Posted by bleauberry on August 22, 2010, at 16:26:39
In reply to ultra-brief pulse ECT anyone?, posted by PC_Load_Letter on August 22, 2010, at 13:26:39
> This is a new form of ECT that apparently results in significantly less deleterious effects on memory and cognition than the standard versions. Its use is not yet widespread, however. I would appreciate any first-hand accounts of this form of ECT.
>
> I will be undergoing this form of unilateral ECT in the near future, October most likely. I've tried just about everything under the sun to ameliorate my MDD, by the way, including all the MAOIs, most tricyclics, as well as several neuroleptics and mood-stabilizers.But not antinbiotics? Doxycyline? Antifungals? Diflucan? DLPA? LDN? How do you respond to opioid pain killers? Was tramadol on the list of meds you've done? Zoloft+Nortriptyline combo? Prozac+Ritalin? Modafinil?
I mean, when someone says they tried just about everything, unless they have actually tried attacking the major causes of depression instead of just the symptoms, then they haven't tried everything. Thus the mention of ABX and antifungal which cover a lot of bases. And the mention of LDN, DLPA, and challengef tests of opioids to cover the endogenous endorphine angle, almost always neglected. Just some ideas.
As for the ECT, well, as an ECT survivor I wouldn't recommend any form of it to anyone. On the good side, it can be sort of like closing an old chapter and opening a new one, even if it doesn't work well. It can at least give hope. Sometimes it even works. When it does work, most people here have said it didn't work for very long, but did get them over the hump and buy some time until they found something else that did help. That's the new chapter thing.
We all have our own unique journeys and decisions. I'm just saying I don't think ECT of any kind is a good idea if creative diagnostics have been overlooked. They almost always are overlooked. We always assume that since it is depression, it must be in the head, right? Well, wrong. Serious causes of depression can come from places away from the head. The head is just the place that takes the pounding.
I have been in your shoes and believe me I know where you are at. So I do wish you well whatever you do.
poster:bleauberry
thread:959395
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100821/msgs/959410.html