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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by babak on January 6, 2003, at 6:35:37
I have just had to discontinue with ECT after six sessions, firstly because the side-effects were too much; I couldn't find my way back home and developed irregular heartbeat, which two weeks later still persists, and secondly because I am more depressed than before. This could be because of the side-effect or not knowing what to try next.
I have tried all the usual APs and at the moment
I am on max dosages of Venelafaxine and Mirtazapine. The only one I haven't tried is Lexapro. For some reason my doctor doesn't seem to keen on this medication, but I am desperate for something to give me hope, even if it is a long shot. Without it thoughts of suicide very quickly get hold me and that scares me out of my wits.
Has anyone heard of VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation)? If so does anyone know if there is a place in Europe where they carry out this treatment for depression?I am not even sure why I am posting this message. I am just confused and desperate.
Babak
Posted by Jumpy on January 6, 2003, at 19:40:13
In reply to Now What, posted by babak on January 6, 2003, at 6:35:37
> I am not even sure why I am posting this message. I am just confused and desperate.
>
> BabakHey Babak,
Where do you live? If you live in New York or even the United States, I would consider going to see Dr. Harold Sackeim. He has gotten thousands of treatment resistant patients stable ... for free. He can get you ECT (He has done ECT on people who failed ECT elsewhere and had them respond), TMS, VNS, good med regiments. The price you have to pay is you have to enroll in his studies for which you have to be inpatient during the active treatment. He is not a medical doctor ... he is a PhD. And yes, there is memory loss from ECT, but if done correctly it is low and if you are truly desperate, that might be the price you have to pay.
I wish you the best.
Jumpy
PS He works out of the New York Psychiatric Institute
Posted by babak on January 6, 2003, at 20:04:11
In reply to Re: Now What » babak, posted by Jumpy on January 6, 2003, at 19:40:13
Thanks Jumpy
But I live in UK. May be he knows of some one in UK or Europe. But I still would like to know more, if I hospital charges are not too much and I won't have too much living cost in New York I am so desparate that I'll give it a go. Because I have lost hope with the my doctor here. Can you let me have his tel. or email, please?
Babak
Posted by Jumpy on January 6, 2003, at 20:47:39
In reply to Re: Now What, posted by babak on January 6, 2003, at 20:04:11
> Thanks Jumpy
>
> But I live in UK. May be he knows of some one in UK or Europe. But I still would like to know more, if I hospital charges are not too much and I won't have too much living cost in New York I am so desparate that I'll give it a go. Because I have lost hope with the my doctor here. Can you let me have his tel. or email, please?
>
> BabakDear Babak,
Here is the web site
http://nypisys.cpmc.columbia.edu
You can find his email and phone number there. Remember, he pushes for ECT and is actually thought to be a world authority in it. But you will have memory loss and some cognitive dysfunction. But that might be better then severe depression. He also is connected with TMS and VNS too.
You basically stay there for free. You live on the psych ward during your treatments. Get meals and television ... all free. But your stuck there til your done with the treatments or you have to sign out AMA. So you would basically just have to pay for a plane ticket there.
I will warn you again .. he usually can get ECT to work on most patients ... but you will have some memory loss. Some patients didn't mind it at all since their depression was gone. Some patients hated the memory loss.
Good luck.
Jumpy
Posted by babak on January 14, 2003, at 12:19:07
In reply to Re: Now What » babak, posted by Jumpy on January 6, 2003, at 20:47:39
Posted by denise528 on January 18, 2003, at 5:04:42
In reply to ECT has made things worse (nm), posted by babak on January 14, 2003, at 12:19:07
.
Posted by babak on January 18, 2003, at 12:17:20
In reply to Babak - are you still there? (nm), posted by denise528 on January 18, 2003, at 5:04:42
Yes I am still here but there is something wrong with the site. Not all postings show up
Posted by denise528 on January 19, 2003, at 6:21:14
In reply to Re: Babak - are you still there? » denise528, posted by babak on January 18, 2003, at 12:17:20
How are you feeling now, still no better?
Did the ECT not help at all?
Denise
Posted by babak on January 19, 2003, at 7:34:45
In reply to Glad to hear it, posted by denise528 on January 19, 2003, at 6:21:14
Unfortunately no. It has over sensitized my whole nervous system. I can’t even smoke without getting palpitation. I know I shouldn’t smoke anyway but giving up right now is a tall order for me.
I have had to cut down on Venlafaxine and take a beta blocker to control the palpitation. I also get these dizzy spell two or three time a day followed by palpitation. Everyone says it is anxiety but I don’t feel anxious, at least not until the palpitation comes on.I think it could be because of hypotension brought on by ECT. I can see how ECT could be useful for people in catatonic state but I am certainly not going to have that again, I don’t care who administers it. As to VNS according to the manufacturers of the device it is still trials, as a treatment for depression that is.
I am going to try to replace- at least partially in the beginning – Venlafaxine with Escitalopram. Compared to ECT it is a long shot but at least it is still something to hang my hopes on.
By the way do you know what AMA means. We in UK are not as up to date with abbreviations as you guys in US.
If Jumpy sees this message: I looked up Dr. Harold Sackeim and he is apparantly doing some trials with ECT and there is no way I am going to have another ECT, but I am prepared to consider participating is a VNS trial.
Posted by River1924 on January 19, 2003, at 17:25:49
In reply to Re: Glad to hear it » denise528, posted by babak on January 19, 2003, at 7:34:45
AMA = Against Medical Advice
(sometimes that means the doctor refuses all further contact and, in consequence, may expect payment when it was formerly free)When I get really "out of it", depressed, anxious, and so on, I use an older anti-psychotic called stelazine (which is approved in the US (at lower doses) for anxiety) and the alzheimer drug reminyl (which has been in Europe a long time.) Maybe you'd what to try something like that temporarily. I find the combo very helpful (along with an SSRI) when I need to find some balance. I don't like to be on anti-psychotic for long periods but at times I find it helpful.
Peace, River.
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