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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CareBear04 on March 8, 2006, at 12:24:05
Has anyone ever had outpatient ECT?
I recently had ECT three times a week as an inpatient, and the doctors are considering outpatient ECT for me. My experience with ECT was that it was really draining-- I would get back and sleep for at least part of the day, maybe because the drugs were still in my system. I can't imagine doing ECT on an outpatient basis. I'm already so exhausted from depression, plus I have no one to take me to and from appointments. Does anyone have any experiences about outpatient ECT or ECT in general to share? Please?
CB
Posted by bipolarspectrum on March 8, 2006, at 14:09:53
In reply to outpatient ECT, posted by CareBear04 on March 8, 2006, at 12:24:05
Hi CB,
I had outpatient ECT... i agree, it is very draining... but i do beleive ur sleepin is due to the anasthetic they give... if you are doing outpatient ect u MUST have someone to transport u to and from the hospital... im surprised they offered it to u without knowing for sure that u had a guaranteed ride... i spent one night as an inpatient and i didnt like it at all... i felt like a typical 'crazy' person.. my neighbour in the room had some sort of serious developmental illness... i think outpatient is best because its difficult to deal with life as an inpatient to begin with, as the inpatient clinic is a very weird environment... but all in all, do whatever u can to get better as fast as u can!
bps> Has anyone ever had outpatient ECT?
> I recently had ECT three times a week as an inpatient, and the doctors are considering outpatient ECT for me. My experience with ECT was that it was really draining-- I would get back and sleep for at least part of the day, maybe because the drugs were still in my system. I can't imagine doing ECT on an outpatient basis. I'm already so exhausted from depression, plus I have no one to take me to and from appointments. Does anyone have any experiences about outpatient ECT or ECT in general to share? Please?
> CB
Posted by CareBear04 on March 8, 2006, at 15:34:21
In reply to Re: outpatient ECT, posted by bipolarspectrum on March 8, 2006, at 14:09:53
hey BPS!
thanks so much for your response and insight. i know you're supposed to have a ride to and from the hospital, so I was surprised when the idea of outpatient ECT was brought up. the only thing is that i work at the hospital i would have the treatments at, so i don't know whether i could have ECT in the morning, rest and eat, and then go to work? or do you think that would be too much to expect of myself? and i don't want the people i work with to know that I'm having ECT, so it would probably be pretty hard to hide that fact, huh?i totally know what you mean about it hard to be in touch with your normal life when you're inpatient. i was inpatient for almost four weeks earlier this year, and it was so hard to readjust to real life when i got out of the hospital.
thanks so much for your input!
CB
Posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2006, at 18:42:26
In reply to Re: outpatient ECT » bipolarspectrum, posted by CareBear04 on March 8, 2006, at 15:34:21
What about the temporary short term memory Loss?Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by deniseuk on March 9, 2006, at 12:15:49
In reply to outpatient ECT, posted by CareBear04 on March 8, 2006, at 12:24:05
Hi,
Did the ECT work for you before then?
Denise
Posted by CareBear04 on March 9, 2006, at 14:02:52
In reply to Re: outpatient ECT, posted by deniseuk on March 9, 2006, at 12:15:49
yes, the ECT worked well for me when i had it inpatient. the drs were impressed by how quickkly and well it worked for me. the problem is whether i can handle the side effects on an outpatient basis...
CB
Posted by CareBear04 on March 9, 2006, at 14:04:18
In reply to Re: outpatient ECT » CareBear04, posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2006, at 18:42:26
hi phillipa,
yeah the short-term memory loss is a potential problem. i have almost no recollection of anything that happened in the hospital during the time i had ECT.
CB
Posted by bipolarspectrum on March 9, 2006, at 17:48:05
In reply to Re: outpatient ECT » deniseuk, posted by CareBear04 on March 9, 2006, at 14:02:52
hey cb,
your definately in an odd situation... i personally hated being an inpatient... the one night i stayed in the hospital they came by every hour to see how i was doing... i couldnt sleep! if i were u, i would not want others in the hospital knowin i was having ect... especially in the work environment, its one thing to tell friends, but another to tell coworkers... and theres no way u can work after ect sessions, no way... ur not suppose to be doing anything... i recommend u even consider taking a taxi to and from the hospital on ect days and speaking to ur boss and informing her/him of the situation... u'd be suprised at the protection the law may offer to u regarding maintaining ur job... if ect works, then u have to make this work...
bps
Posted by CareBear04 on March 10, 2006, at 9:52:30
In reply to Re: outpatient ECT, posted by bipolarspectrum on March 9, 2006, at 17:48:05
thanks bps for your input. yeah, i definitely would not want the whole world knowing that i'm having ECT. i was reluctant to have it at first because it's been so stigmatized, but i'm less scared of it now. still, other people still have the impression that it's a cruel procedure for only the sickest people. thanks for the advice.
CB
Posted by med_empowered on March 12, 2006, at 13:20:13
In reply to Re: outpatient ECT, posted by bipolarspectrum on March 9, 2006, at 17:48:05
hi! are you sure you want ECT? I mean..it does help some people, but it can cause cognitive impairment and memory loss. Also, the relapse rates are apparently quite high.
I dont want to scare you , but ECT is a big deal...perhaps there are other (less damaging) treatments you could try?
Posted by CareBear04 on March 13, 2006, at 10:46:01
In reply to are you sure?, posted by med_empowered on March 12, 2006, at 13:20:13
hi there,
thanks for your post. i'm not sure about the whole ECT thing. I felt the same way you seem to at first, but then i gave in and had six treatments as an inpatient, and i found that it really helped my mood almost immediately. the drs were impressed that after 1-2 treatments, i was already brighter and more sociable. the only bad part is the memory loss. i hardly have any memories from the ECT time. if i were an inpatient, i wouldn't hesitate to go for ECT again because it was helpful and because i wouldn't be missing much by losing my memory. as an outpatient, i'm not sure because i'm currently working, and i'm not sure i can do both at the same time. my dr changed my meds around a little on friday, and i'm trying to see if i can beat this nasty depression through medication and therapy. i dont' currently have a therapist, but i just got referred and called one today. any other recommendations?
thanks,
CB
Posted by deniseuk on March 14, 2006, at 10:48:31
In reply to Re: are you sure? » med_empowered, posted by CareBear04 on March 13, 2006, at 10:46:01
Hi Carebear,
Did you have unilateral or bilateral ECT and what medication are you currently taking?
Thanks.....Denise
Posted by CareBear04 on March 14, 2006, at 12:34:13
In reply to To Carebear, posted by deniseuk on March 14, 2006, at 10:48:31
Hi Denise,
I had six treatments of unilateral ECT.
As for the meds I'm on now, I think the following covers it: Keppra 500mg bid, Prozac 60mg, Dexedrine 20mg tid, Abilify 30mg, Klonopin 3mg, Synthroid 50mcg, Vit. B12, Iron supplements, and Ortho Evra. If you have any comments, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
CB
Posted by deniseuk on March 21, 2006, at 11:50:12
In reply to Re: To Carebear » deniseuk, posted by CareBear04 on March 14, 2006, at 12:34:13
Hi Carebear,
Thanks for the response I don't really have any comments only to say I only had two unilateral treatments but I was capable about two hours afterwards of getting a bus and a train back home.
This doesn't mean to say you will be I guess ECT like medications affects different people in different ways.
I didn't get any benefit from two treatments but am wondering if I had stuck out the whole course whether I would have found any benefit eventually.
Denise
This is the end of the thread.
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