![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 17 to 41 of 79. Go back in thread:
Posted by linkadge on May 9, 2005, at 19:24:31
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » bipolarspectrum, posted by Bob on May 9, 2005, at 9:42:44
If you havn't tried an MAOI, then you've still got a barganing chip.
The one MAOI that I tried, Parnate, was a completely different medication than any other I have tried.
I have been on maybe 20 different antidepressants which were roughtly the same old story for me. All I can say was that Parnate was an "entirely different ballgame" .
Linkadge
Posted by aleslie on May 9, 2005, at 20:42:04
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » aleslie, posted by Bob on May 9, 2005, at 9:14:09
Bob,
I was not trying to imply that you were saying anything of the sort. I am truely sorry if you got that feeling. What I was trying to do is be of some support. Obviously I failed in that area. I am not here to pass judgement or "troll". I am the last person who would do that. Again let me apologize for coming off as a know it all.
Amy
Posted by Bob on May 10, 2005, at 9:41:11
In reply to Re: ECT failure?, posted by aleslie on May 9, 2005, at 20:42:04
> Bob,
> I was not trying to imply that you were saying anything of the sort. I am truely sorry if you got that feeling. What I was trying to do is be of some support. Obviously I failed in that area. I am not here to pass judgement or "troll". I am the last person who would do that. Again let me apologize for coming off as a know it all.
> Amy
Don't worry, Amy. I wasn't upset - just wanted to avoid a misunderstanding.Bob
Posted by jerrympls on May 10, 2005, at 19:29:44
In reply to ECT failure?, posted by Bob on May 8, 2005, at 13:33:35
> Has anyone here either known someone, or they themselves undergone a full course of ECT (at least 6 or more treatments), and then, in the end, gotten little or no response? Or maybe even a negative response?
I had 8 courses of bilateral ECT treatments back in 1994. Unforuntately, it did not work for me and actually made things worse. My memory was toast - forgot friends' names, movies I had seen jusst a couple weeks earlier - I even had trouble reading music (and I have studied music since I was 4 years old - I'm now 33). My conceptualization skills were fried. I had to rebuild my memory - my wit, sense of humor. Weird thing is is that I can remember everything about the treatments - I can still remmeber that the anesthesiologist was a tall african-american man, I can remember them inserting the bite guard, the sting of the needles, waking up and having a nurse with grey hair in her 40's put a warm blanket around me. I can remember being wheeled back up to my room on the psych ward. My mother was there for each treatment and she sat next to my bed reading a romance novel while I rested. When I got home, I did notice an unusual increase in mood - like a buzz - not manic or anything - but I remember telling a friend that I thought the ECT worked and that my depression was gone. That wore off quickly.
A couple weeks later I started back at college. I remember sitting in orchestra rehearsal staring at the music as if I were reading a foreign language. I felt uncoordinated - and as I said - I had been playing cello since I was 4 years old.
Soon after I noticed more profound memory effects. Friends came up to me and started talking about things we had done the summer before - and I couldn't remember what they were talking about - nor could I remember their names. I felt really embarrassed. From then on I had terrible times trying to commit things to memory - including music, information that I read for classes, etc. It took years to "rebuild" and "reroute" how I worked my memory.
That was 1994 and now in 2005 I still have problems with memory - but it's better. For example, I'll forget that I talked with a friend over the phone 5 days ago - but if my friend reminds me or tells me what we talked about - then I'm able to call it up in my head and I "remember." Short-term memory is ok - but damaged.
I hear now that unilateral placement of the electrode reduces memory problems.
I wish I had better news for you....but for what it's worth, I have known people who have been helped tremendously through ECT.
Jerry
Posted by Bob on May 11, 2005, at 11:53:01
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Bob, posted by jerrympls on May 10, 2005, at 19:29:44
> I had 8 courses of bilateral ECT treatments back in 1994. Unforuntately, it did not work for me and actually made things worse. My memory was toast - forgot friends' names, movies I had seen jusst a couple weeks earlier - I even had trouble reading music (and I have studied music since I was 4 years old - I'm now 33). My conceptualization skills were fried. I had to rebuild my memory - my wit, sense of humor. Weird thing is is that I can remember everything about the treatments - I can still remmeber that the anesthesiologist was a tall african-american man, I can remember them inserting the bite guard, the sting of the needles, waking up and having a nurse with grey hair in her 40's put a warm blanket around me. I can remember being wheeled back up to my room on the psych ward. My mother was there for each treatment and she sat next to my bed reading a romance novel while I rested. When I got home, I did notice an unusual increase in mood - like a buzz - not manic or anything - but I remember telling a friend that I thought the ECT worked and that my depression was gone. That wore off quickly.
>
> A couple weeks later I started back at college. I remember sitting in orchestra rehearsal staring at the music as if I were reading a foreign language. I felt uncoordinated - and as I said - I had been playing cello since I was 4 years old.
>
> Soon after I noticed more profound memory effects. Friends came up to me and started talking about things we had done the summer before - and I couldn't remember what they were talking about - nor could I remember their names. I felt really embarrassed. From then on I had terrible times trying to commit things to memory - including music, information that I read for classes, etc. It took years to "rebuild" and "reroute" how I worked my memory.
>
> That was 1994 and now in 2005 I still have problems with memory - but it's better. For example, I'll forget that I talked with a friend over the phone 5 days ago - but if my friend reminds me or tells me what we talked about - then I'm able to call it up in my head and I "remember." Short-term memory is ok - but damaged.
>
> I hear now that unilateral placement of the electrode reduces memory problems.
>
> I wish I had better news for you....but for what it's worth, I have known people who have been helped tremendously through ECT.
>
> Jerry
>
>Jerry:
Your story, and others like it, raises a question in my mind. Was the procedure considered an emergency at the time? How was your condition afterwards, apart from the memory? It often seems to me like many people who have ECT suffer great memory problems, but they don't really discuss having life threatening depression or similar problems afterward. I assume you had such problems afterward, but maybe not?
Bob
Posted by jerrympls on May 11, 2005, at 19:23:09
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » jerrympls, posted by Bob on May 11, 2005, at 11:53:01
> Jerry:
>
> Your story, and others like it, raises a question in my mind. Was the procedure considered an emergency at the time? How was your condition afterwards, apart from the memory? It often seems to me like many people who have ECT suffer great memory problems, but they don't really discuss having life threatening depression or similar problems afterward. I assume you had such problems afterward, but maybe not?
>
> Bob
>
>Hi Bob
Good questions you raise. I don't think my ECT treatment was considered an "emergency" treatment - it was more of a last resort becuase I wasn't responding to traditional meds. After ECT my depression got much worse and I started having panic attacks - which I had NOT had prior to treatment. I've had more "suicidal ideation" since my ECT - much much more so than prior to the treatments. I also have been in the hospital more (in psych wards) than before my ECT too. I've never attempted suicide - but have come very close. Currently I'm on a med cocktail that has kept me pretty stable and out of deep periods of severe depression. I currently take Lexapro, Klonopin, Dexedrine and hydrocodone. Yes, an opiate. My doc finally agreed to prescribe it for me and it's worked wonders - no miracle cure - but very close to "normal" and I'm able to work. I've been on opiate therapy for my depression for about 5-6 months now? and have had no problems with tolerance or abuse.Jerry
Posted by Mr.Scott on May 12, 2005, at 1:34:26
In reply to ECT failure?, posted by Bob on May 8, 2005, at 13:33:35
its late...I'm sleepy...just a few thoughts here.
Sounds like someone is on a bad mix of psychiatric or illicit drugs that is causing the problem...ECT is pretty darn effective at an 80% efficacy rate for straight depression. However if your depression is caused by drug addiction or the fact your whole world just fell apart then maybe it won't work.I guess there are chronic depressives that just can't and don't really get better.
Finally...although it may be hard to accept...Maybe its time for more therapy and less somatic intervention.
Posted by Mr.Scott on May 12, 2005, at 1:39:55
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » linkadge, posted by Bob on May 8, 2005, at 16:16:48
I'm feeling cocky here, but If you want...Give me a fairly detailed account of whats been going on with you... with ALL your meds listed out (length on them, dosage, etc) any drug/alcohol abuse, and life situation stuff.
Tell me when this all began and don't leave out the truth. I'll bet I can help you.
Scott
Posted by Mr.Scott on May 12, 2005, at 1:41:54
In reply to ECT failure?, posted by Bob on May 8, 2005, at 13:33:35
unilateral or bilateral? What anticonvulsants if any were you taking during ECT. 6 is just a start btw.
Posted by Bob on May 12, 2005, at 9:28:41
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Bob, posted by Mr.Scott on May 12, 2005, at 1:34:26
> its late...I'm sleepy...just a few thoughts here.
>
>
> Sounds like someone is on a bad mix of psychiatric or illicit drugs that is causing the problem...ECT is pretty darn effective at an 80% efficacy rate for straight depression. However if your depression is caused by drug addiction or the fact your whole world just fell apart then maybe it won't work.
>
> I guess there are chronic depressives that just can't and don't really get better.
>
> Finally...although it may be hard to accept...Maybe its time for more therapy and less somatic intervention.
>
>I personally have never taken a single illicit drug in my entire life, (pretty boring, huh?), and am only taking a moderate amount of lithium and a slight bit of Ativan currently.
I don't really know if I just have "straight depression". I think that anxiety is just as large of a component, and sometimes, some obsessiveness.
Bob
Posted by Bob on May 12, 2005, at 9:30:18
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Bob, posted by Mr.Scott on May 12, 2005, at 1:39:55
> I'm feeling cocky here, but If you want...Give me a fairly detailed account of whats been going on with you... with ALL your meds listed out (length on them, dosage, etc) any drug/alcohol abuse, and life situation stuff.
>
> Tell me when this all began and don't leave out the truth. I'll bet I can help you.
>
> ScottScott:
I may take you up on this offer, but I have to wait for a moment when I feel up to it. It's a rather long story, and I've taken about 40 different combos of meds. It's a mess.
Bob
Posted by Bob on May 12, 2005, at 9:32:38
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Bob, posted by Mr.Scott on May 12, 2005, at 1:41:54
> unilateral or bilateral? What anticonvulsants if any were you taking during ECT. 6 is just a start btw.
I had a couple unilateral in the beginning, and then it switched over to bilateral when necessary, and stayed that way. I've had 13 treatments so far, I think.
Posted by Bob on May 12, 2005, at 9:44:51
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Bob, posted by jerrympls on May 11, 2005, at 19:23:09
> Hi Bob
> Good questions you raise. I don't think my ECT treatment was considered an "emergency" treatment - it was more of a last resort becuase I wasn't responding to traditional meds. After ECT my depression got much worse and I started having panic attacks - which I had NOT had prior to treatment. I've had more "suicidal ideation" since my ECT - much much more so than prior to the treatments. I also have been in the hospital more (in psych wards) than before my ECT too. I've never attempted suicide - but have come very close. Currently I'm on a med cocktail that has kept me pretty stable and out of deep periods of severe depression. I currently take Lexapro, Klonopin, Dexedrine and hydrocodone. Yes, an opiate. My doc finally agreed to prescribe it for me and it's worked wonders - no miracle cure - but very close to "normal" and I'm able to work. I've been on opiate therapy for my depression for about 5-6 months now? and have had no problems with tolerance or abuse.
>
> Jerry
>
Wow Jerry. That's kind of scary. Your description looks like something I could have written about myself.I could swear that after my last treatment (13th, I think?) it precipitated anxiety and panic attacks, along with suicidal ideation. I can't say I've never experienced anything like this before, as I went through something vaguely similar with Topomax, but I'm now quite leery about continuing with the treatments. There is one other possibility, and that is that a slight amount of Clonazepam that I was taking for the first 10 or 11 treatments was slowly withdrawn by the last session. Maybe that precipitated the "breakdown" and the ECT was merely a catalyst? It was a very small amount of Clono, though, like .25mg tid, at the most. There was concern that I was having a reaction to it, with a skin rash and muscle problems.
My psychiatrist and the ECT doc both say I should continue with the treatments on a once-per-week basis. I just don't know. My body hates meds anymore, and I don't even know what I'd do if I went back to them alone.
Posted by Bob on May 12, 2005, at 10:00:23
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Bob, posted by jerrympls on May 11, 2005, at 19:23:09
> Hi Bob
> Good questions you raise. I don't think my ECT treatment was considered an "emergency" treatment - it was more of a last resort becuase I wasn't responding to traditional meds. After ECT my depression got much worse and I started having panic attacks - which I had NOT had prior to treatment. I've had more "suicidal ideation" since my ECT - much much more so than prior to the treatments. I also have been in the hospital more (in psych wards) than before my ECT too. I've never attempted suicide - but have come very close. Currently I'm on a med cocktail that has kept me pretty stable and out of deep periods of severe depression. I currently take Lexapro, Klonopin, Dexedrine and hydrocodone. Yes, an opiate. My doc finally agreed to prescribe it for me and it's worked wonders - no miracle cure - but very close to "normal" and I'm able to work. I've been on opiate therapy for my depression for about 5-6 months now? and have had no problems with tolerance or abuse.
>
> Jerry
>Jerry:
Once again, you've raised a few more questions for me.
When you say you "weren't responding to traditional meds", does that mean they just weren't changing how you felt, or were they doing unpleasant things both psychologically and somatically? For me, it got to the point where my body was having extreme problems and experiencing all kinds of physical side effects.?
If you were having physical reactions to the meds before ECT, I guess it's safe to assume that you are not going through that now?
My therapist told me the other day that her recent experiences have shown that hospitals rarely keep people for more than a day or two if you go there claiming you are suicidal. Did you find this to be true? I asked her who goes in the psych ward, and she couldn't really tell me. She said that as soon as you say you are not currently suicidal, they check you out!
You said you're working now. How long did you not work? That is a wild drug combo, but it must be working pretty well if you're working.
Last question: how much Klonopin are you taking? Have you ever noticed a difference between Klonopin, and the generic Clonazepam? I've heard from some sources that the generic is possibly "dirtier".
Bob
Posted by Mr.Scott on May 12, 2005, at 12:25:28
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » jerrympls, posted by Bob on May 12, 2005, at 10:00:23
I'm surprised about bilateral ECT not working. Sometimes there is a delayed effect however. Were you recently using prescribed stimulants?
Lithium in combo w/ECT is quite offensive to the memory and sensorium. I wonder if bilateral ECT & the lithium combo is making you so out of it right now you can't tell whats going on moodwise? I Get anxious and upset if my mind isn't 'just right'. Pill side effects and what not really get me down because of my obsessive nature. Maybe a little clearing of the mind and you'll feel better?
Without a doubt I'd blame the clonazepam for the earlier breakdown. If you were anxious and obssesive to begin with (thats me btw) and then spent a week on .25mg clonazepam TID which is essentially 15mg of Valium a day plus the barbiturate or benzodiazepine anesthesia for the ECT and then stopped it you'd go into rebound. If your already anxious and distressed to begin with that rebound may have been too much.
I kid you not. I became addicted to Xanax in one pill 13 years ago because I was a wreck, I'd take it...feel better...and when it would exit my body I was in hell. I ended up in the hospital after one week of .25mg xanax TID (half of what you were on).
Posted by Mr.Scott on May 12, 2005, at 12:27:57
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Mr.Scott, posted by Bob on May 12, 2005, at 9:28:41
If I may inquire...
Whats your current Lithium and Ativan dosage??
Posted by 4WD on May 12, 2005, at 13:53:44
In reply to Re: ECT failure?, posted by linkadge on May 9, 2005, at 19:24:31
> If you havn't tried an MAOI, then you've still got a barganing chip.
>
> The one MAOI that I tried, Parnate, was a completely different medication than any other I have tried.
>
> I have been on maybe 20 different antidepressants which were roughtly the same old story for me. All I can say was that Parnate was an "entirely different ballgame" .
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
Linkadge,What happened that you had to d/c the Parnate if it was working so well for you? Did you have unbearable side effects?
My pdoc has told me that if the nortriptyline doesn't work his next plan is to put me on an MAOI.
Marsha
Posted by snapper on May 13, 2005, at 0:23:49
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » jerrympls, posted by Bob on May 12, 2005, at 9:44:51
amount of Clonazepam that I was taking for the first 10 or 11 treatments was slowly withdrawn by the last session. Maybe that precipitated the "breakdown" and the ECT was merely a catalyst? It was a very small amount of Clono, though, like .25mg tid, at the most. There was concern that I was having a reaction to it, with a skin rash and muscle problems.
>
Hey guys , sorry for breaking in, but I would like to say I feel qualified to comment on this thread.... In 2001 and 2002 I had a total of 27 unilateral treatments... I started to respond at about the 10 to 12 range on a Mon,Wed,Fri schedule ...it brought me out of hell and maybe even made me a little better than euthymic ....not hypo-manic, but certainly well enough to take off on a road trip from the midwest to Phoenix to help my sisters boyfriend (at the time) drive his car and a u-haul of thier belongings out there.... I think the Drs. at the time, recc. that I not go, but I was feeling so good that I went anyhow...long story short I got out there and slowly but surely started to decline to the depths of my previous level of chronic depression.... I will be completely honest with you... I got stuck out there because before I left, I had mis-placed my wallet and knew I would be flying home one way, but because of the 9/11 situation I knew for fact that I could'nt board a plane w/o proper Id. Well while I was there waiting for my parents to find my wallet , Id and such, I STUPIDLY started to think that I was well enough that I could handle some alcohol . Mind you I was still taking a combo of FXR and Depakote on the trip and knew I was going to resume the ECT treatments upon going home. An intended week to 10 day trip turned in to a five week stay, physically catching some kind of wierd flu bug (I recall it being a tenacious and persistant sickness that not only was hard to get rid of but also co-insided with my rapid decent back in to The Big "D"- I called it the dessert flu! Sorry for the ramble but my point is this .... Upon finally having my parents find my ID/wallet and Fed-exing it to me so I could fly home....I had spent 5 weeks of light to moderate imbibing on the booze and was not only physically a mess but also mentally 10 steps backward. Got home and resumed the ECT treatment for roughly 3 to 4 months to bring me back from the abyss, (it worked) and by the 27th treatment in March of 2002, my Drs. Informed me that they did not see any reason to continue w/ anymore "Maintanance ECT"! I felt "good" for 1 to 2 months max and then my De-realization, apathy, indifference, and 97.6% of my depressive and anxiety returned like like a "faithful and miserable friend" . I am not telling this to bore you or anyone but I felt complelled to at least share what I experienced, and also let you know that I am AMAZED at the fact the your attending Pdocs even allowed you to remain on any amount of Klonopin while recieving the ECT...because Anti-convulsants and any Benzodizapine totally basically renders the ECT useless, because these drugs raise the siezure threshhold and defeat the purpose of what the ECT is supposed to do....which is create a controlled Grand Mal siezure in the brain and in simple terms, "reset the the brain" ! sure it is much more than that but, thats part of the basic premise and when it works .... it works very well for a very high percentage of sick folks! Even with responce, relapse is very high...hence the concept of maintanence ECT. I will close in saying that I had the start of another courace(sp) of what was supposed to be 12 treatments Last year in Very late May and Early July...unfortunately my anxiety levels were so da*m high because of no meds on board, I barely endured 6 of the scheduled 12 to be and then told my Pdoc forget it and to treat my anxiety and he agreed and while my anxiety is much better now...my overall level of relief is roughly only 60 to 65%. I am seriously thinking of mentioning to him that I would like to go back and give my old friend Parnate another go-even though it pooped out on me after 7 to nine months in 1993, I have to keep pursuing a higher level of wellness and functioning than I am now! I have to leave no stone unturned and I hope all of us here on PB and elsewhere can continue to do the same! Thats part of my 2% (maybe) more but in any case if anyone has any comments or questions I would welcome them!
Snapper
Posted by Bob on May 14, 2005, at 9:18:36
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Bob, posted by Mr.Scott on May 12, 2005, at 12:25:28
The last time I took anything that could be considered close to a stimulant was Welbutrin XL, but that was at least 5 or 6 months before the start of the ECT.
Yes, I would agree that the Li + ECT is doing a number on my awareness and memory. I have little windows where it doesn't seem so bad, but there are periods when the confusion gets intense, and my mood goes down with it. I completely understand how pill s/e get you down. I, and I suspect many others, are just like that. I don't think the medical community understands how that can crush the human spirit. Of course, there's little that can be done.
I was definitely already anxious and restless, and the ECT was pushing it to the edge, so a concurrent withdraw of the benzo was probably problematic. Ironically, it's been over a week and a half since the last treatment, and now I'm having attacks of drowsiness, weakness, and apathy! It's insane the way these states just flip from one to the other. My instability is astounding.
I honestly don't think doctors today accept that for some individuals, benzos are a delicate proposition.
Posted by Bob on May 14, 2005, at 9:23:36
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Bob, posted by Mr.Scott on May 12, 2005, at 12:27:57
> If I may inquire...
>
> Whats your current Lithium and Ativan dosage??
>
>
Lithium: 450mg Eskalith at bedtime.
Ativan: 0.25mg at 7am, 4pm, and bedtime.
Posted by Bob on May 14, 2005, at 9:28:48
In reply to Re: ECT failure? NO.... AND YES!, posted by snapper on May 13, 2005, at 0:23:49
I will close in saying that I had the start of another courace(sp) of what was supposed to be 12 treatments Last year in Very late May and Early July...unfortunately my anxiety levels were so da*m high because of no meds on board, I barely endured 6 of the scheduled 12 to be and then told my Pdoc forget it and to treat my anxiety and he agreed and while my anxiety is much better now...my overall level of relief is roughly only 60 to 65%. I am seriously thinking of mentioning to him that I would like to go back and give my old friend Parnate another go-even though it pooped out on me after 7 to nine months in 1993, I have to keep pursuing a higher level of wellness and functioning than I am now! I have to leave no stone unturned and I hope all of us here on PB and elsewhere can continue to do the same! Thats part of my 2% (maybe) more but in any case if anyone has any comments or questions I would welcome them!
>
My anxiety levels can be quite high also, so I hope that doesn't mean ECT cannot work for me.I too am trying to leave no stone unturned, but it's really getting difficult. I haven't tried the MAOI's, but I'm worried about getting on one of those and then finding out it causes problems, like more anxiety, or anger etc., then not being able to withdraw.
Sometimes I gotta wonder, does anyone, anywhere, ever take an antidepressant med for years and years and not have it poop out on them?
> Snapper
Posted by Bob on May 14, 2005, at 9:36:12
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Bob, posted by Mr.Scott on May 12, 2005, at 12:25:28
Does anyone here think that, for most people, memory fills back in over time after a series of ECT sessions? I mean, say 10 years in the future, does most of it come back?
Posted by Mr.Scott on May 18, 2005, at 2:17:00
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Mr.Scott, posted by Bob on May 14, 2005, at 9:36:12
Everything comes back.
Posted by Bob on May 18, 2005, at 10:15:40
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » Bob, posted by Mr.Scott on May 18, 2005, at 2:17:00
> Everything comes back.
I am REALLY glad to hear that.
Posted by jerrympls on May 18, 2005, at 20:27:35
In reply to Re: ECT failure? » jerrympls, posted by Bob on May 12, 2005, at 10:00:23
>
> > Hi Bob
> > Good questions you raise. I don't think my ECT treatment was considered an "emergency" treatment - it was more of a last resort becuase I wasn't responding to traditional meds. After ECT my depression got much worse and I started having panic attacks - which I had NOT had prior to treatment. I've had more "suicidal ideation" since my ECT - much much more so than prior to the treatments. I also have been in the hospital more (in psych wards) than before my ECT too. I've never attempted suicide - but have come very close. Currently I'm on a med cocktail that has kept me pretty stable and out of deep periods of severe depression. I currently take Lexapro, Klonopin, Dexedrine and hydrocodone. Yes, an opiate. My doc finally agreed to prescribe it for me and it's worked wonders - no miracle cure - but very close to "normal" and I'm able to work. I've been on opiate therapy for my depression for about 5-6 months now? and have had no problems with tolerance or abuse.
> >
> > Jerry
> >
>
> Jerry:
>
> Once again, you've raised a few more questions for me.
>
> When you say you "weren't responding to traditional meds", does that mean they just weren't changing how you felt, or were they doing unpleasant things both psychologically and somatically? For me, it got to the point where my body was having extreme problems and experiencing all kinds of physical side effects.?They were doing both. I would have semi-partial responses with A LOT of side effects. I was on many med cocktails that just left me lethargic and cloudy. Finally the doc said: "Well, let's try Dexedrine before ECT." That worked really well for me - but he only kept me on it for 3 months or so - then took me off for reasons I can't recall and I was MORE depressed than ever. This was back in the early 1990's. I went into the hospital for the first time for the ECT treatments. A month after the treatments I was back in w/ severe anxiety and suicial ideation. They kept me in for a week.
>
> If you were having physical reactions to the meds before ECT, I guess it's safe to assume that you are not going through that now?I'm not sure what you mean exactly - but let me answer how I think you're wanting me to answer. I don't know if it's because I've been on so many meds over the years or what, but I rarely experience the side effects as strongly as I did many years ago. Also, I still only get semi-partial responses to meds. The best combo has been an SSRI + Stimulant + Benzo.
>
> My therapist told me the other day that her recent experiences have shown that hospitals rarely keep people for more than a day or two if you go there claiming you are suicidal. Did you find this to be true? I asked her who goes in the psych ward, and she couldn't really tell me. She said that as soon as you say you are not currently suicidal, they check you out!Hmm. Not from my experiences. Every time I've been in the minimum was 1 week - even if you said you weren't suicidal anymore. Plus, of the suicidal many "fellow-patients" that I got to know, most were kept in at least 2 weeks or longer. Some had been there at least a month. I guess it depends on the doctor/hospital, etc?
The last time I went in, I wasn't suicidal - I just needed a med change to an MAOI and they wanted to do it inpatient. I was in 2 weeks in order for them to wash out other meds and start me on Nardil.
>
> You said you're working now. How long did you not work? That is a wild drug combo, but it must be working pretty well if you're working.After I graduated college in 1995 - I was in bed for 2 years. Then, I got put on an SSRI + Stim combo and worked for 2 years then slumped back into depression. I finally moved to MN about 5 years ago and have been working ever since - however, my depression has taken a toll on my work attendance. I got protection under the ADA and FLMA through our Disability Services dept. which allowed me to take 12 weeks off last summer for another med change. However, since October 2004 when I went back to work, I've missed on average at least 1 day /week. Fortunately my employer has been accomodating allowing me to make up missed time, etc. Now, I'm seriously thinking about going to grad school.
>
> Last question: how much Klonopin are you taking? Have you ever noticed a difference between Klonopin, and the generic Clonazepam? I've heard from some sources that the generic is possibly "dirtier".I take 1mg 4x daily. It's the generic. I've never had the brand name so I can't tell you the difference.
Hope this helps!
>
> Bob
>
>
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