![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by blueberry on September 25, 2006, at 12:54:49
My first ECT session was 6:00 this morning and it went fine. I don't know whether it is placebo effect, relief in knowing that something new is being tried, recently stopping prozac and then lexapro which were both lousy, or the ECT itself, but I feel noticeably better today than in months.
The hospital says in there early days of ECT about 10 years ago they used unilateral but that it didn't work on many people and when it did it took a long time. They only use bilateral now.
I haven't played guitar in a while because of zero interest and too much depression, even though I love playing guitar. Today when I got home the first thing I wanted to do was play guitar.
The grass in my yard was very deep. I have been too depressed to mow the lawn for about 2 months. After playing guitar I had the urge to go out and mow the lawn.
I am also on 2.5mg zyprexa and 15mg remeron.
As far as short term memory loss goes, I had a hard time remembering what I did yesterday. Other than that no big deal. I'm sure memory loss and confusion will get worse with more treatments but I am praying it will be minimal.
They tell me it is usually 6 treatments (3 per week) before you start feeling better. Normally it requires 6 to 20 treatments. After that they see how long you can go without followup. Some people do well forever. Others require once a week, once a month, or whatever.
I am praying for all of us to find relief and peace from the devastating suffering of depression.
Anyway, ECT was very simple and mundane. No big deal at all. They hook up an IV, put you to sleep in seconds, do the treatment, and half an hour later you are on your way home. Much easier than dealing with long failed drug trials and infinite side effects. I hope it continues to be fine.
Posted by iforgotmypassword on September 25, 2006, at 13:33:33
In reply to First ECT went fine, posted by blueberry on September 25, 2006, at 12:54:49
good luck, hope things continue to do well.
keep monitoring your memory.
maybe ask if given that things are more survivable now, that if longer time (maybe even just a reduction to 2 ECT per week) would help keep your memory from getting any worse.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on September 25, 2006, at 13:49:56
In reply to First ECT went fine, posted by blueberry on September 25, 2006, at 12:54:49
i'm really glad it went well for you, Blueberry, and I really hope the success continues.
Kind regards
Meri-Tuuli
Posted by Jost on September 25, 2006, at 14:16:02
In reply to Re: First ECT went fine » blueberry, posted by Meri-Tuuli on September 25, 2006, at 13:49:56
So glad to hear that it went well.
I'd be very interested to hear how subsequent sessions go and your feelings, or reactions, as much as you'd be willing to share.
You posted here at least once yesterday. Maybe you mentioned something about Star*d? (Yeah, you did---it was informative, too. I hadn't realized there were new results from that study. So thanks.)
Jost
Posted by fca on September 25, 2006, at 14:26:11
In reply to First ECT went fine, posted by blueberry on September 25, 2006, at 12:54:49
Placebo or not (probably not) go with it. I am trying to imagine cutting grass with two months growth--what did you use--a scythe, tractor or industrial sized weed whacker. Or perhaps you beat it to death with your guitar.
I am very happy for you. fca
Posted by linkadge on September 25, 2006, at 15:28:55
In reply to Re: First ECT went fine--Congratulations, posted by fca on September 25, 2006, at 14:26:11
Yeah, best of luck. You know we will support you nomatter your decision. Keep in touch.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2006, at 19:27:39
In reply to Re: First ECT went fine--Congratulations, posted by linkadge on September 25, 2006, at 15:28:55
Blueberry so glad you're feeling better. I hope the treatments continue to work. Love Phillipa
Posted by Lindenblüte on September 25, 2006, at 22:32:53
In reply to Re: First ECT went fine--Congratulations, posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2006, at 19:27:39
Blueberry,
Thanks so much for keeping us up to date. It's nice to hear about ECT from someone who is just getting started. Best wishes for continued success!hope your LH fingertips aren't too sore from playing guitar? I just started playing violin again after 4 month hiatus. ouch! I can only play for about 5-10 minutes a day!
-Li
Posted by SLS on September 26, 2006, at 5:52:10
In reply to First ECT went fine, posted by blueberry on September 25, 2006, at 12:54:49
> My first ECT session was 6:00 this morning and it went fine. I don't know whether it is placebo effect, relief in knowing that something new is being tried, recently stopping prozac and then lexapro which were both lousy, or the ECT itself, but I feel noticeably better today than in months.
Interesting.
Let's hope that it's a harbinger of things to come.
I admire you for your decision.
It almost makes me want to go back and try it again. I had 6 unilateral left followed by 9 bilateral, but who knows if the application has changed since 1991. I did have Andrew Niernberg, MD take a look at my ECT EEGs during my consultation with him not too long afterwards. They do indicate seizures of sufficient duration. But who knows if they were of sufficient power or what? I don't know. In a correspondence with Max Fink, MD, he told me that much had been learned since 1991. And that was in 2000. I have not kept up with the research since 2000. I have to believe that inquiry into ECT is as vigorous as with any medical treatment, and that progress has been made.
Einstein: Insanity - doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Are today's zaps that much different from yesterday's zaps?
Any comments?
I think I'll wait for rTMS to get approved.
- Scott
Posted by fca on September 26, 2006, at 11:13:09
In reply to Re: First ECT went fine, posted by SLS on September 26, 2006, at 5:52:10
and contemporary uses--You might want to check it out--I imagine it can be downloaded if you do catch it live--Thought of You fca
Posted by Crazy Horse on September 26, 2006, at 13:36:46
In reply to First ECT went fine, posted by blueberry on September 25, 2006, at 12:54:49
> My first ECT session was 6:00 this morning and it went fine. I don't know whether it is placebo effect, relief in knowing that something new is being tried, recently stopping prozac and then lexapro which were both lousy, or the ECT itself, but I feel noticeably better today than in months.
>
> The hospital says in there early days of ECT about 10 years ago they used unilateral but that it didn't work on many people and when it did it took a long time. They only use bilateral now.
>
> I haven't played guitar in a while because of zero interest and too much depression, even though I love playing guitar. Today when I got home the first thing I wanted to do was play guitar.
>
> The grass in my yard was very deep. I have been too depressed to mow the lawn for about 2 months. After playing guitar I had the urge to go out and mow the lawn.
>
> I am also on 2.5mg zyprexa and 15mg remeron.
>
> As far as short term memory loss goes, I had a hard time remembering what I did yesterday. Other than that no big deal. I'm sure memory loss and confusion will get worse with more treatments but I am praying it will be minimal.
>
> They tell me it is usually 6 treatments (3 per week) before you start feeling better. Normally it requires 6 to 20 treatments. After that they see how long you can go without followup. Some people do well forever. Others require once a week, once a month, or whatever.
>
> I am praying for all of us to find relief and peace from the devastating suffering of depression.
>
> Anyway, ECT was very simple and mundane. No big deal at all. They hook up an IV, put you to sleep in seconds, do the treatment, and half an hour later you are on your way home. Much easier than dealing with long failed drug trials and infinite side effects. I hope it continues to be fine.
>
>AMEN!!! This is such good news Blueberry, I am sooo happy for you. ECT works, i had 24 treatments in 1997 (bilateral) and it/they pulled me out of the worst depression i have ever experienced. I am an advocate. I will continue to pray for you, i see only good things coming to you. :)
-Monte
Posted by fca on September 26, 2006, at 17:19:22
In reply to Re: First ECT went fine » blueberry, posted by Crazy Horse on September 26, 2006, at 13:36:46
Kitty Dukakis Backs ECT for Depression
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6145727
(Link for Listening)
Fresh Air from WHYY, September 26, 2006 · Former gubernatorial first lady Kitty Dukakis and writer Larry Tye discuss their new book, Shock: The Healing Power of Electroconvulsive Therapy. Dukakis, the wife of former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis, battled depression for over 20 years. She says electroconvulsive therapy dramatically changed her life for the better.
Posted by deniseuk190466 on September 27, 2006, at 12:17:12
In reply to First ECT went fine, posted by blueberry on September 25, 2006, at 12:54:49
Hi Blueberry,
Glad the first one went ok, keep us posted because I'm really hoping this will work for you.
If it works for you then maybe (if I can convince anyone to let me try the full course) it will work for me too.
Denise
Posted by Crazy Horse on September 28, 2006, at 12:28:55
In reply to Re: First ECT went fine, posted by SLS on September 26, 2006, at 5:52:10
>
> Einstein: Insanity - doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
>
Okay. But, in the case of ECT, doing the same thing over and over again in a highly favorable percentage of patients has resulted in improved quality of Life!Einstein recieved over 200 ECT treatments in his lifetime you know! LOL (just kidding of course).
-Monte
Posted by henryo on October 3, 2006, at 3:34:37
In reply to Re: First ECT went fine, posted by deniseuk190466 on September 27, 2006, at 12:17:12
I have always wanted to try it. Please keep posting.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.