Posted by jerrympls on May 11, 2005, at 19:23:09
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » jerrympls, posted by Bob on May 11, 2005, at 11:53:01
> Jerry:
>
> Your story, and others like it, raises a question in my mind. Was the procedure considered an emergency at the time? How was your condition afterwards, apart from the memory? It often seems to me like many people who have ECT suffer great memory problems, but they don't really discuss having life threatening depression or similar problems afterward. I assume you had such problems afterward, but maybe not?
>
> Bob
>
>Hi Bob
Good questions you raise. I don't think my ECT treatment was considered an "emergency" treatment - it was more of a last resort becuase I wasn't responding to traditional meds. After ECT my depression got much worse and I started having panic attacks - which I had NOT had prior to treatment. I've had more "suicidal ideation" since my ECT - much much more so than prior to the treatments. I also have been in the hospital more (in psych wards) than before my ECT too. I've never attempted suicide - but have come very close. Currently I'm on a med cocktail that has kept me pretty stable and out of deep periods of severe depression. I currently take Lexapro, Klonopin, Dexedrine and hydrocodone. Yes, an opiate. My doc finally agreed to prescribe it for me and it's worked wonders - no miracle cure - but very close to "normal" and I'm able to work. I've been on opiate therapy for my depression for about 5-6 months now? and have had no problems with tolerance or abuse.Jerry
poster:jerrympls
thread:495223
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050510/msgs/496591.html