Posted by Crazy Horse on September 26, 2006, at 13:36:46
In reply to First ECT went fine, posted by blueberry on September 25, 2006, at 12:54:49
> My first ECT session was 6:00 this morning and it went fine. I don't know whether it is placebo effect, relief in knowing that something new is being tried, recently stopping prozac and then lexapro which were both lousy, or the ECT itself, but I feel noticeably better today than in months.
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> The hospital says in there early days of ECT about 10 years ago they used unilateral but that it didn't work on many people and when it did it took a long time. They only use bilateral now.
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> I haven't played guitar in a while because of zero interest and too much depression, even though I love playing guitar. Today when I got home the first thing I wanted to do was play guitar.
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> The grass in my yard was very deep. I have been too depressed to mow the lawn for about 2 months. After playing guitar I had the urge to go out and mow the lawn.
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> I am also on 2.5mg zyprexa and 15mg remeron.
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> As far as short term memory loss goes, I had a hard time remembering what I did yesterday. Other than that no big deal. I'm sure memory loss and confusion will get worse with more treatments but I am praying it will be minimal.
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> They tell me it is usually 6 treatments (3 per week) before you start feeling better. Normally it requires 6 to 20 treatments. After that they see how long you can go without followup. Some people do well forever. Others require once a week, once a month, or whatever.
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> I am praying for all of us to find relief and peace from the devastating suffering of depression.
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> Anyway, ECT was very simple and mundane. No big deal at all. They hook up an IV, put you to sleep in seconds, do the treatment, and half an hour later you are on your way home. Much easier than dealing with long failed drug trials and infinite side effects. I hope it continues to be fine.
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>AMEN!!! This is such good news Blueberry, I am sooo happy for you. ECT works, i had 24 treatments in 1997 (bilateral) and it/they pulled me out of the worst depression i have ever experienced. I am an advocate. I will continue to pray for you, i see only good things coming to you. :)
-Monte
poster:Crazy Horse
thread:689079
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060919/msgs/689390.html