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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pink123 on August 12, 2003, at 14:30:57
I'm new to this, and I'm not sure how it works. I just posted a message to one of the other boards, but I think my message is better suited for "psycho babble" (this one)
Anyway, I'm looking to communicate with people that have had ect.
I'm considering this option as I have disabling depression and can't seem to respond (long term) to any of the psychiatric meds.
During a "depressive episode," I usually can't get out of bed for 6 weeks at a time.
I can't imagine that any treatment could make matters worse.
I understand that memory loss is almost inevitable, but after spending 6 weeks in bed, I don't think there would be much to remember anyway.
I've heard miracle stories about this procedure, but I've never talked directly to someone who has actually had it.
Just looking for answers,
pink123
Posted by dave1 on August 12, 2003, at 20:37:53
In reply to info on ect?, posted by pink123 on August 12, 2003, at 14:30:57
Pink,
I'm in a similiar situation. I didn't respond to meds for many years, so I tried ECT twice. Each time it worked some but I relapsed after about a month. I don't know how to prevent the relapse. They are now running a big test of combo. of nortriptyline + Li after the initial treatments, but the results won't be in for 6 months to a year. They are also testing maintenance ECT in the same trial.
I think it is important to have a good maintenance plan before doing the treatments otherwise you will quickly relapse, almost everyone does.Regarding the treatments themselves, there is some temporary memory loss but it didn't really bother me. When you wake up from a treatment you are confused and disoriented for about 20 minutes. This was very disconcerting to me, but doesn't seem to other people to much. To make waking up easier, you should request the anesthesia Diprivan, it causes much less confusion waking up than the barbituate anesthesias typically used (brevital,pentathol), and the ECTs work just as well with Diprivan. Also request some IV ativan or versed after the treatment, this also helps the awakening.
Hope this helps, its info. I've gotten from personal experience, my pdocs, and MEDLINE.
Bye,
Dave
Posted by pink123 on August 13, 2003, at 5:51:29
In reply to Re: info on ect?, posted by dave1 on August 12, 2003, at 20:37:53
Hi Dave!
Thank you SO MUCH for your response. This arms me with more great questions to ask in my consultations.
I'm fearful of having a panic attack upon waking-up. (I've had these in the past)
How many treatments have you had? Did it improve your depression at all? If so, to what extent? Have you ever had enough relief that you actually feel the least bit happy and/or motivated? (Severe unhappiness, negativity, and lack of motivation are just a couple of my symptoms that I'm hoping to overcome)
Any more info that you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
gabrielle
Posted by dave1 on August 13, 2003, at 13:29:59
In reply to Re: info on ect?, posted by pink123 on August 13, 2003, at 5:51:29
HI,
I'm glad I could help. I certainly felt a big change from my treatments. Unfortunately, I had some 'technical' difficulties doing them. In the first one the doctor kicked me out after four treatments because I went out on pass from the hospital and came back late. The nurses were worried and called the police. When the doctor found out he freaked out.
The second time I did them as an out patient and when I went in for my third treatment they cancelled it because I had something to drink during the night. So, I didn't get a series of 6-8 in a row like your supposed to. The second time they used the diprivan instead of the brevital and thats how I found out it was easier to wake up from.
I've had a few panic attacks as well, but I never had one waking from a treatment. That's probably a good sign for you.
Dave
Posted by galkeepinon on August 14, 2003, at 0:58:41
In reply to info on ect?, posted by pink123 on August 12, 2003, at 14:30:57
Hi again, yes, I had ECT. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I had 9 treatments. What would you like to know? I will help you in any way I can:-)
Gal> I'm new to this, and I'm not sure how it works. I just posted a message to one of the other boards, but I think my message is better suited for "psycho babble" (this one)
>
> Anyway, I'm looking to communicate with people that have had ect.
>
> I'm considering this option as I have disabling depression and can't seem to respond (long term) to any of the psychiatric meds.
>
> During a "depressive episode," I usually can't get out of bed for 6 weeks at a time.
>
> I can't imagine that any treatment could make matters worse.
>
> I understand that memory loss is almost inevitable, but after spending 6 weeks in bed, I don't think there would be much to remember anyway.
>
> I've heard miracle stories about this procedure, but I've never talked directly to someone who has actually had it.
>
> Just looking for answers,
> pink123
Posted by galkeepinon on August 14, 2003, at 1:02:41
In reply to info on ect?, posted by pink123 on August 12, 2003, at 14:30:57
just saw your post:
>>>>How many treatments have you had? Did it improve your depression at all? If so, to what extent? Have you ever had enough relief that you actually feel the least bit happy and/or motivated? (Severe unhappiness, negativity, and lack of motivation are just a couple of my symptoms that I'm hoping to overcome)
*************************************************
Like I said I had 9 treatments. It did improve my depression a little bit at the time (in 2000), but just a little. Anything else, please ask :-)
Gal
Posted by pink123 on August 14, 2003, at 9:46:07
In reply to Re: info on ect? » pink123, posted by galkeepinon on August 14, 2003, at 0:58:41
Thank you! I have so many questions I don't know where to begin.
Also, I am new to this board and still trying to learn how to use it, so forgive me if I won't be able to locate your response.>
Anyway, I guess the most important question is....did it work? Why were you being treated; was it for depression or something else? Did the ect take away your symptoms?
I'm so scared, but I'll do anything to relieve myself of not being able to experience any joy or pleasure whatsoever.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
pink
Hi again, yes, I had ECT. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I had 9 treatments. What would you like to know? I will help you in any way I can:-)
>
>
> Gal
>
>
>
>
>
> > I'm new to this, and I'm not sure how it works. I just posted a message to one of the other boards, but I think my message is better suited for "psycho babble" (this one)
> >
> > Anyway, I'm looking to communicate with people that have had ect.
> >
> > I'm considering this option as I have disabling depression and can't seem to respond (long term) to any of the psychiatric meds.
> >
> > During a "depressive episode," I usually can't get out of bed for 6 weeks at a time.
> >
> > I can't imagine that any treatment could make matters worse.
> >
> > I understand that memory loss is almost inevitable, but after spending 6 weeks in bed, I don't think there would be much to remember anyway.
> >
> > I've heard miracle stories about this procedure, but I've never talked directly to someone who has actually had it.
> >
> > Just looking for answers,
> > pink123
>
>
Posted by Dave1 on August 14, 2003, at 10:44:24
In reply to Re: info on ect?, posted by pink123 on August 14, 2003, at 9:46:07
You could try www.ect.org. Although I didn't find it particularly helpful.
Dave
Posted by galkeepinon on August 15, 2003, at 3:20:12
In reply to Re: info on ect?, posted by pink123 on August 14, 2003, at 9:46:07
Hi pink, In my opinion-YES-it did work for me. It was for major depression when all other medications had failed me at that time. This was in 1999 before Lexapro came out-which is what I am on now. So far, so good for the depression anyway-the side effects well........The worst thing about ECT for me was that I lost half my memory from the 2 years before I had the 9 treatments done. This really sucked-BIG TIME. It has affected my family a lot and it's a shame. If someone offered to pay me a million or billion or a lifetime salary for the rest of my life to do ECT again I would answer with a quick response of NO WAY!!! It is scary. They sedate you, give you a muscle relaxer (which was the ONLY best part;)) and when you wake up-your memory is shot.
Remember this is only MY experience-others may have had a more pleasant one.
Anything else I can answer-just ask.Take care.
Posted by Dave1 on August 16, 2003, at 15:37:52
In reply to Re: info on ect? » pink123, posted by galkeepinon on August 15, 2003, at 3:20:12
Hi,
I had a few questions about your ECTs also.
1. Where they bilateral or unilateral?
2. Did they give you anything so you wouldn't relapse - medications or maintenance ECT. Did you relapse?
3. Why did losing your memory bother you so much? Was it total loss or just partial. When I did it I had a partial memory loss for the events several months before and after, but it really didn't bother. Is this the main reason you wouldn't do it again?
The main reason I don't want to do it again is that waking confused and disoriented really bothered me. I don't know if it bothered you also.
Thanks,
Dave
Posted by judy1 on August 16, 2003, at 20:22:32
In reply to info on ect?, posted by pink123 on August 12, 2003, at 14:30:57
Hi,
We've had numerous threads on ECT here. Since you're new just go towards the top of this page and there's a search option- type in ECT and I think there's about 1000 posts on the subject. If I remember correctly when I was considering it (not me really, my pdoc) the consensus seemed to be against it mainly because of the memory loss- something that would be greatly troubling to me also.
best of luck in whatever you choose- judy
Posted by galkeepinon on August 17, 2003, at 3:54:11
In reply to Re: info on ect? » galkeepinon, posted by Dave1 on August 16, 2003, at 15:37:52
Hi Dave, My ECT's were unilateral I didn't have any maintenance, just medication and therapy. I didn't relapse-just keep fighting-so to speak. Depression is a day to day fight, I think, but it doesn't have to be, but it is hard I won't lie. My memory loss was partial, but along with that memory loss were a lot of good memories which was sad-the bad memories I didn't care that I lost. The worst thing was when my family would talk about something and I would say " when did that happen" or "I don't remember that" and they would look at me-knowing it was because of my ECT's. :-( I felt more bad for them than me. Yes, waking disoriented and confused did bother me-but that went away within a few hours after each treatment. Why I wouldn't do it again is because I am now very frightened about *going under* because that's what they did 3 days a week 9 times and it was scary looking back now-so I wouldn't do it again.
Hope this helped?
> Hi,
>
> I had a few questions about your ECTs also.
>
> 1. Where they bilateral or unilateral?
>
> 2. Did they give you anything so you wouldn't relapse - medications or maintenance ECT. Did you relapse?
>
> 3. Why did losing your memory bother you so much? Was it total loss or just partial. When I did it I had a partial memory loss for the events several months before and after, but it really didn't bother. Is this the main reason you wouldn't do it again?
>
> The main reason I don't want to do it again is that waking confused and disoriented really bothered me. I don't know if it bothered you also.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dave
This is the end of the thread.
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