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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by chiron on June 10, 2006, at 9:06:48
Yesterday I just finished my 6th treatment and I just wanted to supply some positive feedback on this board for it.
Posted by blueberry on June 10, 2006, at 10:19:24
In reply to ECT - glad I did it, posted by chiron on June 10, 2006, at 9:06:48
I've been thinking about ECT. Though it seems to get a bad rap, top psychiatrists say it is the fastest most effective thing there is. I guess the main drawback is the high relapse rate without ongoing medication and/or ECT maintenance treatment. Critics say we don't know longterm consequences of ECT, as if longterm consequences of strange chemicals in the brain are supposedly not without harm.
Could you tell me more about ECT? When did you feel improvements? What kind of improvements? How's the memory loss? Does it cost a lot?
> Yesterday I just finished my 6th treatment and I just wanted to supply some positive feedback on this board for it.
Posted by Karen44 on June 10, 2006, at 17:15:28
In reply to Re: ECT - glad I did it » chiron, posted by blueberry on June 10, 2006, at 10:19:24
> I've been thinking about ECT. Though it seems to get a bad rap, top psychiatrists say it is the fastest most effective thing there is. I guess the main drawback is the high relapse rate without ongoing medication and/or ECT maintenance treatment. Critics say we don't know longterm consequences of ECT, as if longterm consequences of strange chemicals in the brain are supposedly not without harm.
>I would be interested too in terms of memory loss. My job is such that I cannot afford to lose memory. I was recommended to do ECT a year ago and refused because of my job. I continue to be depressed on Parnate, something that worked in the past. And, I have had either drug reactions or adverse reacations to everything from Remoran to Cymbalta to Zoloft to Elavil to Ludiomil to you name it.
> Could you tell me more about ECT? When did you feel improvements? What kind of improvements? How's the memory loss? Does it cost a lot?
>
> > Yesterday I just finished my 6th treatment and I just wanted to supply some positive feedback on this board for it.
>
>
Posted by linkadge on June 10, 2006, at 19:06:44
In reply to Re: ECT - glad I did it, posted by Karen44 on June 10, 2006, at 17:15:28
>top psychiatrists say it is the fastest most >effective thing there is.
There is no conscencious. Some top psychiatrists believe this, while others do not. I have spoken to a few top psychiatrists who strongly advise against ECT.
Linkadge
Posted by Jost on June 10, 2006, at 19:37:35
In reply to Re: ECT - glad I did it, posted by Karen44 on June 10, 2006, at 17:15:28
Hi, Karen.
Since parnate worked for you, have you considered trying emsam?
I used parnate for a few years, and it was somewhat effective, although it make me extremely tired. Then I ran into a problem and had to stop. Now I'm on emsam, with so far good results.
Everyone has to decide what the stakes are, but ECT is unpredictable. It works for some, with minor, or transient memory loss.
However, a good friend of mine had it, and suffered complete memory loss for several months of her life, as well as some other really disturbing effects, which happily remitted over time.
There was an NPR show on the subject of memory loss with ECT a couple months ago. The program was an episode of an ongoing one called "The Infinite Mind." It might be on a archive on their website, if you would want to look it up.
Jost
Posted by linkadge on June 10, 2006, at 21:06:30
In reply to Re: ECT - glad I did it, posted by Jost on June 10, 2006, at 19:37:35
I agree, it is unpredictable. I met a lady in the hospital who had it and claims that most of her memory of childhood and teen years are completely erased. It also didn't work for her.
One is taking a risk. If the ECT doesn't work, there can *sometimes* be a tendancy to into a more severe depression.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2006, at 21:35:35
In reply to Re: ECT - glad I did it, posted by linkadge on June 10, 2006, at 21:06:30
I'd be more depressed too if I could not remember my life. Love Phillipa
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on June 10, 2006, at 22:21:57
In reply to Re: ECT - glad I did it, posted by Karen44 on June 10, 2006, at 17:15:28
I dont see any. All I know is that it was your 6th treatment.
Posted by Karen44 on June 10, 2006, at 23:40:19
In reply to Re: ECT - glad I did it, posted by Jost on June 10, 2006, at 19:37:35
> Hi, Karen.
>
> Since parnate worked for you, have you considered trying emsam?
>
> I used parnate for a few years, and it was somewhat effective, although it make me extremely tired. Then I ran into a problem and had to stop. Now I'm on emsam, with so far good results.
>
> Everyone has to decide what the stakes are, but ECT is unpredictable. It works for some, with minor, or transient memory loss.
>
> However, a good friend of mine had it, and suffered complete memory loss for several months of her life, as well as some other really disturbing effects, which happily remitted over time.
>
> There was an NPR show on the subject of memory loss with ECT a couple months ago. The program was an episode of an ongoing one called "The Infinite Mind." It might be on a archive on their website, if you would want to look it up.
>
> Jost
>
>
>
>
>
>
Thanks for your post; since I often have to testify in court related to cases from as long as one year ago, I am even more reluctant now to consider ECT. Plus I have since had cervical spine surgery (last year) and have a plate and pins in my neck. I would not want that messed up either.Karen
Posted by chiron on June 11, 2006, at 21:00:00
In reply to Re: Where is the positive feedback?, posted by UgottaHaveHope on June 10, 2006, at 22:21:57
The positive feedback is for the first time in my life I feel positive about living. I actually feel like doing things (volunteering, etc.) I'm even sending a Thank You card to my psychiatrist. I have a very trustworthy caring dr. who works with the anesthesiologist while I am out.
If you are worried about memory loss then ECT might not be for you. I think the patches of memory loss are events that happened around the time of my ECT treatment. A lifetime of misery vs. memory loss...not a hard one for me. I will continue taking meds and will probably need ect maintenance.
My mom thanked me twice for having the courage to do the ECT, she can see a definite improvement.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on June 12, 2006, at 1:35:54
In reply to Re: Where is the positive feedback?, posted by chiron on June 11, 2006, at 21:00:00
Cheers to you feeling better? What are you diagnosed with? Bipolar? Tell us more of your story. You are an inspiration.
Posted by Denise190466 on June 12, 2006, at 7:10:38
In reply to Re: Where is the positive feedback?, posted by chiron on June 11, 2006, at 21:00:00
Hi Chiron,
How long did it take before you felt the positive benefits and did you have unilateral or bilateral ECT?
Thanks....Denise
Posted by Crazy Horse on June 12, 2006, at 22:27:08
In reply to Re: Where is the positive feedback?, posted by chiron on June 11, 2006, at 21:00:00
> The positive feedback is for the first time in my life I feel positive about living. I actually feel like doing things (volunteering, etc.) I'm even sending a Thank You card to my psychiatrist. I have a very trustworthy caring dr. who works with the anesthesiologist while I am out.
>
> If you are worried about memory loss then ECT might not be for you. I think the patches of memory loss are events that happened around the time of my ECT treatment. A lifetime of misery vs. memory loss...not a hard one for me. I will continue taking meds and will probably need ect maintenance.
> My mom thanked me twice for having the courage to do the ECT, she can see a definite improvement.
>Hi,
I for one commend you for having the courage to have ECT treatments. You did what was right for you. I'm with you..Memory loss or a lifetime of misery, it's a no brainer, you make the best choice and it worked!! Congratulations! I wish you continued success in the years to come. :)Monte
Posted by chiron on June 13, 2006, at 8:45:38
In reply to To Chiron, posted by Denise190466 on June 12, 2006, at 7:10:38
I'm pretty sure I had unilateral. I would say I felt the effects after a couple of times.
Posted by chiron on June 13, 2006, at 8:53:00
In reply to Re: Where is the positive feedback? » chiron, posted by Crazy Horse on June 12, 2006, at 22:27:08
fyi...I didn't forget any of my passwords or how to do my job. I am fuzzy on whether or not I bought my brother a birthday present though.
...and I'm still happy :)
Posted by Denise190466 on June 13, 2006, at 10:56:45
In reply to memory, posted by chiron on June 13, 2006, at 8:53:00
Thanks Chiron,
I hope you're not getting fed up of my incessant questions but what was your diagnosis before having ECT, what type of depression did you have, did you suffer from any physical symptoms and/or anxiety/agitation.
What meds had you tried before having ECT and with what results?
Thanks Again......Denise
Posted by Denise190466 on June 20, 2006, at 6:52:50
In reply to To Chiron, posted by Denise190466 on June 13, 2006, at 10:56:45
Thanks Chiron,
I hope you're not getting fed up of my incessant questions but what was your diagnosis before having ECT, what type of depression did you have, did you suffer from any physical symptoms and/or anxiety/agitation.
What meds had you tried before having ECT and with what results?
Thanks Again......Denise
Posted by chiron on June 20, 2006, at 22:15:17
In reply to Re: To Chiron - Just a few more questions, posted by Denise190466 on June 20, 2006, at 6:52:50
Feel free to ask me questions. I apologize for taking so long to respond. I have a lot of catching up to do so I've been kind of busy. I am still feeling great...it is sooo weird for me.
Type of depression: Pretty much unipolar, ranging from very depressed to mildly depressed. Didn't feel like doing anything most of the time, wanted to die, agitation.
At the time of my hospitalization I was diagnosed with major depression. I also definitely suffered major agitation & anxiety at that time. I even bought an anxiety book. Every moment was painful & agonizing- I felt it in my stomach along with some nausea. I felt worse/crazier if I was alone. Now I look at that book and am blown away that I felt so desperate.What meds had you tried before having ECT and with what results?
I honestly don't remember everything, but here goes:
PROZAC - somewhat helpful, activating (including weight loss)
ZOLOFT - somewhat helpful, activating (including weight loss)
PAXIL - really zoned the first week, didn't like
WELLBUTRIN - felt great for the first couple of days, then it subsided
EFFEXOR - somewhat helpful
ADDERALL - felt great the first week, then more depressed
SEROQUEL - not sure
TRILEPTAL - not sure
SERZONE - not sure, felt 'zoned'
GABITROL - not sure
LAMICTAL - horrific acne
ABILIFY - probably contributed to my breakdown
LITHIUM - the dr put me on it at the hospital, but I'm not sure if it helped.Now I'm only on 90 mg on CYMBALTA (which I started before the ECT).
Let me know if you have any more questions or if you decide to try ECT.
Posted by Denise190466 on June 23, 2006, at 5:09:48
In reply to Re: To Chiron - Just a few more questions » Denise190466, posted by chiron on June 20, 2006, at 22:15:17
Hi Chiron,
I'm really pleased for you.
Thanks so much for getting back to me, you're symptoms sound pretty much like mine, lately I've been getting awful anxiety, it's like I'm suffocating and it's constant and for no reason.
I have a couple more questions for you, I know you said the Lamictal gave you spots but did it help mentally at all.
How many ECT Treatments did you have and are you still having maintenance treatments?
Was the Cymbalta helping you at all before you had ECT and how long had you been taking it before having ECT.
That's the end of my questions (hopefully :-))
I hope you continue to have good results.
Denise
Posted by chiron on June 23, 2006, at 9:27:34
In reply to Re: To Chiron - Just a few more questions, posted by Denise190466 on June 23, 2006, at 5:09:48
I only had 6 treatments. I don't have any maintenance treatments scheduled, but will just watch my mood along with my doctor.
I had only been taking the Cymbalta for a few weeks, but I hadn't noticed anything. I was desperate- my mom would sleep over, or I over there. I would call one of her friends that had had ECT years ago, crying and searching for some hope. Here is an email I sent her:"I am sitting at work right now, feeling down but mostly very sedated from the Seroquel the dr gave me to try and calm my agitation down. Every minute is hard, and I wake up fearful for the day. I don't remember if you said if you were on any meds for that year you were really depressed. Did you wake up every day with anxiety & fear that you would have to get through the whole day & that it would just never end?"
So I understand your searching. The ECT treatments also helped her, and she hasn't had to have any maintenance ones. She told me of another lady that does need maintenance treatments, but they have saved her life and allowed her to become a nurse.
Good luck with your decision! Feel free to continue to ask any questions.
This is the end of the thread.
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