Posted by Chloe on August 8, 2002, at 17:55:40
In reply to Re:Results of ECT consult...Chloe, posted by jaby on August 7, 2002, at 21:31:31
Thanks again Jaby, Mitch, cybercafe, Dave1, Emme
I talked to my pdoc this morning on the phone and she filled me in on the ECT doc, and his impressions. Apparently, the Edoc is not a "salesman." That he has been doing ECT a long time, and is very good at what he does. But not great with people. The Edoc told her that I was a good candidate, and that he understood how I need some relief from depression, lability and side effects of multiple medications. So I guess he got the picture, but not in the most elegant way.
But I asked my pdoc if she knew anyone closer to where I live. My pdoc's hospital is a three hour commute round trip if there is no traffic. And traffic is only going to get worse because the hospital is in a teaching location, colleges etc. So she does know of someone in my area, so perhaps I can have a consult with a person who will sit down the entire appointment. GEEZ!
We also talked about the possiblity of T3 augmentation before or instead (if it worked) of ECT. But I told my pdoc that I just can't add on another med, or start switching stuff around. Med changes are so hard on me and I feel like I need to get off some meds, not add to the: lithobid, depakote, neurontin, celexa, doxepin, diazapam cocktail. Adding another med on top, when I don't even know what my low doses of all of these meds are doing now, I think is unwise. I think I need to get off the depakote and neurontin and perhaps celexa to see what my mood is really like before adding another med. But I am not sure I can safely go off these meds without ECT to carry me through...
Can anyone relate to what I am saying????? I don't want to "waste" a potentially good med for me by trying it when I am already on too many meds with too many side effects.I just want to express how caring and supportive you all have been. Jaby, you really put my mind at ease when you said the ECT is not just for the super depressed. My pdoc confirmed that. And Mitch, you mentioned T3 months and months ago. But I never persued it. Perhaps if I had tried that, I wouldn't be here back on depakote "hair-be-gone" pills!
Dave1, yes, I have to see another Edoc. This guy's behaviour was not professional in my opinion. It was unnerving being left while he stepped out to "shock" the next one... Cybercafe, I love you positive attitude. I really feel like I have given the med thing a very fair trial. I know ECT is extreme, but so is mental illness that is NOT effectively treated or managed. Hi Emme, thanks, and hope your flaxseed oil trial is going ok.Thanks again. Any more thoughts or comments most welcome. Take care all, please
Chloe
poster:Chloe
thread:115145
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020807/msgs/115721.html