Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 488273

Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

ECT

Posted by alienatari on April 23, 2005, at 7:49:48

My doctors have suggested that I try ECT if the new meds dont work. Now this is something that I REALLY dont want to do!!!!

My Aunty has had it and i swear it has totally destroyed her memory. I tell my Dr's this and they say that it doesnt do that but Ive also talked to so many people that say they have had lasting memory problems (mainly short term memory problemts but also long term memory problems too). Is this common? Anyone here have any experience with ECT or any good articles on it I could read? Id appreciate it a lot.

Thanks and take care

 

Re: ECT » alienatari

Posted by Phillipa on April 23, 2005, at 18:22:04

In reply to ECT, posted by alienatari on April 23, 2005, at 7:49:48

Only what I saw in the hospital while a pt. This lady had ECT. Before it she was very alert and remembered everything. She was so intent on killing herself as her twin brother had done that they gave her ECT. She went home for a few days after tx, and when she came back into the hospital she couldn't remember anything. It scared me and I still think of her today and wonder if she ever got better. I'd love to hear some positive reports. Fondly, Phillipa

 

Re: ECT

Posted by alienatari on April 23, 2005, at 19:34:42

In reply to Re: ECT » alienatari, posted by Phillipa on April 23, 2005, at 18:22:04

Thanks Phillipa for that information. That is quite scary. I dont see why psychatrists wont acknowledge that some (maybe most?) people do have lasting effects from ECT. I have not talked to one person who has had it that said they didnt have long term memory loss. My Aunty for example, has never been the same since she had it. Take care

> Only what I saw in the hospital while a pt. This lady had ECT. Before it she was very alert and remembered everything. She was so intent on killing herself as her twin brother had done that they gave her ECT. She went home for a few days after tx, and when she came back into the hospital she couldn't remember anything. It scared me and I still think of her today and wonder if she ever got better. I'd love to hear some positive reports. Fondly, Phillipa

 

Re: ECT » alienatari

Posted by Mr.Scott on April 24, 2005, at 10:20:16

In reply to ECT, posted by alienatari on April 23, 2005, at 7:49:48


Actually my experience with ECT has been nothing of the sort! I had a series of 8 treatments every other day for two weeks last year on an out-patient basis. The first was bilateral and in addition to an aching jaw I did feel a little out of it and had some memory problems surrounding events of that day. I told the doc and she switched to unilateral I never had any problems again! I would go to work after each treatment, and really had almost no impairment except what you would get from dental surgery just before the anesthesia wears off. My depression subsided for sure! I was in great shape for about 3 months but couldn't find a cocktail to sustain the effect. I slowly slipped back into depression and began taking Adderall which I've since developed tolerance to. Next week I will see the shock doc to discuss revisiting ECT and possibly maintenance where you continue to taper back treatments until once or twice every 3 months! Honestly...My experience with it was great. The hardest part revolved around my perception of it and subsequent fears.

Considering how awful my experience with meds have been, it was a breeze for me. Still though I have some stigma/fear issues.

Scott

 

oh wow. (questions, if anyone can answer)

Posted by iforgotmypassword on April 24, 2005, at 10:42:08

In reply to Re: ECT » alienatari, posted by Mr.Scott on April 24, 2005, at 10:20:16

i didnt know. i thought it was totally safe. i never had it done, but i wanted to... but my doctor has never seen it as a valid option as my depression is not adequately severe. but sometimes i think it really is. how often do you think the real numbers concerning memory loss are, and does it affect short term memory, or even long term? would this be considered brain damage? do they ever use ECT for atypical depression specifically for that meloncholia type?

 

Re: oh wow. (questions, if anyone can answer) » iforgotmypassword

Posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2005, at 17:50:13

In reply to oh wow. (questions, if anyone can answer), posted by iforgotmypassword on April 24, 2005, at 10:42:08

I'd like to know also as none of the AD's have worked for me. I haven't tried MAOI's I afraid, but I can't work and am a very introverted person where I used to be able to handle any situation. Like charge RN, and Expert witness in malpractice cases. Now I'm afraid of my shadow and tag along after my husband. He actually gave up his job because of me. That's sick! And I need to do something about it. I see my pdoc this week and I don't know what she'll suggest. I thought I was doing fine on valium until this stupid surgery pulled the rug out from under me. Fondly, Phillipa

 

Re: oh wow. (questions, if anyone can answer)

Posted by Declan on April 24, 2005, at 23:24:27

In reply to Re: oh wow. (questions, if anyone can answer) » iforgotmypassword, posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2005, at 17:50:13

Hi My mother was dx'd with agitated depression, hospitalised for 9 months, and after zoloft caused problems and moclobemide didn't work, she was given many doses of ect. When everyone had just about given up and her psych was suggesting maintenance ect, she started to slowly improve, I think because of effexor. It seemed to me that for a few days she was better after the ect, but it didn't last longer than that. I thought it was the most frightful thing, and was incredulous that this was the best they had to offer. After she got a fair bit better she didn't remember whole slabs of time from that period, which I suppose is a mixed blessing.
Declan

 

Re: ECT

Posted by alienatari on April 25, 2005, at 7:29:43

In reply to Re: ECT » alienatari, posted by Mr.Scott on April 24, 2005, at 10:20:16

Thats great Im glad you had a positive experience from it. I really dont know if i will ever do it. With my Aunty, maybe the treatment is a lot more refined now days as she had it done over 20 years ago.

>
> Actually my experience with ECT has been nothing of the sort! I had a series of 8 treatments every other day for two weeks last year on an out-patient basis. The first was bilateral and in addition to an aching jaw I did feel a little out of it and had some memory problems surrounding events of that day. I told the doc and she switched to unilateral I never had any problems again! I would go to work after each treatment, and really had almost no impairment except what you would get from dental surgery just before the anesthesia wears off. My depression subsided for sure! I was in great shape for about 3 months but couldn't find a cocktail to sustain the effect. I slowly slipped back into depression and began taking Adderall which I've since developed tolerance to. Next week I will see the shock doc to discuss revisiting ECT and possibly maintenance where you continue to taper back treatments until once or twice every 3 months! Honestly...My experience with it was great. The hardest part revolved around my perception of it and subsequent fears.
>
> Considering how awful my experience with meds have been, it was a breeze for me. Still though I have some stigma/fear issues.
>
> Scott

 

Re: ECT..hmmmh

Posted by Mr.Scott on April 25, 2005, at 20:59:15

In reply to Re: ECT, posted by alienatari on April 25, 2005, at 7:29:43


I don't know...Maybe they went easy on me or my brain could just take the pounding. It was far easier for me than taking the pills. I've used every antidepressant available save 3 or 4. For me its just the stigma and the fact that it pooped out over time that keeps me from aggressively pursuing it again.

Scott

 

Re: ECT

Posted by jerrympls on April 25, 2005, at 22:19:13

In reply to ECT, posted by alienatari on April 23, 2005, at 7:49:48

I had ECT many years ago - bilateral - 8 treatments. I can remember almost every detail surrounding each treatment--I can even remember what race the anthesiologist was! I remember the nurse and the warm blanket she put over me while I woke up from the treatment. However, my longterm memory was shot. I couldn't remember friends' names, movies I had seen just a month prior,etc. It took many years to "rebuild" my memory. I still have problesm with short term memory.

However, I've read that memory problems are not as prevalent with the unilateral vs. bilateral. I'd consider having it again if I had some hard evidence that memory problems would be minimal.

 

Re: ECT

Posted by billgill1 on April 27, 2005, at 20:02:20

In reply to ECT, posted by alienatari on April 23, 2005, at 7:49:48

I had several sessions of bifrontal ECT, I dont think it helped me. As far as the memory problems, I went to Disney World with my family and I dont remember even been there. I Have not had any memory problems since the sessions stopped. The doctors wanted me to go on maintenence ECT and I Refused.

 

Re: ECT » billgill1

Posted by Mr.Scott on April 27, 2005, at 23:27:54

In reply to Re: ECT, posted by billgill1 on April 27, 2005, at 20:02:20


Hi,

Can I ask what med combo keeps you together and out of electric company?

Scott

 

Re: ECT

Posted by billgill1 on April 29, 2005, at 5:25:22

In reply to Re: ECT » billgill1, posted by Mr.Scott on April 27, 2005, at 23:27:54

Yes I take 40 mg celexa, 300 mg wellbutrin and .5 mg ativan 3 times a day. This is after other meds in the mix were discontinued. I also was taking lithobid, xyprexa and synthroid.

Bill

 

Thanks! (nm) » billgill1

Posted by Mr.Scott on April 29, 2005, at 8:03:55

In reply to Re: ECT, posted by billgill1 on April 29, 2005, at 5:25:22


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