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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by chiron on November 19, 2006, at 21:43:14
My first ECT series of 6 was a great success, which unfortunately didn't last. A few weeks later, I went through another quick series, but didn't seem to get the original positive results. My thoughts are that it was because I had increased my Cymbalta, and it was making me more irritable and down. I also noticed that after the ECT (2nd round), I would wake up feeling irritable. My dr. said they are independent, but to me it only makes sense that they are going to affect each other.
Does anyoone have any experiences or heard of anything similar? Where you can get a different ECT response based on the meds you are on?
Posted by blueberry on November 20, 2006, at 9:19:39
In reply to ECT Meds - Interaction?, posted by chiron on November 19, 2006, at 21:43:14
My first round of ECT was also highly successful. It was with ongoing 10mg prozac and 2.5mg zyprexa. But after the treatments I went in an agitated mania and then a suicidal crash, all within a couple days. It has been pure depression and anxiety ever since, which is exactly where I had started in the first place.
I met with the pdoc and he said a second round usually stands about a 50/50 chance as being as successful as the first, and that it is unpredictable. He said the important thing is to find the right schedule of continual maintenance, such as once a week, once every two weeks, or whatever works. He definitely did not like the idea of stopping and starting.
I don't know if the meds are involved or not. Seems to me like they would be. You could try reducing your dose and see if you feel better. If the dose is too high and you lower it, improvement should be obvious within a day.
My memory loss from ECT was right out of a scary Twilight Zone movie, and I'm not doing that again. Too bad, because I felt great. But without any memory of how to drive or work or anything, it was a cruel trade.
Posted by Phillipa on November 20, 2006, at 11:36:43
In reply to Re: ECT Meds - Interaction?, posted by blueberry on November 20, 2006, at 9:19:39
Blueberry thought you were going to continue less frequently. Are you working again? Love Phillipa
Posted by blueberry on November 20, 2006, at 18:50:40
In reply to Re: ECT Meds - Interaction? » blueberry, posted by Phillipa on November 20, 2006, at 11:36:43
> Blueberry thought you were going to continue less frequently. Are you working again? Love Phillipa
Just started a new job Phillipa. I pretty much forgot many parts of how to do my other job I've done for 7 years, and reached a threshold where I was just not liking it anymore.
ECT amnesia/confusion is usually not as bad as mine was. Mine was at the extreme end of the spectrum. Thank God I'm maybe 85% recovered from that amnesia/confusioin stuff, though there is about a 2 month chunk of my life that is gone forever and I will probably never regain memory of what happened in those 2 months.
My pdoc said it best...ECT is highly effective but also highly intrusive. You can't drive the same day. You may not be able to hold a job. You will have some degree of amnesia.
Posted by Phillipa on November 20, 2006, at 19:54:42
In reply to Re: ECT Meds - Interaction? » Phillipa, posted by blueberry on November 20, 2006, at 18:50:40
Blueberry than you are very lucky to be able to hold and work a job. What type of work. Not trying to pry and of course you don't have to reply. Love Phillipa ps did you remember me?
Posted by Karen44 on November 21, 2006, at 23:10:43
In reply to ECT Meds - Interaction?, posted by chiron on November 19, 2006, at 21:43:14
> My first ECT series of 6 was a great success, which unfortunately didn't last. A few weeks later, I went through another quick series, but didn't seem to get the original positive results. My thoughts are that it was because I had increased my Cymbalta, and it was making me more irritable and down. I also noticed that after the ECT (2nd round), I would wake up feeling irritable. My dr. said they are independent, but to me it only makes sense that they are going to affect each other.
> Does anyoone have any experiences or heard of anything similar? Where you can get a different ECT response based on the meds you are on?I have been told that it is best if one is off antidepressant medication while undergoing ECT.
Karen44
This is the end of the thread.
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