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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 13:48:03
I managed to get an appointment with a new psych last week. He is very experienced and has come recommended in a magazine with the leading consultants.
He went through my history and medications and suggested I try imipramine and lithium which i have started.
Finally he told me that with my long history of chronic depression and many failed drug trials I should really consider ECT.
He has suggested because i am moderately depressed i should need around 4 treatments.
I am due to go in on Monday. Im very scared but find I just can't live like this anymore. I mean I'm not contemplating suicide right now but my quality of life is so poor I feel it might get to that one day.
What do you all think? Im so scared about this. Scared about losing my memory and most scared that this may not work for me.
J x
Posted by linkadge on May 12, 2007, at 14:08:31
In reply to Having ECT, posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 13:48:03
Don't do it. Unless you are severly depressed and suicidal right now, don't do it. Its not worth the risks.
I am sure there are dozens of medication combinations you havn't tried.
ECT has a very high relapse rate. Something like >60% people releapse within a year. And then you're going to have the prospect of brain dammage on top of that.
Doing ECT is not something you can reverse if it goes wrong. Check out boards like remidyfind.com for real people's experiences.
Linkadge
Posted by Justherself54 on May 12, 2007, at 17:18:29
In reply to Re: Having ECT, posted by linkadge on May 12, 2007, at 14:08:31
I had ECT about 5 years ago..unfortunately it didn't work for me, however, the only thing I found bothersome about it was a bit of short term memory loss, although if I've forgotten something I ask the person to give me a rundown of what we're talking about and almost every time I start to recall it..
Would I do it again if I thought it would work and if I was in the state of depression I was in at that time..yes..
I have an acquaintance who had ECT about every two years..it is the only thing that rids her of her deep depression..she has done this for years..
You need to discuss your fears and concerns with your doctor as you need to be comfortable with your decision..
Wishing you the best
Posted by gazo on May 12, 2007, at 17:39:17
In reply to Having ECT, posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 13:48:03
a friend of mine had it done and it changed everything for him, for the better. It would be something i'd be scared to do but i'm not in your shoes. Do your homework and trust your gut. i'm not in your shoes so i can't say... i do suffer from bipolar disorder and the depressions get pretty bad. i do get dangerously suicidal. But i have to say that the long depressions were worse IMO. Give me intensity any day.
Can you go see the facility first? talk to staff? maybe ask to talk to anyone who has gone through it?
Posted by Racer on May 12, 2007, at 18:16:31
In reply to Having ECT, posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 13:48:03
I wonder why the procedure was scheduled so quickly? Personally, I would recommend giving the new drugs a chance to work -- AND taking some time to build up some trust in this pdoc. I know that that's important for me, and if doesn't sound as though you're really sure this is right for you. Maybe taking some time to give the meds a chance ot work, and to get to know the pdoc a bit better, would be good for you.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
Posted by MidnightBlue on May 12, 2007, at 18:30:18
In reply to Having ECT, posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 13:48:03
If it were me, I wouldn't do ECT unless I really HAD to. And I'm not sure I would do it then. I don't think moderately depressed is depressed enough for ECT.
MB
Posted by chiron on May 12, 2007, at 19:05:38
In reply to Having ECT, posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 13:48:03
ECT is the only thing that has really worked for me. After 5 I was feeling good- it was weird. A little memory loss for me, but managable. Good luck!
Posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 19:19:36
In reply to Re: Having ECT, posted by chiron on May 12, 2007, at 19:05:38
Glad to hear it worked for you chiron.
How severe was your depression and how long have you suffered from it?
I am getting so frightened now. My psych says i have tried everything and as i have had this for 10 years it is probably what i need to bring me out of this.
Posted by chiron on May 12, 2007, at 19:46:15
In reply to Re: Having ECT, posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 19:19:36
I was pretty severe when I tried it. I've been "medium depressed" ever since I can remember (over 20 years), but some of the drugs I've tried have really made it bad. I was on Adderall and Abilify when I ended up in the hospital. It was a couple weeks after I was out of the hospital when I decided to try ECT. I was nervous, but it helped to hear other peoples' positive experiences.
After my initial ECT series, which was about a year ago, I felt like I had never felt before- it was great. It didn't last at that level, but it definitely got me out of the severity. I have done it on and off since while trying different drugs this past year. I have recently decided to try no meds, because it seems like they just make me worse. In a while I think I'll go through another ECT series and try maintenance. I don't think the maintenance was very successful for me because of the meds (or at least that's what I'm hoping).
There were some days I'd actually go into work after I had had a treatment. It didn't affect my cognitive ability, just some memory issues.
Kitty Dukakis recently wrote a book called "Shocked" that would be worth reading. The chapters alternate between her story and a psychiatrist explaining it.
When do you go in? What has been your experience with drugs?
Posted by Phillipa on May 12, 2007, at 21:32:34
In reply to Having ECT, posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 13:48:03
Jenny I looked you up in the Archieves and it seems that one point you were suicidal which is not moderate depression it is severe. Do you still feel that way now? You also mentioned a supportive family are they aware that you are thinking of ECT. And prior to this doc you were on quite a few meds. Think this thing through and I think there is a website for ECT. Love Phillipa
Posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 22:03:24
In reply to Re: Having ECT » jenny80, posted by Phillipa on May 12, 2007, at 21:32:34
Hi phillipa,
when i went to see this new doc i told him that i think about suicide everyday but had not acted upon it. He told me i was moderate.
I'm really not sure about ect now. looked it up on the internet and i see that many people have suffered from permanent memory loss. while i would not mind this if it worked i dont think i could handle a treatment failure as well as having memory loss and having to go back to work.
wish there was something else i could do.
I think i am going to cancel ECT for the time being. I suppose i am thinking about suicide just because i cant see any hope of my miserable life resolving but i am too concerned about my family to go through with it.
My family do know i was going for it. They are supportive in my decision. I think they are just sad to see me waste another 10 years of my life living under this black cloud.
Posted by Phillipa on May 12, 2007, at 22:16:19
In reply to Re: Having ECT, posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 22:03:24
To me the thoughts of suicide make it severe not moderate. But that's me. Love Phillipa
Posted by Sebastian on May 12, 2007, at 23:44:26
In reply to Re: Having ECT, posted by jenny80 on May 12, 2007, at 22:03:24
Have you tried zyprexa? I had many ECT's I wish I didn't have. And I belive if I had taken zyprexa from the biginning, I would not have needed ECT.
This is the end of the thread.
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