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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Nohope on August 15, 2003, at 3:09:57
I am currently undergoing ECT for major depression and panic disorder and since there seems to be a fair amount of interest in ECT on this board I thought I would document my experience.
Have now had 4 treatments, all right unilateral. Feel better than I did before treatment began, but still not great:
strong depression now moderate depression
agonizing anxiety now moderate anxiety.Pros so far:
Minimal memory loss (mostly the first 30min after treatment, otherwise essentially zero)
Improved concentration and (dare I say it) improved memory? (So far, on a scale of worst to best for cognitive side effects, I would rate benzos > antidepressants, untreated depression > ECT.
None of the usual medication miseries: insomnia, sedation/activation, restless legs, impotence, dry mouth, weight gain etc.
Cons:
Not working as fast as I would like; after 4 treatments I still only feel, "half well". (How many treatments could I reasonably expect before I feel, "well"?)
Going to the hospital every other day.
Aches and nausea after the treatment. (These side effects are much less now than after my first treatment.)
Stigma. It's not easy to disguise going to the hospital all the time.
Posted by Henryo on August 16, 2003, at 5:31:05
In reply to ECT Update, posted by Nohope on August 15, 2003, at 3:09:57
Thank you. Please keep posting. I need more information like this from people who are going through it now. We are paying attention. Keep the posts comming.
Posted by pink123 on August 16, 2003, at 14:53:31
In reply to ECT Update, posted by Nohope on August 15, 2003, at 3:09:57
PLEASE keep the messages coming! I am considering having ect and this is really helping out.
I am concerned that the ect is not helping to its full capacity. Are you taking any meds? What does the doc say about when the positive effects should kick in?
I am having trouble locating certain threads that I am trying to follow, so if you could give me a hint as to how to manage this board, I'd really appreciate it.
If you'd like, you can respond to my personal e-mail: aleshalove@yahoo.com
Thanks so much for the info.
By the way, does ect make you gain weight?
Posted by Dave1 on August 16, 2003, at 15:47:48
In reply to ECT Update, posted by Nohope on August 15, 2003, at 3:09:57
Hi,
I think the normal number of treatments is 6-8.
Regarding unilaterals, They sometimes try those first and then switch to bilaterals if the unilaterals don't work.
Also, The literature says that for the unilaterals to work well the electrical stimulus should 2.5 - 5 times that of the seizure threshold (the stimulus that is just high enough to trigger the seizure).
I hope the unilaterals work. It sounds like they are.
Dave
Posted by Nohope on August 16, 2003, at 20:00:44
In reply to Re: ECT Update, posted by pink123 on August 16, 2003, at 14:53:31
Hi,
> I am concerned that the ect is not helping to its full capacity. Are you taking any meds? What does the doc say about when the positive effects should kick in?
No, I stopped taking meds shortly before beginning ECT. Therefore, as my doc reminded me, the ECT must help me from my *unmedicated* baseline, which is a pretty hideous baseline. Comparing how I am feeling now to what I would be feeling like after 2 weeks without medication, ECT must be working to some extent. However, given that so far the side effects have been minimal, I will ask for more potent treatments (e.g. higher dose, bilateral)
> I am having trouble locating certain threads that I am trying to follow, so if you could give me a hint as to how to manage this board, I'd really appreciate it.
I use the search function to find relevant threads - beyond that I can't suggest much.
> By the way, does ect make you gain weight?
For me: not at all. My appetite actually seems "normal" for the first time in many years. In fact, I am steadily losing the weight I have gained from medication.
Posted by Nohope on August 16, 2003, at 20:05:38
In reply to Re: ECT Update » Nohope, posted by Dave1 on August 16, 2003, at 15:47:48
> I think the normal number of treatments is 6-8.
>
> Regarding unilaterals, They sometimes try those first and then switch to bilaterals if the unilaterals don't work.Yes, that is pretty much what I have read too.
> Also, The literature says that for the unilaterals to work well the electrical stimulus should 2.5 - 5 times that of the seizure threshold (the stimulus that is just high enough to trigger the seizure).
Yes. Unfortunately I don't know how many times the seizure threshold is being used for me.
> I hope the unilaterals work. It sounds like they are.
Thanks. They are, at least moderately. Monday I will ask for more potent treatments.
Posted by galkeepinon on August 17, 2003, at 1:38:39
In reply to Re: ECT Update, posted by pink123 on August 16, 2003, at 14:53:31
ECT itself has no bearing whatsover on weight gain-rest assured :-)
> PLEASE keep the messages coming! I am considering having ect and this is really helping out.
>
> I am concerned that the ect is not helping to its full capacity. Are you taking any meds? What does the doc say about when the positive effects should kick in?
>
> I am having trouble locating certain threads that I am trying to follow, so if you could give me a hint as to how to manage this board, I'd really appreciate it.
>
> If you'd like, you can respond to my personal e-mail: aleshalove@yahoo.com
>
> Thanks so much for the info.
>
> By the way, does ect make you gain weight?
This is the end of the thread.
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