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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JahL on April 7, 2003, at 10:24:33
Hi.
I'm due to begin a 4 week course of ECT tomorrow (for Bipolar NOS) and I was wondering if anyone else is in the same boat?
Anyone care to share their experience? How was the actual procedure?
My only real concern is possible memory loss.
On a more technical note, does anyone have any idea how the dose of barbituates given for the ECT general compares with the sort of barbituate dose given for, say, a 3 hour operation? When I had a severed tendon operated on, the general left me extremely depressed (even more so than normal).
Ta,
Jah.
Posted by JahL on April 8, 2003, at 6:43:22
In reply to Anyone had ECT lately?, posted by JahL on April 7, 2003, at 10:24:33
Not sure what all the fuss is about. Seems to be a pretty benign procedure really.
Nice pre-med...deep sleep...came round perfectly compes mentis, if a little disorientated to begin with. Memory only slightly hazy.
One down, seven to go...
Posted by Dave1 on April 8, 2003, at 10:33:22
In reply to Re: Yes, I have. » JahL, posted by JahL on April 8, 2003, at 6:43:22
What kind are you getting unilateral or bilateral?
Dave
Posted by Krissy P on April 8, 2003, at 21:17:37
In reply to Anyone had ECT lately?, posted by JahL on April 7, 2003, at 10:24:33
Hi JahL,
I have had ECT. It was scary as hell, and I lost a lot of my short term memory. Sorry I don't have a more positive post about ECT. It did help with a few things though-so I can't say it was terrible.All the best,
Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Hi.
>
> I'm due to begin a 4 week course of ECT tomorrow (for Bipolar NOS) and I was wondering if anyone else is in the same boat?
>
> Anyone care to share their experience? How was the actual procedure?
>
> My only real concern is possible memory loss.
>
> On a more technical note, does anyone have any idea how the dose of barbituates given for the ECT general compares with the sort of barbituate dose given for, say, a 3 hour operation? When I had a severed tendon operated on, the general left me extremely depressed (even more so than normal).
>
> Ta,
> Jah.
Posted by Krissy P on April 8, 2003, at 21:19:11
In reply to Anyone had ECT lately?, posted by JahL on April 7, 2003, at 10:24:33
Please do keep us posted on this, I am really interested in your turnout with the ECT, I had 9 treatments.
Take care
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Hi.
>
> I'm due to begin a 4 week course of ECT tomorrow (for Bipolar NOS) and I was wondering if anyone else is in the same boat?
>
> Anyone care to share their experience? How was the actual procedure?
>
> My only real concern is possible memory loss.
>
> On a more technical note, does anyone have any idea how the dose of barbituates given for the ECT general compares with the sort of barbituate dose given for, say, a 3 hour operation? When I had a severed tendon operated on, the general left me extremely depressed (even more so than normal).
>
> Ta,
> Jah.
Posted by jerrympls on April 9, 2003, at 0:15:20
In reply to Re: Anyone had ECT lately? » JahL, posted by Krissy P on April 8, 2003, at 21:19:11
I've had ECT - however, not recently. But I can hopefully help calm any anxieties going into the procedure. They knock you out- not sure with what - but one of the main meds is the muscle relaxant - a pretty hefty one so you don't hurt anything when the siezure is initiated. I usually get depressed from being knocked out myself - however, this did not happen after my ECT treatments.
You'll find the memory loss varies greatly from person to person - however, I would guess you'll most likely lose the memories surround each procedure. Some people have had more extensive memory loss with some regaining most of it after a couple months. My pdoc explained that ECT "resets your brain chemistry..." so some memories are gonna get knocked around. Again - it varies from person to person. From people I've talked to who have had ECT, it seems that artists/musicians seem to be the most bothered by memory the loss.
The only thing that bothered me after recovering from a treatment was a bad headache - which Tylenol helped fine.
I think I had 6 or 8 bilateral treatments. Unfortunately it took more of my memory than I'd have liked and only gave me a "buzz" for about a month. I've read many people do great with maintenance ECT - say one treatment each month after your initial round of 6-10 starting treatments.
Also, there are varying reports/research supporting bilateral treatments vs. unilateral.
My treatments were approx. 7 years ago and they were far from barbaric or scarey. So take a couple deep breaths and cross your fingers. I sincerely hope ECT helps you!!!!
All the best-
Jerry
Posted by Krissy P on April 9, 2003, at 1:56:13
In reply to Re: Anyone had ECT lately?, posted by jerrympls on April 9, 2003, at 0:15:20
I agree with this right here>>>>
>>>" so some memories are gonna get knocked around"
that's exactly what happened when I did ECT and in fact, the memories that came "up" ECT helped me to deal with them better-they were more vivid-I could work through them and thus it turned out ok. The ST memory loss is what bothers me today-23years after the treatments.
I wish you all the best, God BLess,
Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> I've had ECT - however, not recently. But I can hopefully help calm any anxieties going into the procedure. They knock you out- not sure with what - but one of the main meds is the muscle relaxant - a pretty hefty one so you don't hurt anything when the siezure is initiated. I usually get depressed from being knocked out myself - however, this did not happen after my ECT treatments.
>
> You'll find the memory loss varies greatly from person to person - however, I would guess you'll most likely lose the memories surround each procedure. Some people have had more extensive memory loss with some regaining most of it after a couple months. My pdoc explained that ECT "resets your brain chemistry..." so some memories are gonna get knocked around. Again - it varies from person to person. From people I've talked to who have had ECT, it seems that artists/musicians seem to be the most bothered by memory the loss.
>
> The only thing that bothered me after recovering from a treatment was a bad headache - which Tylenol helped fine.
>
> I think I had 6 or 8 bilateral treatments. Unfortunately it took more of my memory than I'd have liked and only gave me a "buzz" for about a month. I've read many people do great with maintenance ECT - say one treatment each month after your initial round of 6-10 starting treatments.
>
> Also, there are varying reports/research supporting bilateral treatments vs. unilateral.
>
> My treatments were approx. 7 years ago and they were far from barbaric or scarey. So take a couple deep breaths and cross your fingers. I sincerely hope ECT helps you!!!!
>
> All the best-
> Jerry
>
Posted by Dave1 on April 9, 2003, at 13:23:52
In reply to Anyone had ECT lately?, posted by JahL on April 7, 2003, at 10:24:33
Hi,
I had it and it helped but I also got a weird bad feeling from it. I thought if I did it again I woukd try the high dose unilaterals instead of bilaterals so maybe I wouldn't get the bad feeling. I also didn't get any follow-ups so I relapsed pretty fast.
Regarding, the anesthesias you should ask for the non-barbituate anesthesia propofol. It is MUCH easier to wake up from and doesn't effect the efficacy of the treatments although some doctors would argue otherwise. They've done studies though that show it doesn't matter if you use propofol. Check PUBMED/MEDLINE.
Dave
Posted by mags on April 9, 2003, at 22:36:51
In reply to Re: Anyone had ECT lately?, posted by Dave1 on April 9, 2003, at 13:23:52
I had 9 bi-lateral ECT's a year ago. Unfortunately they did not help me, but there were many in the hospital that had great results. I ALWAYS seem to react odd to meds and treatment. My doc and the nurses were very surprised that I could remember everything leading up to the treatments but memories from a year or two before, I had lost. I found this very disturbing as I hadn't counted on it.
The treatments were very straight forward and the only probs I had were headache.....
good luck!
Posted by jerrympls on April 10, 2003, at 0:36:44
In reply to Re: Anyone had ECT lately?, posted by mags on April 9, 2003, at 22:36:51
> I had 9 bi-lateral ECT's a year ago. Unfortunately they did not help me, but there were many in the hospital that had great results. I ALWAYS seem to react odd to meds and treatment. My doc and the nurses were very surprised that I could remember everything leading up to the treatments but memories from a year or two before, I had lost. I found this very disturbing as I hadn't counted on it.
>
> The treatments were very straight forward and the only probs I had were headache.....
> good luck!Oh my God- Dave - I had the EXACT reaction you just described. WOW. I remember every treatment - but lost years before....
Posted by mags on April 10, 2003, at 18:06:47
In reply to Re: Anyone had ECT lately?, posted by jerrympls on April 9, 2003, at 0:15:20
Hi Jerry,
Amazing how we all are the same and/or different...that's what makes this board so great.When I was looking into ECT I read and read posts about it and decided it was worth a try. It was nice not going into it totally blind...the only thing that bothered me was that although I told myself it was a gamble, I found afterwards that subconciously I had counted on it working WAY too much and was quite devastated when it didn't. Mind you back then I was still looking for an instant cure. I was a very type "A" personality and I just kept telling my Doc let's just fix me so I can get back to work!!
Year and a half later and still not working.....
But at least I know now that I just have to keep plugging away to find a drug combo that works....
Marg
Posted by denise528 on April 16, 2003, at 13:51:56
In reply to Re: Yes, I have. » JahL, posted by JahL on April 8, 2003, at 6:43:22
Jahl,
You're very matter of fact and calm about having this procedure. I'd have it tomorrow if I thought it would help but am scared of what the consequences could be.
How are you feeling, are the treatments helping?
Denise
Posted by wendy b. on April 17, 2003, at 18:32:32
In reply to Re: JahL, how's the ECT going., posted by denise528 on April 16, 2003, at 13:51:56
I just want to echo Denise here, Jah, if you're up to posting, you may not be...
I can't tell you how nice it was to see your name here again! I have fond memories of you, and of how much Sar loved you and that you guys seemed to have good talks... (I miss her).
So let us know what's up, and if you think the ECT's working...
love,
Wendy
This is the end of the thread.
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