Posted by Racer on June 28, 2008, at 9:39:30
In reply to Electroconvulsive Therapy???, posted by maoi_wowee on June 27, 2008, at 22:55:57
Before you look into ECT, look into rTMS, which seems to be effective and somewhat more benign.
Also, IATWalrus is absolutely correct -- any such decision should not be made lightly, and should be the last resort. If you have a bad reaction, or find you cannot finish the treatments, you may find yourself feeling much worse. In fact, I'd go so far as to consider it only if your doctor suggests it.
There are so many medications out there, so many possible combinations, that most of us have not come within visual range of having tried "all of them." (SLS has posted that he's tried something like sixty medications over the years -- and I have never seen him sounding as though he'd given up, or thought there was nothing left to try.) There are combinations out there that require imagination on the part of the doctor, and on the part of the patient. Have you heard about short courses of low dose dexamethosone? How about adding thyroid supplements, or lithium? There are almost certainly options out there you haven't considered yet.
And if you're getting towards the end of the easily available medications, how about therapy? It won't be as easy as taking a pill, and it won't be as immediately effective, but it can still help a great deal. If you haven't been in therapy lately, I strongly recommend trying it before you even consider ECT. If nothing else, you can process your feelings and your potential options with the help of a professional.
Good luck.
poster:Racer
thread:836895
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080626/msgs/836955.html