Posted by TooDeadForDreamin on November 5, 2003, at 13:08:51
My doctor and I are considering maintenance ECT in combination with an AD to treat my major recurring depression. I have never met anyone who actually received maintenance ECT, so I'm somewhat skeptical. Does anyone have experience with maintenance ECT, with or without antidepressants?
Background: Tried about every AD on market, with no positive results. About five years ago I had a dozen ECT treatments (half unilateral, half bilateral). The most notable effect was significant memory loss for several months. Shortly after these treatments, I learned that a close relative was successfully treating their depression with Paxil combined with another AD.
I had tried Paxil previously, but within days I was sleeping around the clock. This time (about 6 weeks post-ECT) I chopped up pills to get a dose of around 2-3 mg daily. Within 48 hours, I noticed a significant improvement in my mood, energy, social engagement, etc. And there was no somnolence. But it happened so quickly, and reminded me so much of what I had heard about manic episodes, that I got scared. It was a weekend and I was unable to reach my doctor. I stopped the Paxil and my mood returned to normal (which is to say deep depression). A few weeks later I re-started Paxil, and this time all it did was make me sleepy.
Our conclusion: somehow ECT had changed my chemistry such that small doses of Paxil provided antidepressant effect. We are now interested in the idea of combining Paxil with a few ECT treatments to see if we can fashion a useful treatment schedule.
I am still troubled by the lack of information from people who have actually tried maintenance ECT. Any relevant experience or information would be appreciated.
Too Dead For Dreamin,
But still not plugged in
poster:TooDeadForDreamin
thread:276855
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031105/msgs/276855.html