Posted by stargazer2 on December 5, 2007, at 10:00:42
In reply to Re: another ECT question/Bleauberry, posted by linkadge on December 4, 2007, at 23:37:30
Just like with meds, ECT side effects are greatly minimized by the doctors. They will say they want to keep someone from focusing in on any negatives when undergoing treatment. But I'm the type of person who will only respect a doctor that tells me the good with the bad, because I wasn't born yesterday, and know that there are two sides to any treatments. Your best bet is to discuss with others their ECT results, both post treatment and a year after ECT has stopped. Many people have to have maintenance ECT which means they get treated every few months or if they relapse before then. Their results would be harder to define.
The only thing I would highly recommend is that you have had a fair trial of all classifications of medications, including MAO's. If your doc is inexperienced with or afraid of the risks, ask for a referral to a doc that uses them. All pdocs should be able to give you the name of a doc that uses MAO's, else I would start making phone calls myself.
What meds have you tried? Are you on any meds now? If so, any successes at all?
Oh, one more suggestion that I know can work, but is seen as too difficult when one is depressed is ACTIVITY. The more I learn about depression, the more I understand how important being active is to releasing "feel good" endorphins. All of the best experts in depression have advised me to exercise and I rationally know it is good but I can't stick with any routine for long enough to give it a chance to work. This is my newest goal.
Exercise is more beneficial than lying there expecting meds or ECT to do it all. A theory of depression (gene related) has been recently found to support this. It can't be rocket science either since it is impossible to be depressed and be active at the same time, seems rather obvious.
I'm not there yet myself, I'm trying to do something physical everyday, some days I do little to nothing, other days I push myself to get on equipment and break a sweat. I know there are small results happening every time I start doing something physical. But the rewards don't last unless you routinely follow this advice. Following through is my problem. Right now I should be out with the dogs on a hike.
I think exercise might be the common denominator for everyone because it's so difficult to stick with as a routine.
I hope I haven't "preached" too long. My intent is to say there are other options out there, the hardest ones may have the greatest chance of working. That is always true. Change is hard but necessary for survival. What if recovery from this is something we have more control over than we realize? That is a good thing, right?
Now I'm curious about others recovery using exercise as a first line of treatment. I'll start a post somewhere(?) asking about this.
I'm "talking " too much already. Sorry for big mouth syndrone this morning, must need exercise to burn off mental energy.
Stargazer
poster:stargazer2
thread:798690
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071204/msgs/798911.html