Posted by OldSchool on March 25, 2002, at 15:17:51
In reply to Re: ECT and epilepsy » OldSchool, posted by Bob on March 25, 2002, at 14:35:19
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> > Yes, ECT does generally make it harder to have seizures the more ECTs you have. I have read a few things on medline that propose ECT could be a possible treatment for refractory epilepsy. Of course, you also get the other side of the coin, that chronic ECT administration causes epilepsy to develop over time. You read this a lot over on the hysterical sounding anti-ECT websites (scientology/CCHR run possibly?).
> >
> > This is my main worry about having ECT, that it will make me become epileptic over time. Which I do not need anymore medical problems. However, I am going with my own gut feeling that this epilepsy thing relation to ECT is mostly bullshit. I have discussed it with my psychiatrists and they told me it wouldnt happen.
> >
> > the only way to know for sure is to take the plunge and have a session of ECTs. Im willing to live with the consequences good or bad.
> >
> > Remember that the new experimental VNS implant was originally developed for refractory epilepsy and seems to work quite well. When used for refractory depression, it does the same thing, pushes up the seizure threshhold, which obviously seems to have some antidepressant qualities. However the VNS implant accomplishes this without inducing the seizure...a sly way to accomplish the same objective as ECT.
> >
> > Also keep in mind that ALL antidepressants carry with them a mini small chance of inducing seizures. yet it never happens to anyone, unless maybe they were epileptic to begin with.
> >
> > Somehow I have the gut feeling that most of this epilepsy with ECT garbage is pushed as a hysterical fear sort of claim by the usual anti-psychiatry crowd to gain support for banning ECT.
> >
> > Old School
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> I don't know what just happened with that post, but I'm going to try again. Just a few questions for you:
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> 1 - Are you going to reduce or curtail any of your psychoactive meds for the course of the treatments? I understand they don't like you to be on a lot of different meds while undergoing the treatments. Also, things like lithium are verboten.
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> 2 - What is your plan for maintenance after the treatments? Are you planning to go on an already decided cocktail, or are you considering maintenance ECT treatments?I have no idea about the above questions right now. I will get to it when I am there. I KNOW I will not follow up with any kind of tricyclic antidepressant however, as TCAs do not agree with me anymore.
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> 3 - It seems that you've done some research into VNS. Have you considered trying to get one of those devices?Yeah, its still experimental right now. Its not as effective as ECT, but more consistent. Currently the only way to get one is to enroll in one of the VNS clinical trials and Im not gonna do that Im burned out on clinical trials.
Im just gonna do ECT and not worry about it and see where things go. I have given the thought of starting an MAOI when Im inpatient this time, I might be able to handle it inpatient if I go the first few days inpatient on an MAOI. Just dont know yet.
Old School
poster:OldSchool
thread:100045
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020322/msgs/100072.html