so glad to be able to get rid of one of my meds. I would recommend anyone trying the stim, I had no adverse side effects.

I have been using it for therapy to treat major depressive disorder and anxiety for the past few weeks.

It has been a huge change. Therapy never worked for me and drugs help but make me feel run down. The first night I had dreams - I haven't had dreams for the past 12 years this consistently - and have been sleeping more soundly and getting better rest. I also feel better throughout the day. If you have one - try it out. You may feel pinpricks at the site, but if you make sure the band is tight and the sponges are wet - not just damp, you should feel nothing. Good luck to you all.

Like @cat246 and @esikora I have (just) purchased the Fisher-Wallace; I did so based on hearing about it here for the first time, and then went to the F-W website.

I have been concerned about using it, but plan to discuss it with my LCSW therapist tomorrow, though I don't expect - respectfully speaking - she will have academic or scientific knowledge or background on it. However, I do want to look more into the mention by @colleenyoung that the FDA has addressed it, along with the other links she provided.

With dysthymia diagnosed decades ago, and nearly all SSRIs tried, along with a few secondary meds as discussed at the time with my former psychiatrist, nothing has really made a noticeably positive impact. Due to MDD, and more, a family member has had ECT, but I saw how severely it affected her that evening and yet as far as I know, she was able to go on practicing medicine successfully until her recent retirement.

It is all rather elusive and intangible, and when it isn't resolved, especially after a lifetime of sadness and struggle, with most of that time undiagnosed, and - still - unresolved, it grows to be a tiresome condition. It did help that once my former psychiatrist stated that there really is much that the medical/scientific community doesn't know still about mental health. That admission alone can be reassuring at times so that one doesn't feel as lacking for not overcoming it.

Major appreciation for this Mayo Clinic Connect forum. I do not wish to use social media and have not had any success finding a group that fits this struggle, so this moderated, respectful and informative forum has really meant a lot.

I originally purchased this device about 5 years ago. I tried it for a week or so with no results but no bad side effects. I then tried using it again about a year ago, twice daily, and for a more extended time. After a month or so my insomnia began to diminish and now is virtually gone. I had also been taking two meds for depression and anxiety which I no longer need. Right now I feel much better than I had in decades.

I must say however that I also have developed other good habits over the past 2 or 3 years that may be the reason or contributing factors for my good fortune. Those include meditation each morning plus other mindfulness activities, readings and spiritual growth habits.

Best of luck on your journey and may God guide your ways.

John Z

Did you gave any luck with the Fisher device? If I can ask what condition are you suffering from. Mine is daily persistent migraines.