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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 20:23:16
Hi folks,
After several false starts over the last four years it looks like I am going to have ECT starting next week. I had ECT 14 years ago and it did not help with major depression. I work full time at night doing computer tech support and I need to figure out what to tell my boss about ECT. I want to try and continue to work during the treatments but don't know if I will be able to.
Has anyone been able to continue working during ECT? What did you tell your employer if you could not work?
A little history... I have been depressed since I was a child and have been through numerous drugs trials and am currently in therapy with a psychiatrist I trust. Current diagnosis of treatment resistant depression and PTSD. Very reluctant to try ECT again but really don't know what else to do. I have been in contact with the folks at Emory in Atlanta doing DBS (deep brain stimulation) but that would require moving to Atlanta for nine months. Not to mention brain surgery...
Thanks,
Josh
Posted by Phillipa on December 12, 2006, at 21:04:21
In reply to How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment, posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 20:23:16
I think there is a thread further up the page on ECT. Good luck with your decision. Hope it works out for you. Love Phillipa
Posted by stargazer on December 12, 2006, at 22:47:39
In reply to How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment, posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 20:23:16
If it didn't work 14 years ago is there a better liklihood of success today?
Also, have you exhausted all of the classess of AD's including MAO's? If not, that would be a better way to go before ECT, I think, due to the problems with memory loss.
Obviously your pdoc is recommending it over other medications?
If you do elect to have it some people are able to work (so I hear), some can't, it's an indiviual thing and you can't always plan for how you will repond.
I would think you would have to tell work something if you are unable to keep up with your responsibilities. You might want to see how the first few treatments go since you may need to take some time off depending on how you are feeling and that might be an easier discussion to have.
Good luck and keep us posted on your experience since many of us have had ECT recommended and have not had enough personal feedback to help with the decision.
I fortunately when on the brink of having ECT, had a good response to a med. I personally would go through every other option before ECT...too scared of memory loss and general anesthesia.
Stargazer
Posted by Maxime on December 12, 2006, at 22:59:26
In reply to How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment, posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 20:23:16
I've been wanting to have DBS. :)
I think you should take the time off and have the treatments if you have decided that you are going to have ECT.
If you continue to work while you have ECT and exhibit any strange behaviour you will get a label ... and not a good one.
Can't you take a sick leave without saying what for?
Good luck to you.
Maxime
> Hi folks,
>
> After several false starts over the last four years it looks like I am going to have ECT starting next week. I had ECT 14 years ago and it did not help with major depression. I work full time at night doing computer tech support and I need to figure out what to tell my boss about ECT. I want to try and continue to work during the treatments but don't know if I will be able to.
>
> Has anyone been able to continue working during ECT? What did you tell your employer if you could not work?
>
> A little history... I have been depressed since I was a child and have been through numerous drugs trials and am currently in therapy with a psychiatrist I trust. Current diagnosis of treatment resistant depression and PTSD. Very reluctant to try ECT again but really don't know what else to do. I have been in contact with the folks at Emory in Atlanta doing DBS (deep brain stimulation) but that would require moving to Atlanta for nine months. Not to mention brain surgery...
>
> Thanks,
>
> Josh
Posted by Maxime on December 12, 2006, at 23:03:13
In reply to Re: How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment » JoshG, posted by Maxime on December 12, 2006, at 22:59:26
Josh has decided to have the treatments. I don't think it is right for anyone to tell him whether it is the right thing to do or not. I'm sure he has put a lot of thought into his decision.
Josh, will you have unilateral or bilateral ECT?
Maxime
Posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 23:11:39
In reply to Re: How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment, posted by Maxime on December 12, 2006, at 23:03:13
Hi,
Thanks for the replies. The ECT doc said we would try right unilateral. I has bilateral last time and experienced ongoing memory loss which is why I approach ECT this time around with much trepidation.
I have done both Nardil and Parnate (MAOI) over the years. Had nothing but weight gain with Nardil and could not tolerate the Parnate.
Josh
Posted by Phillipa on December 12, 2006, at 23:15:44
In reply to Re: How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment, posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 23:11:39
I've heard good things about unilateral. Good luck my thoughts are with you. Love Phillipa
Posted by dessbee on December 13, 2006, at 7:38:11
In reply to How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment, posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 20:23:16
Saw a documentary where a guy got right bilateral ECT. He recovered from depression after 9 treatments and is still 6 months after doing well. He said he got some memory problems but it was only related to the time during ECT-treatments.
Posted by Sebastian on December 13, 2006, at 8:34:42
In reply to How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment, posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 20:23:16
After my experiences with ECT, my memory was shot. I wouldn't try to work during it. The one drug that I found for my PTSD was zyprexa. Ever since I've been taking that I haven't needed ECT again. Have you tried zyprexa?
Posted by B2chica on December 13, 2006, at 9:46:21
In reply to How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment, posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 20:23:16
i would see if you can take sick leave without telling, however if you trust your boss you may want to tell her/him that you have to have a medical procedure and will need to be out for a while, just let them know it's personal and don't wish to discuss it (unless you do).
Every boss is different, sometimes it's better to say nothing, and sometimes it helps to let them in on a little more info. my boss actually responds better if he's "kept in the loop", however that is probably not typical.
best wishes with the ECT.
b2c.
Posted by stargazer on December 13, 2006, at 10:21:44
In reply to Re: How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment » JoshG, posted by B2chica on December 13, 2006, at 9:46:21
Josh,
My post was intended to make sure other options had been exhausted.
I too was in your position with a trusted psychiatist who I still see...I asked him to make a recommendation to a pdoc for the procedure...Now I know more about the procedure and I would make sure I had been seen by another psychiatrist before making the decision to have ECT.
Several moths ago, I asked other PB'ers for names of pdocs who specialize in psychopharmacology. My pdoc is aware of this in the event that his treatment of me is not been able to control my depression. He said he would do this and understands my reason for doing so.
I too had thought I had exhausted all medications but I am aware of how differently each pdoc handles medication management. Most are not experts in this field of psychiatry. Even my pdoc would admit to this, not openly, but after I had suggested another opinion, even if it meant going out of state.It is easier for me to be supportive of others treatment, it is more difficult to make sure others have been presented with all of the options available to them. Some of us have vast knowledge from years of being depressed, lucky us, which we can offer to others to help me make sure they have thought of everything else they can do.
I wish you well with your choices. You have my support.
Stargazer
Posted by blueberry1 on December 13, 2006, at 18:51:35
In reply to How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment, posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 20:23:16
Don't do it.
If you have exhausted trials of various antidepressants, try meds that aren't antidepressants...depakote, lithium, xanax, adderall, whatever...I'm not suggesting specific meds, I'm just saying look where you have not looked, even if it doesn't make sense. Actually, especially if it doesn't make sense. Because up till now nothing that does make sense has worked. So logic has it.
ECT. Don't do it. You have too much to lose if it goes awry. What good are the gains if you can't remember how to do your job? And if you have to keep doing it till the day you die?
I'm sure there could be a positive side. I'm just sharing the negative side. My ECT pdoc told me that when someone goes in for ECT a second time, the odds of it helping are 50/50, but the odds of it working completely are pretty low. He said the risks are "intrusive on your life". And that goes back to your original question about work.
Posted by Maxime on December 13, 2006, at 21:08:16
In reply to Re: How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment, posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 23:11:39
> Hi,
>
> Thanks for the replies. The ECT doc said we would try right unilateral. I has bilateral last time and experienced ongoing memory loss which is why I approach ECT this time around with much trepidation.
>
> I have done both Nardil and Parnate (MAOI) over the years. Had nothing but weight gain with Nardil and could not tolerate the Parnate.
>
> Josh
My pdoc always tells me of a patient he had who would go for ECT and then off to work right after that! I know that's not the norm.I would love to think that having ECT would be supported where you work. But the ugly truth is that people are scared of anything to do with mental health. Then you get a label. I wish it wasn't that way.
If you think you can and do this, then I would come up with other medical condition that needs treatment. :) Some day I hope it won't be like this.
I wish you could have DBS ... I think that's the answer for many of us.
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on December 13, 2006, at 22:09:04
In reply to Re: How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment » JoshG, posted by Maxime on December 13, 2006, at 21:08:16
Hi Josh
So what are you going to do? Are you going to try and work while having the treatments. I hope you are not in a field where you have be really alert (you know what I mean).
I think you are brave to try the ECT again. Does your doctor know how many treatments you will need?
I'm thinking of you. :)
Maxime
Posted by Karen44 on December 14, 2006, at 20:22:54
In reply to How (or what) to tell work about ECT treatment, posted by JoshG on December 12, 2006, at 20:23:16
Can you take vacation time for two weeks to see how it goes? That's what I intend to do if I end up opting to do it. I am going to try Ensam first.
Karen44
Posted by JoshG on December 15, 2006, at 3:39:51
In reply to So what are you going to do?, posted by Maxime on December 13, 2006, at 22:09:04
Hi,
I called my boss yesterday and told him that I needed to go to the hospital for outpatient treatment three times a week starting next Monday. I told him that I was not sure if I was going to be able to work during the treaments. He did not ask for specifics, although he may remember that I took some time off for depression treamment three years ago. My first treatment is supposed to be this Monday, so I will take Monday night off from work and play the rest by ear.
On a side note, my psychiatrist has been playing phone tag with the managed health care people and has not officially gotten their blessing for the ECT yet. I will call them today to find out what my options are. I am not sure I want to start ECT without authorization from the wonderful folks at the insurance co. When I had ECT in '92 my health insurance had run out by then and I was driven into bankruptcy. Another wonderful side affect of ECT/the US health care system. My credit has recovered and I don't want to risk going down that road again.
Thanks again for all of the comments!
Josh
Posted by dessbee on December 15, 2006, at 5:34:56
In reply to Re: So what are you going to do? » Maxime, posted by JoshG on December 15, 2006, at 3:39:51
Well, I think the US health care system s*cks!
At times when you are sick you should only have to deal with your doctor. It's like you have to be healthy in order to be sick :-(
I really hope it works it works out for you.
Posted by B2chica on December 15, 2006, at 12:51:49
In reply to Re: So what are you going to do? » Maxime, posted by JoshG on December 15, 2006, at 3:39:51
Sounds like a good plan Josh.
best wishes to you, and if you can keep us updated on how you are doing, how the tx works for you.
Thanks!
b2c.
Posted by Maxime on December 15, 2006, at 18:45:38
In reply to Re: So what are you going to do? » Maxime, posted by JoshG on December 15, 2006, at 3:39:51
More like Mangled Health Care.
I REALLY hope everything works out for you. Please post if you can while you are having the treatments. :)
Hugs,
Maxime> Hi,
>
> I called my boss yesterday and told him that I needed to go to the hospital for outpatient treatment three times a week starting next Monday. I told him that I was not sure if I was going to be able to work during the treaments. He did not ask for specifics, although he may remember that I took some time off for depression treamment three years ago. My first treatment is supposed to be this Monday, so I will take Monday night off from work and play the rest by ear.
>
> On a side note, my psychiatrist has been playing phone tag with the managed health care people and has not officially gotten their blessing for the ECT yet. I will call them today to find out what my options are. I am not sure I want to start ECT without authorization from the wonderful folks at the insurance co. When I had ECT in '92 my health insurance had run out by then and I was driven into bankruptcy. Another wonderful side affect of ECT/the US health care system. My credit has recovered and I don't want to risk going down that road again.
>
> Thanks again for all of the comments!
>
> Josh
Posted by JoshG on December 31, 2006, at 22:08:18
In reply to Re: So what are you going to do? » JoshG, posted by Maxime on December 15, 2006, at 18:45:38
Hi,
I have had 5 unilateral ECT treatments so far. I am finding the anesthesia to be very scary / disorienting. They are using Ketamine for the anesthetic.
So far I am able to continue working.
Josh
This is the end of the thread.
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