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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by adamie on August 12, 2001, at 14:17:20
hi. My depression is too severe at times and it is sometimes just too hard to bare. I am on effexor now at 75mg and increasing later but if this doesn't help and if there isn't enough lift in my depression then I really need some FAST relief. So despite the various negative stories regarding ECT I am deffinetly considering it. I was going to more consider VNS but that could take a month and in some cases even 'months' to work.In the majority of cases is uni-lateral ECT safe enough? As in no brain damage? At least usually no brain damage? I dont want to change from the person I was when I was normal but the depression is too hard at times. Is the only real thing to worry about is memory loss? And can this memory loss be for a very long portion of your past? I met my fiance 8 months ago, I dont want to forget her. Would uni-lateral usually just create memory loss for the time around the treatment?
And also I know one has to take meds after the ECT to remain in remission.
Can someone give me a list of meds that have been tested with ECT in keeping patients in remission? I need a med that doesn't numb emotions. I need my full emotions. And also good for concentration. but mostly emotions. I need to feel everything again.
i hope it doesn't come to me getting ECT but it's a deffinete possibility. some times during my depression waiting was a little easy. I would feel very bad but I could keep on waiting. but some times it is too severe. thanks for reading. and also I took paxil earlier with no sucess. actually stopping the paxil somehow made me feel much better the 4 days after but then that effect faded.
so generally my main concern is the brain damage. Do most people walk away from uni lateral ECT with no brain damage or at least nothing significant?
Posted by adamie on August 12, 2001, at 15:52:24
In reply to Uni-lateral ECT safe?, posted by adamie on August 12, 2001, at 14:17:20
>
> hi. My depression is too severe at times and it is sometimes just too hard to bare. I am on effexor now at 75mg and increasing later but if this doesn't help and if there isn't enough lift in my depression then I really need some FAST relief. So despite the various negative stories regarding ECT I am deffinetly considering it. I was going to more consider VNS but that could take a month and in some cases even 'months' to work.
>
> In the majority of cases is uni-lateral ECT safe enough? As in no brain damage? At least usually no brain damage? I dont want to change from the person I was when I was normal but the depression is too hard at times. Is the only real thing to worry about is memory loss? And can this memory loss be for a very long portion of your past? I met my fiance 8 months ago, I dont want to forget her. Would uni-lateral usually just create memory loss for the time around the treatment?
>
> And also I know one has to take meds after the ECT to remain in remission.
>
> Can someone give me a list of meds that have been tested with ECT in keeping patients in remission? I need a med that doesn't numb emotions. I need my full emotions. And also good for concentration. but mostly emotions. I need to feel everything again.
>
> i hope it doesn't come to me getting ECT but it's a deffinete possibility. some times during my depression waiting was a little easy. I would feel very bad but I could keep on waiting. but some times it is too severe. thanks for reading. and also I took paxil earlier with no sucess. actually stopping the paxil somehow made me feel much better the 4 days after but then that effect faded.
>
> so generally my main concern is the brain damage. Do most people walk away from uni lateral ECT with no brain damage or at least nothing significant?hi. I am more considering VNS now. The pace maker for the brain approved in Canada for depression. It costs at least $15000 though. Would the Canadian ohip card cover this? And what about ECT? My parents cant afford to have these done for me and I dont want to be suicidal. every day hurts so much. i am 18 and i dont know much about this whole medical world. is there a way i can get some insurance or something despite being already on effexor for the VNS operation + device and also for ECT? Please reply
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 12, 2001, at 21:25:34
In reply to Uni-lateral ECT safe?, posted by adamie on August 12, 2001, at 14:17:20
ECT is not any faster than any antidepressant. It requires 8 to 12 treatments over 4 to 6 weeks. www.electroshock.org
This is the end of the thread.
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