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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meltingpot on February 4, 2015, at 8:10:29
Hi,
I'm Denise from the UK. I haven't been on this board for a long time.
But I thought as I've often asked people about their experience with ECT over the years I thought I'd now offer mine.
Since 2001 I've pushed psychiatrists to let me try ECT but they've always refused on the grounds that my depression/anxiety isn't the type to respond to ECT. Also, I've been scared of the horror stories I've heard about it so haven't pushed for it that hard.
I do partially respond to antidepressants but never like I did in my 20s when I experienced profound relief in a short space of time. So I've always lived in hope that ECT would be the magic bullet. That the effects would be as good as the effects of antidepressants in my 20s and that I'd never need antidepressants after stopping it.
I finally managed to persuade a psychiatrist to let me "try it" (sounds odd I know). I had 8 treatments, the first three or four were unilateral and because they didn't seem to do anything I asked the ECT Doctor to switch to bilateral. My psychiatrists stopped the treatments because they weren't having any affect at all.
I worked part time during the treatments, I don't think I had (or have had) any major problems with my memory because of it but they didn't seem to help at all and I'm surprised that ECT is considered the gold standard treatment for depression (maybe just not for mine). I must say that I felt particularly horrible, really scared when coming round after ECT but that feeling passed after about half an hour after I came round.
I'm glad I tried it and I don't feel they affected me badly.
I also must say though whilst having it my depression wasn't too bad as the antidepressants help me somewhat anyway (just not enough)
Denise
Posted by ed_uk2010 on February 4, 2015, at 8:33:14
In reply to My experience with ECT, posted by Meltingpot on February 4, 2015, at 8:10:29
Hi Denise,
It is a long time since you've posted. Thanks for sharing your story. It's a shame ECT didn't work better. You were brave to go ahead and try it though.
Do you still benefit from taking olanzapine 'as required'? ....I don't think I imagined that :)
Posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2015, at 8:58:57
In reply to Re: My experience with ECT, posted by ed_uk2010 on February 4, 2015, at 8:33:14
Denise I also remember you. So sorry the ECT didn't seem to help. Are you still working? Phillipa
Posted by Meltingpot on February 4, 2015, at 10:49:37
In reply to Re: My experience with ECT, posted by ed_uk2010 on February 4, 2015, at 8:33:14
Hi Ed,
How are you? Sorry not had chance yet to go through the threads on this board to find out. yes, I suppose it was brave of me but I think the worst thing I've ever had to go through has been depression, suicidal thoughts etc so I didn't think it could be as bad as that.
Yes, I am still taking 10mg Olanzapine every week and it has been a God Send. I even managed to withdraw of the Seroxat without awful withdrawal affects by taking a small amount of Zyprexa every day.
Denise
Posted by Meltingpot on February 4, 2015, at 10:51:11
In reply to Re: My experience with ECT, posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2015, at 8:58:57
Hi Pippa,
Yes I am still working. Not enjoying it that much but at least I can work. I'm doing a degree as well and fostering kittens for the Cats Protection.
How are you doing?
Denise
Posted by ed_uk2010 on February 4, 2015, at 11:26:41
In reply to Re: To Ed, posted by Meltingpot on February 4, 2015, at 10:49:37
Hi there,
I'm not too bad thanks. It's good to hear from you. Sounds like you're doing quite well.
Do you take an antidepressant at the moment?
Posted by Meltingpot on February 4, 2015, at 11:28:12
In reply to Re: To Ed » Meltingpot, posted by ed_uk2010 on February 4, 2015, at 11:26:41
Hi Ed,
Yes, I'm still taking 40mg of Seroxat. Are you taking anything? Are you able to work?
Denise
Posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2015, at 20:49:00
In reply to Re: To Pippa, posted by Meltingpot on February 4, 2015, at 10:51:11
Wow you are doing a lot. Must mean that you could be better than you feel you are. Still the same job at work? Phillipa
Posted by Meltingpot on February 5, 2015, at 8:34:19
In reply to Re: To Pippa » Meltingpot, posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2015, at 20:49:00
Hi,
No, I'm working on another contract. The Zyprexa has helped me a lot. Today, I'm at work and feel very sick and quite depressed and it's knowing that the Zyprexa is there (which seems to help with the sickness and all the other horrible symptoms) which helps me.
I will send you a message on the social babble to find out what you have been up to.
Denise
This is the end of the thread.
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