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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shasling on January 13, 2006, at 23:05:03
I am considering ECT because my pdoc says he's had people who were drug treatment reisitant get 'kick started' and respond better to drugs after a few ECT treatments. Anyone ever had that experience?
I'm currently on Parnate which ROCKED for about two days then went away. I'm 45 and have been seeking relief for like 25 years so am willing to do basically anything, but would like feedback from ECT veterans first.
I also think I could talk him into Vagus Nerve Stimulation instead, any firsthand knowledge of that?Thanks in advance.
Suzie
Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2006, at 20:51:30
In reply to First hand knowledge of ECTor vagus nerve stim?, posted by shasling on January 13, 2006, at 23:05:03
Susie I'm listening as we're in the same boat minus the parnate. Good luck! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by shasling on January 14, 2006, at 21:18:16
In reply to Re: First hand knowledge of ECTor vagus nerve stim? » shasling, posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2006, at 20:51:30
Thanks Phillipa. I searched some older posts and there were quite a few. The consensus seems to be unipolar ect is easier to take than bilateral and that the memory prolems are more aggravated with the bilateral. So that's a bit of info anyway. I'm actually doing great today but if this parnate/lamictal thing poops out I'm down for at least a few unipolar ect's in no time.
You are also considering it?
Thanks, Suzie
Posted by Ilene on January 16, 2006, at 21:00:44
In reply to First hand knowledge of ECTor vagus nerve stim?, posted by shasling on January 13, 2006, at 23:05:03
> I am considering ECT because my pdoc says he's had people who were drug treatment reisitant get 'kick started' and respond better to drugs after a few ECT treatments. Anyone ever had that experience?
> I'm currently on Parnate which ROCKED for about two days then went away. I'm 45 and have been seeking relief for like 25 years so am willing to do basically anything, but would like feedback from ECT veterans first.
> I also think I could talk him into Vagus Nerve Stimulation instead, any firsthand knowledge of that?
>
> Thanks in advance.
> SuzieI'd exhaust all other possibilities before I did ECT. I had both unilateral and bilateral and now I have what seems to be permanent memory loss and cognitive damage. They will tell you that any side effects of ECT are temporary. That may be true for most people, but wasn't for me.
Have you considered rTMS? It seems gentler than ECT and doesn't involve surgery like vagus nerve stimulation.
I.
Posted by strugglingsteve on January 18, 2006, at 13:40:56
In reply to Re: First hand knowledge of ECTor vagus nerve stim? » shasling, posted by Ilene on January 16, 2006, at 21:00:44
I am having a vns consult on friday but my pdoc isnt really impressed with it at all. I am having ect starting next wednesday and am pretty afraid even though I've written to several people who had and had no trouble with it except for some memory problems around the time of the procedures. I cannot tolerate the meds so am hoping that this will be the way of life for me and for maintenance treatments hereafter.
Posted by Ilene on January 18, 2006, at 14:07:00
In reply to Re: First hand knowledge of ECTor vagus nerve stim?, posted by strugglingsteve on January 18, 2006, at 13:40:56
You might want to talk to the VNS doc about having ECT. I have what looks like permanent memory loss from ECT.
I.
Posted by strugglingsteve on January 18, 2006, at 15:05:07
In reply to Re: First hand knowledge of ECTor vagus nerve stim? » strugglingsteve, posted by Ilene on January 18, 2006, at 14:07:00
But did it snap you out of depression? I have tried all the meds and they either dont work or have such terrible side effects that I cannot stay on them. I have tried everything for 5 years and am just short of suicide so I have nothing to lose. My doc doesnt think highly of vns based upon his research. I am going there to listen to what they have to say. If I did vns I am still screwed because you need a med to augment with and I dont have one. I have a lot of bad memories, to lose many or most of them wouldnt be such a bad thing for me either.
Posted by Ilene on January 18, 2006, at 15:16:13
In reply to Re: First hand knowledge of ECTor vagus nerve stim?, posted by strugglingsteve on January 18, 2006, at 15:05:07
> But did it snap you out of depression? I have tried all the meds and they either dont work or have such terrible side effects that I cannot stay on them. I have tried everything for 5 years and am just short of suicide so I have nothing to lose. My doc doesnt think highly of vns based upon his research. I am going there to listen to what they have to say. If I did vns I am still screwed because you need a med to augment with and I dont have one. I have a lot of bad memories, to lose many or most of them wouldnt be such a bad thing for me either.
ECT didn't help my depression. I know it's helped many other people, though. Also, I often feel like I suffered cognitive damage. I'm telling you this in the interest of full disclosure.
I.
Posted by shasling on January 18, 2006, at 16:29:11
In reply to Re: First hand knowledge of ECTor vagus nerve stim?, posted by strugglingsteve on January 18, 2006, at 13:40:56
Thanks for the input. Ilene, I'm so sorry about your bad experience and your memory problems. Doubly cruel to have made an effort at releif and end up with more problem... I have terrible memory problems now, so am thinking it either won't bother me because I'm so used to it, and it will give me a chance at depressive relief, or it will make it so much worse I won't be able to function. Pretty big gamble.
I think I've dodged the decision for now, because my meds are starting to work. I'm going to titrate and see what happens.Steve, please let us know how it goes with the ETC and the VNS consult. I'm with you, willing to do almost anything just not to be depressed anymore. I'd like to know how it goes with you, if you don't mind sharing. Best of luck and I'll cross my fingers that you get to experience sweet relief!
Suzie
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