Posted by jerrympls on May 18, 2005, at 20:27:35
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » jerrympls, posted by Bob on May 12, 2005, at 10:00:23
>
> > Hi Bob
> > Good questions you raise. I don't think my ECT treatment was considered an "emergency" treatment - it was more of a last resort becuase I wasn't responding to traditional meds. After ECT my depression got much worse and I started having panic attacks - which I had NOT had prior to treatment. I've had more "suicidal ideation" since my ECT - much much more so than prior to the treatments. I also have been in the hospital more (in psych wards) than before my ECT too. I've never attempted suicide - but have come very close. Currently I'm on a med cocktail that has kept me pretty stable and out of deep periods of severe depression. I currently take Lexapro, Klonopin, Dexedrine and hydrocodone. Yes, an opiate. My doc finally agreed to prescribe it for me and it's worked wonders - no miracle cure - but very close to "normal" and I'm able to work. I've been on opiate therapy for my depression for about 5-6 months now? and have had no problems with tolerance or abuse.
> >
> > Jerry
> >
>
> Jerry:
>
> Once again, you've raised a few more questions for me.
>
> When you say you "weren't responding to traditional meds", does that mean they just weren't changing how you felt, or were they doing unpleasant things both psychologically and somatically? For me, it got to the point where my body was having extreme problems and experiencing all kinds of physical side effects.?They were doing both. I would have semi-partial responses with A LOT of side effects. I was on many med cocktails that just left me lethargic and cloudy. Finally the doc said: "Well, let's try Dexedrine before ECT." That worked really well for me - but he only kept me on it for 3 months or so - then took me off for reasons I can't recall and I was MORE depressed than ever. This was back in the early 1990's. I went into the hospital for the first time for the ECT treatments. A month after the treatments I was back in w/ severe anxiety and suicial ideation. They kept me in for a week.
>
> If you were having physical reactions to the meds before ECT, I guess it's safe to assume that you are not going through that now?I'm not sure what you mean exactly - but let me answer how I think you're wanting me to answer. I don't know if it's because I've been on so many meds over the years or what, but I rarely experience the side effects as strongly as I did many years ago. Also, I still only get semi-partial responses to meds. The best combo has been an SSRI + Stimulant + Benzo.
>
> My therapist told me the other day that her recent experiences have shown that hospitals rarely keep people for more than a day or two if you go there claiming you are suicidal. Did you find this to be true? I asked her who goes in the psych ward, and she couldn't really tell me. She said that as soon as you say you are not currently suicidal, they check you out!Hmm. Not from my experiences. Every time I've been in the minimum was 1 week - even if you said you weren't suicidal anymore. Plus, of the suicidal many "fellow-patients" that I got to know, most were kept in at least 2 weeks or longer. Some had been there at least a month. I guess it depends on the doctor/hospital, etc?
The last time I went in, I wasn't suicidal - I just needed a med change to an MAOI and they wanted to do it inpatient. I was in 2 weeks in order for them to wash out other meds and start me on Nardil.
>
> You said you're working now. How long did you not work? That is a wild drug combo, but it must be working pretty well if you're working.After I graduated college in 1995 - I was in bed for 2 years. Then, I got put on an SSRI + Stim combo and worked for 2 years then slumped back into depression. I finally moved to MN about 5 years ago and have been working ever since - however, my depression has taken a toll on my work attendance. I got protection under the ADA and FLMA through our Disability Services dept. which allowed me to take 12 weeks off last summer for another med change. However, since October 2004 when I went back to work, I've missed on average at least 1 day /week. Fortunately my employer has been accomodating allowing me to make up missed time, etc. Now, I'm seriously thinking about going to grad school.
>
> Last question: how much Klonopin are you taking? Have you ever noticed a difference between Klonopin, and the generic Clonazepam? I've heard from some sources that the generic is possibly "dirtier".I take 1mg 4x daily. It's the generic. I've never had the brand name so I can't tell you the difference.
Hope this helps!
>
> Bob
>
>
poster:jerrympls
thread:495223
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050516/msgs/499628.html