![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tim Franklin on February 4, 1999, at 22:14:37
As I am a psychotherapist I am unable to prescribe medication and must rely on other practitioners to prescribe for my patients which,for the most part,has been satisfactory. However, one chronically depressed patient has not responded to any medication combination or regime in well over 6 years. Pt. is unable to work, his marriage is about to end as his wife(also now depressed and the mother of 2 small children)can no longer tolerate the situation. As a last resort I am suggesting ECT but the psychiatrist in charge of his medication remains reluctant to pursue this course. My question: at what point do you admit that psychotropic meds dont do the job and try ECT?
Posted by Elizabeth on February 5, 1999, at 19:04:54
In reply to lack of success for patient, posted by Tim Franklin on February 4, 1999, at 22:14:37
Tim,
Has the patient been depressed the entire 6 years, or intermittently, and do you know which types of medications he has tried?
What is the doctor suggesting as an alternative to ECT?
One possible reason the doctor may be reluctant to recommend ECT is that the particular type of depression may be one that is not known to respond to ECT.
Yeah, I know, I'm mostly just asking more questions, rather than providing answers - sorry. :-}
Posted by Wayne R. on February 7, 1999, at 6:16:33
In reply to Re: lack of success for patient, posted by Elizabeth on February 5, 1999, at 19:04:54
I have been under treatment for depression for 30 years. I would respond well to most medications only to have them poop out in a short time. I was hospitalized 3 times and had 14 bi-lateral ECT treatments during one. The memory loss was horrible and the results short lived. However, my life has recently changed. See my posting "Naltrexone for SSRI poop out" to see what worked for THIS patient... Wayne
Posted by Tim Franklin on February 9, 1999, at 22:36:42
In reply to Re: lack of success for patient, posted by Elizabeth on February 5, 1999, at 19:04:54
> Tim,
>
> Has the patient been depressed the entire 6 years, or intermittently, and do you know which types of medications he has tried?
>
> What is the doctor suggesting as an alternative to ECT?
>
> One possible reason the doctor may be reluctant to recommend ECT is that the particular type of depression may be one that is not known to respond to ECT.
>
> Yeah, I know, I'm mostly just asking more questions, rather than providing answers - sorry. :-}
Pt. has received virtually all of the ssris plus lithium, MAOs, depakote and soon to start Celexa. Dr. says he is reluctant to start ECT for the usual reasons NOT because this depression may not respond to ECT. Dr is not suggesting any alternatives to ECT other than more medications which(as i have noted) have been ineffective fo 6 years. Yes, pt. has been depressed for all 6 years no remission. Did poop out on Prozac after initial success(about 3-4 months).
Thanks for your response.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.