Posted by Bob on October 24, 2008, at 21:09:56
In reply to Re: Exotic Meds for Treatment Resistant Depression, posted by greywolf on October 24, 2008, at 20:59:06
> > 1 year is fine. After that, if a doc isn't considering ECT, it's either the patient won't consent, or the doc's rationale is fundamentally grounded by hysteria, and little else. The APA fully supports its safety and efficacy.
>
> That statement is a gross oversimplification in my view. I've got a great psychiatrist who uses ECT, but is also very forthcoming regarding its short- and long-term risks. Which is why although ECT remains an option for me, he recommended trying VNS surgery first. ECT may have an undeservedly bad rep to a certain extent, but there are practical drawbacks to its use that are well recognized by professionals.
>
> I'm glad it worked well for you. But I'm not sure that it is fair to suggest that people who choose not to go the ECT route are being irrational or hysterical.
>
> Continued good health to you.
>
> Greywolf
>
I have to side with Greywolf here. I had 21 treatments of ECT and it was, in retrospect, devastating. Many people are helped by this procedure, but there is a real percentage of people who do not do well with it. I personally believe that a patient should enter into ECT treatments with care and under close supervision. This is one of the problems I think was implicated in my case was that the ECT doctors and my psychiatrist were not very communicative. Unfortunately, people who feel they need ECT are often helpless and vulnerable at this point and I'm not sure how a patient could "manage" their own care.- Bob
poster:Bob
thread:854329
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081016/msgs/859189.html