Posted by blueboy on May 21, 2008, at 7:13:36
In reply to Re: How much does ECT cost? » SalArmy4me, posted by BGB on May 18, 2008, at 2:13:57
There is some risk to ECT. I haven't had it, but I was considering it and read a lot of the research.
Unfortunately, both the solid research and the protocols for the procedure are not as extensive as one would hope. You have a few very vocal people who say that it ruined their minds. You have the APA and numerous psychiatrists who swear that the cognitive impairment is almost always temporary and mild to moderate.
All I can tell you is my own take. I would have it rather than commit suicide. I also believe that it is the most effective means of controlling depression.
Be extremely careful to get a good center that does a lot of it, using sine wave and unilateral shock.
Also, please check the advice at the end of my long post yesterday. I'd get a second, specialist expert opinion about my diagnosis and possible medication options.
There are also a growing number of other mechanical therapies. Magnetic brain stimulation, which sounds ridiculous, apparently has some actual merit. Vagus nerve stimulation, I don't know anything about. Deep brain electrode stimulation, while it must be hugely expensive and invasive, appears to be very successful
My pdoc, who is a decent guy and tries to be honest with me, said he has a patient with difficult, treatment-resistant depression who just had enormous success with ECT. Full remission of symptoms and the guy is ready to go back to work (he's a nurse, so obviously his memory is functioning well if he can work).
I hope you won't do the suicide thing. As you say, aside from the obvious downside, it really does mess up everyone else.
poster:blueboy
thread:56897
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080519/msgs/830274.html