Posted by Mimi on July 23, 2002, at 16:35:12
In reply to Re: ECT info needed!, posted by Dave1 on July 23, 2002, at 14:40:47
> HI To everyone who has posted:
>
> I had an inadequate course of bilateral ECT About 7 years ago. They were very helpful.
> Since then I have done alot research because they were so helpful, and I have had very little response from medications.
>
> Here is what I have found.
>
> They now seem to be doing bifrontal treatments instead of bilateral because they are just as good and don't cause as many side effects.
>
> Unilateral aren't as good as the above.
>
> Using Diprivan as anesthesia should be requested because it causes much less side effects when awakening than Brevital ( the most common anesthesia ). About five studies (PUBMED) show that Diprivan won't hinder efficacy. Also several doctors have confirmed this when I asked.
>
> You can take up to 3mg of ativan a day without causing inadequate seizures ( That's what they allow at Colummbia University studies - again see PUBMED).
>
> From, what I've read ECT is a good catch all treatment for several conditions including the ones I've seen above.
>
> My main concern now is relapse. When I did my treatments, the positive effects only lasted about 1 month. I read a Columbia study regarding the best way to prevent relapse, and they say nortriptyline + Li is by far the best.
>
> NIMH is now conducting relapse studies using nortriptyline + Li as well as maintenance ECT. Unfortunately when I called them they said the results of the study won't be out for 18 months.
>
> Hope this info helps. I believe it is pretty accurate. I get most of my info from PUBMED studies and a couple ECT doctors I have seen.
>
> By the way, for people who have had ECT, could you tell me what you are doing to prevent relapse and whether it has been effective and for how long. Also could you tell me if you were treatment resistant, as I am, before the treatments.
>
> Also thanks for the Fink website, I'm going to definetly check it out.
>
> DaveThanks a bunch for your informative post.
I was most definitely "treatment resistant" before ECT. I had tried many meds.
To prevent relapse I take Li, nortriptyline, Buspar, Seroquel, and Celexa. Works well except for the sexual side effects. I have no intention of relapsing. Thanks for the tip on Nortriptyline and Li.
I had nine unilateral ECT treatments. Bilateral is known to be worse for memory. Keep posting.
Mimi
poster:Mimi
thread:113035
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020718/msgs/113433.html