Posted by Pfinstegg on January 19, 2007, at 10:49:46
In reply to Re: Is ECT all that is left?, posted by Karen44 on January 13, 2007, at 17:58:28
What about rTMS? At the moment, you can only get it "off-label" from Dr. Steven Best, near Chicago or Dr Mark Hutto of Atlanta, but FDA approval is expected very soon. I feel I am a veteran in a sense, having had it ten times from Dr. Hutto since 2003. I haven't had any side-effects at all, and although it hurts, one codeine helps enough. All of my depressive feelings disappear for several weeks, and then begin gradually returning. You drive in, have it, and drive out 20 minutes later- no cognitive side effects whatsoever. I took an initial course of it once daily for three weeks; for maintenance, I have 2-4 treatments (two a day, so it goes faster) every few months. It really helps! Because I had such a good response, my pdoc sent two other treatment-resistant patients to Dr. Hutto; they both had equally good responses. We all take medication, too, but not a lot: for me it's 600 mg. of Lithium and Cytomel. I think I am walking proof-four years worth of it anyway, that this is a very safe, effective treatment.
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:722043
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070119/msgs/723995.html