Posted by OldSchool on March 26, 2002, at 10:30:39
In reply to Re: Gonna do ECT for sure- Me too, posted by Mags on March 25, 2002, at 23:49:17
> Hi Old School, We will have to compare notes.Pls let me know your date you start. I have to get off lamictal first and then I go for it.
>
> I will be lucky as I go to my local hospital for at least 12 Bilateral. My doc says same as you , don't bother with unilateral, go for bilateral and I know exactly what you mean about memory! What memory...depression sucks the memory right outta ya!
> Good Luck
>
> MagsI dont have a date yet as I havent even seen the shock doc for a consult yet. But Ive decided I am definitely going to do it soon. Its been discussed many times with my regular psychiatrist and he thinks its a good idea. I have a few things I must do first, like get my blood pressure under control good, lately its not been under control. Also, I think I will need a MRI or some kind of scan to check out some back pain Ive had for years but ignored. I get shooting pains down my right side on and off, all the way to my toes sometimes. Its probably a herniated disk. Its not severe or anything and I just ignore it. But I dont want to have ECT til its checked out, as ECT has the reputation for causing back trouble. Im not worried about it.
As for unilateral, my attitude about it after reading and researching ECT for six months is why waste your time? They have to do a titration procedure for unilateral your first treatment, to find out the right dosage of electricity to use on you, which basically means your first treatment is a waste. With bilateral there is no initial titration procedure, everything is set and known ahead of time and your first treatment is good quality convulsion. Plus bilateral is much stronger.
As for memory, yes my memory is already shot from years of severe depression. I have "brain fog" all the time, Im always in a cognitive haze and have been so for four years. I frankly do not care if ECT causes memory loss, even if its severe.
My only concern is the inducement of epilepsy, which I think is overhyped by reading about it over on the anti-ECT websites. I could care less about memory loss.
take care,
Old school
poster:OldSchool
thread:99962
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020322/msgs/100274.html