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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 lew on December 12, 2004, at 9:31:30
Does anyone know anything about ECT? I'm a healthy 40 year old that can't get over the trauma that I have been through. I lost 2 children 2 years ago and the pain is unspeakably over- whelming. Worse than any physical pain I can ever imagine. Why can't doctors understand that? Does anyone have an idea. It's so frustrating, as all of you know. Would ECT help me forget and stop the dreams that haunt me almost nightly. I'm fine during the day as long as I have my tramadol. It has saved my life, many times. Can't find a doctor to prescribe. I have posted another thread if anyone might be able to help. I'm also looking for an opiate/AD med that would possibly be more effective than what I'm currently using. This illness is a BEAST. But, as I'm sure you all understand, it WON'T get the best of us. Also looking for a doctor in Denver CO that might be willing to try alternative methods. I'm lost and need help. thanks to you all in advance for your help
Posted by Sebastian on December 12, 2004, at 10:39:16
In reply to ECT, posted by lew on December 12, 2004, at 9:31:30
I saw a horrible accident, death. Got very sick in the next 2 years. Took a lot of ECT, in order to get me out of a psychotic break.
Posted by judy1 on December 12, 2004, at 11:53:59
In reply to ECT, posted by lew on December 12, 2004, at 9:31:30
ECT is sort of a last ditch treatment- you don't sound psychotic to me at all, just understandably depressed about what you have been through. The treatment for that is therapy, and meds to help your anxiety. It IS difficult to find a doc to prescribe benzos, I've had better luck with my internist at times (and the internet if you can afford it). I can't take ADs because I have bipolar disorder (and get manic on them). I use morphine as an AD and it works very well. Again, very, very difficult to get unless you have a chronic pain condition- is there anything physically wrong with you that would allow a doc to prescribe vicodin, etc.? I have never abused the morphine or benzo I'm on- I have been at the same (or lower) dose for over 3 years. Two years isn't that long for such a traumatic event, how often do you get therapy? Eventually you will be able to get your grief to a manageable level, but to lobotomize it (ECT) away is not the answer. I wish you all the best- judy
Posted by lew on December 12, 2004, at 12:24:04
In reply to Re: ECT » lew, posted by judy1 on December 12, 2004, at 11:53:59
> ECT is sort of a last ditch treatment- you don't sound psychotic to me at all, just understandably depressed about what you have been through. The treatment for that is therapy, and meds to help your anxiety. It IS difficult to find a doc to prescribe benzos, I've had better luck with my internist at times (and the internet if you can afford it). I can't take ADs because I have bipolar disorder (and get manic on them). I use morphine as an AD and it works very well. Again, very, very difficult to get unless you have a chronic pain condition- is there anything physically wrong with you that would allow a doc to prescribe vicodin, etc.? I have never abused the morphine or benzo I'm on- I have been at the same (or lower) dose for over 3 years. Two years isn't that long for such a traumatic event, how often do you get therapy? Eventually you will be able to get your grief to a manageable level, but to lobotomize it (ECT) away is not the answer. I wish you all the best- judy
Judy
Thanks for the input. I've always wondered about ECT. It's certainly good advice. I have tried therapist after therapist. Just can't seem to connect with any. I'm also umemployed, so that makes it difficult. I feel like I'm on a downward spiral, trying to keep my head above water. It's been great finding this sight to share with helpful people like yourself. thanks so much for your input and all the best to You. LEW
Posted by jaby on December 13, 2004, at 14:46:42
In reply to Re: ECT, posted by lew on December 12, 2004, at 12:24:04
Lew,
I just want you to know that Judy really gave you quite a closed minded opinion of ECT (which she's completely entitled to). All I know is it saved my sister's life and after 6 years and about 30 med trials I am going to give it a shot while managing my best to maintain myself as a working professional during the more acute phase. My pdoc is very conservative, but administers ECT himself. It has taken me a long time to get to this point, but he agrees that it's a good bet for me now. I function at about 90% much of the time, but have some significant drops quite often. I plan to attend professional school in the summer, so this is my tune up in anticipation. I hope to also reduce the number of meds I take from 6 to 1 or 2. Not that ECT is necessarily the right thing for you at this point, but be sure to keep an open mind throughout all of this. Everything you read on this board is helpful, just be sure to form your own opinions from the experiences of others. Trust yourself.
Posted by mags on December 15, 2004, at 16:46:50
In reply to Re: ECT-lew, posted by jaby on December 13, 2004, at 14:46:42
Lew, I had ECT a few years ago and it didn't help me, however it has helped many.I found out after the process that I was bipolar and it doesn't help many bipolars in a depressed state.... It was being given to me for depression.
If you are looking for away to wipe out your memories of your horrible tragedy it will not do that.
Some people are able to recover from major tragedies in approx 6 months time. If not they can suffer from major depression which is I would assume where you are at.You definately need good counselling and the right anti depressant. I know they are hard to find but they are out there.My brother lost his wife and 12 yr old son in a car accident while he was driving...he went thru something similar to you...it took him 4 yrs and many different counsellors but he pulled thru.....
good luck...keep working at it and I am sure it will happen..I am so sorry for your loss...
Posted by denise1904 on December 16, 2004, at 3:57:18
In reply to Re: ECT-lew, posted by jaby on December 13, 2004, at 14:46:42
Hi Jaby,
Re your sister and her ect, was she suffering from treatment resistent depression when she had it, how many drugs had she tried and how long had she been depressed?
Denise
This is the end of the thread.
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