Posted by Ritch on December 29, 2002, at 10:26:19
In reply to Re: ECT and headaches » Ritch, posted by Chloe on December 28, 2002, at 20:37:46
> Hi Mitch!
> How's it going? I am glad you mentioned that you "wouldn't mess with stopping the ECT." I was thinking that would be one way to "cure" the headaches! But I think you are right. ECT has been so beneficial to me. I don't want to abruptly end this very productive treatment session I have had. I feel so lucky, something has finally worked for me, after all these years, and med trials, etc, etc.
>
> The headaches last about two days. And they are quite intense. If I bend over my brain throbs. If I sneeze (ouch!) or strain in anyway, I have to stop whatever I am doing and freeze to manage the mounting pain. I took 3) 200 mgs Advil at work today and I did get a little relief. I think when I was having ECT frequently, I was unable to work, so maybe I was resting more after a treatment??? Hence avoiding a headache??? I don't think the ECT is any different...
>
> I have stuck with the T3. But I think I need more. I am sooo tired alot of the time. T3 has some nice AD qualities and boosts my energy level(it also initially caused anxiety, but that seems to go away after a few days).
> I haven't had another blood level drawn b/c my pdoc didn't do much with the first level. My T4 was borderline low and so was the T3. She said since they are on the "borderline" I should just go by how I feel, not a number. I was very disappointed with her answer. Most labs would have called my T4 low. But her hospital thought it was "OK." So maybe when she is back in the new year, I can talk to her more about increasing the thyroid...I am just so sleepy alot of the time. Not depressed, just tired. This is new for me.
> Nice to hear from you and hope you are well,
> Chloe
>
>Hi, it sounds like the type of headache that you get when you have the flu and you are dehydrated and hypotensive. I wonder if withholding the lithium the day of the ECT causes a "blip" in the Li levels that temporarily tinkers with your electrolytes and produces the effect? Maybe you just need to hydrate a little more afterwards with some Gatorade or something. If they are just two days out of the month that isn't too bad. Interesting that you say not depressed, just tired! That sums up most of my problems. I shouldn't whine too much, I've probably been more stable these last two depressive spells than I ever have. I'm really glad you are feeling better! ---Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:133484
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021223/msgs/133641.html