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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 blueberry on September 29, 2006, at 21:13:35
I have 2 ECT sessions behind me. No prob. I must admit it is actually a lot easier and a lot less scary to me than starting some new prescription pill. They say I need minimum 6 sessions to see any improvements begin.
One lady I was waking up next to who had her ECT just before me is 89 years old.
Just a few muscle aches in the legs is about all the side effects I am getting, with maybe just a little bit of spotty forgetfulness here and there, nothing any worse than meds do.
I cannot judge effectiveness yet. It's too early. If I could know in advance it was going to work and I had to make a decision right now...drugs forever or ECT maintenance forever...ECT wins hands down.
Posted by Phillipa on September 29, 2006, at 21:41:03
In reply to ECT Going Fine, posted by blueberry on September 29, 2006, at 21:13:35
Blueberry thanks for the update. Sounds like things are going well. Love Phillipa
Posted by SLS on September 29, 2006, at 21:46:55
In reply to ECT Going Fine, posted by blueberry on September 29, 2006, at 21:13:35
> I have 2 ECT sessions behind me.
What are you talking about?
You've had 12 already!
;-)
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on September 29, 2006, at 21:50:22
In reply to Re: ECT Going Fine, posted by SLS on September 29, 2006, at 21:46:55
Scott that's mean monday was the first at 6am. See I remember. Love Jan
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on September 30, 2006, at 11:30:45
In reply to Re: ECT Going Fine » SLS, posted by Phillipa on September 29, 2006, at 21:50:22
Good luck Blueberry! I hope it continues to go well.
Thanks Scott and Philipa for the chuckle. Something I need right now! :o)
Posted by tensor on September 30, 2006, at 12:57:28
In reply to ECT Going Fine, posted by blueberry on September 29, 2006, at 21:13:35
That's nice to hear. Pdocs keep reminding me all the time if i had considered ECT and i say yeah.. ..sure.. but there's still a lot of meds to try, isn't it? I don't why it scares me.
Good luck.
Posted by blueberry on October 2, 2006, at 16:48:11
Continuing with 10mg prozac and 2.5mg zypexa.
The third ECT session was today. I swear I feel decidedly worse after each session. I asked the people at the hospital if anyone ever gets worse with ECT and they said no. I do feel worse.
Confusion and memory problems are kicking in. I'm even momentarily blanking out on things you take for granted, like which cabinet the cups or plates are in, stuff like that. I don't mind these side effects. It's the worsened depression...whether it is perceived or real...that has me worried.
And my idiot psychiatrist fired me today. I had to cancel an appointment because they won't let me drive during ECT and because I am without a paycheck at the moment. The pdoc didn't like that and I think he was probably looking for any excuse to get rid of this tough case.
Anyway, I think I'll do one more ECT before making any decisions. I really do feel worse though.
Posted by Karen44 on October 2, 2006, at 17:23:52
In reply to ECT Update, posted by blueberry on October 2, 2006, at 16:48:11
> > And my idiot psychiatrist fired me today. I had to cancel an appointment because they won't let me drive during ECT and because I am without a paycheck at the moment. The pdoc didn't like that and I think he was probably looking for any excuse to get rid of this tough case.
>
> Anyway, I think I'll do one more ECT before making any decisions. I really do feel worse though.This is very troubling--the worsening of depression and your psychiatrist "firing" you. Did s/he give you a referral for another psychiatrist??? This is similar to what my psychiatrist almost did though it seems he was going to give me time to find someone else (on my own). What is this all about????
What does the doctor administering the ECT say about the worsening depression? I am sure you aren't the first person to report this. Do they think the depression will lift after more ECT or what??? I realize I am asking a lot of questions, but the whole senario does not sound good---getting more depressed and at the same time losing your psychiatrist.
Karen44
Posted by bassman on October 2, 2006, at 19:26:59
In reply to ECT Update, posted by blueberry on October 2, 2006, at 16:48:11
Hi Blueberry,
Sounds awful...I hope things work out. Here's what a bunch of folks that have had ECT think of it from remedyfind.com:
Posted by pseudoname on October 2, 2006, at 20:38:41
In reply to ECT Update, posted by blueberry on October 2, 2006, at 16:48:11
I really appreciate you posting your experience, bb. I wish you well. I'm stunned about your pdoc.
Posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2006, at 21:53:42
In reply to Re: ECT Update » blueberry, posted by pseudoname on October 2, 2006, at 20:38:41
Oh blueberry you're having such a tough time. I wish you could get someone to help you figure the babble mail thing. I'd love to talk to you in private. Love Phillipa
Posted by Bob on October 3, 2006, at 1:38:20
In reply to ECT Update, posted by blueberry on October 2, 2006, at 16:48:11
> Continuing with 10mg prozac and 2.5mg zypexa.
>
> The third ECT session was today. I swear I feel decidedly worse after each session. I asked the people at the hospital if anyone ever gets worse with ECT and they said no. I do feel worse.
>
> Confusion and memory problems are kicking in. I'm even momentarily blanking out on things you take for granted, like which cabinet the cups or plates are in, stuff like that. I don't mind these side effects. It's the worsened depression...whether it is perceived or real...that has me worried.
>
> And my idiot psychiatrist fired me today. I had to cancel an appointment because they won't let me drive during ECT and because I am without a paycheck at the moment. The pdoc didn't like that and I think he was probably looking for any excuse to get rid of this tough case.
>
> Anyway, I think I'll do one more ECT before making any decisions. I really do feel worse though.
I had 21 sessions of ECT, and looking back, I'd have to say that I never should have had so many. I was always expecting it to "kick in" and really start to provide undeniable benefits, but things got dangerous after awhile. When I hear your descriptions, it brings back some memories, although I fortunately don't have a lot of them from that time period. I guess there is just such a desire for something to work that people stick with it. I can remember asking the doc all kinds of questions about side effects, weird responses, unpleasant feelings etc., and they would basically not have any good answers. It's like you might expect: they give you a course of treatments and you either feel better, or you don't.
Posted by henryo on October 3, 2006, at 3:42:40
In reply to ECT Going Fine, posted by blueberry on September 29, 2006, at 21:13:35
Keep posting. I'm watching.
Posted by henryo on October 3, 2006, at 4:04:17
In reply to ECT Update, posted by blueberry on October 2, 2006, at 16:48:11
No, keep trying. I want it to work. Take all they've got. I want to belive in it. I've always held it in my mind as that last resort that cannot fail. I just listened to that Kitty Ducacus NPR link. I know it's selfish, but it seems so concrete. I mean electricity, zapped into ones brain, that's gotta work. Keep posting. I hope things get amaizingly better. Maybe it is the physical rottenness you feel and your mood will sort of catch up afterward. I tend to give up on most things too soon. Good luck.
Posted by Crazy Horse on October 4, 2006, at 10:34:59
In reply to ECT Update, posted by blueberry on October 2, 2006, at 16:48:11
> Continuing with 10mg prozac and 2.5mg zypexa.
>
> The third ECT session was today. I swear I feel decidedly worse after each session. I asked the people at the hospital if anyone ever gets worse with ECT and they said no. I do feel worse.
>
> Confusion and memory problems are kicking in. I'm even momentarily blanking out on things you take for granted, like which cabinet the cups or plates are in, stuff like that. I don't mind these side effects. It's the worsened depression...whether it is perceived or real...that has me worried.
>
> And my idiot psychiatrist fired me today. I had to cancel an appointment because they won't let me drive during ECT and because I am without a paycheck at the moment. The pdoc didn't like that and I think he was probably looking for any excuse to get rid of this tough case.
>
> Anyway, I think I'll do one more ECT before making any decisions. I really do feel worse though.It's going to take more than 4 treatments to feel better...most docs agree a minimum of 6 to notice any improvement. Stopping now would be a big mistake in my opinion, you'd be right back where you were..and as i remember that was pretty bad.
-Monte
Posted by Greenhornet on October 6, 2006, at 9:33:02
In reply to Re: ECT Going Fine, posted by henryo on October 3, 2006, at 3:42:40
Blueberry,
I have not posted for sometime, but let me encourage you to continue. I was an "ECT nurse" for a number of years and cannot say enough about the good I have seen the treatments do. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Yes, I too had treatments. I don't know your age and am not asking, but ECT has the best track record with older adults such a s myself 65+ if continued on a maintaince basis after the series is finished. We ususlly did these folks about once a month or more. Blessings -- you are in my prayers
Posted by saturn on October 6, 2006, at 17:11:17
In reply to ECT Update, posted by blueberry on October 2, 2006, at 16:48:11
How's it going Blueberry?
Posted by blueberry on October 11, 2006, at 12:51:45
So had my 7th ECT today. I get 3 a week. So far I haven't noticed any benefits. But I haven't gone downhill either. The doctors and nurses tell me they usually see a response somewhere between 12 and 20 treatments, so I guess I will have to stick with it for a few more weeks. I asked them for a percentage estimate of how many patients are helped by ECT...20%, 50%, 70%... and they said it is between 70% and 90%.
The whole procedure is pretty simple. They hook up a needle and tube to an arm vein. When ready the anesthesiologist hooks up a testtube of anesthesia to the needle and within seconds you feel yourself losing consciousness. And then the next thing that happens is you wake up when it is all over.
Even if ECT doesn't work, they tell me that it often makes medications work better than they would otherwise. We'll see. I would really love to see it work.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 11, 2006, at 15:54:05
In reply to ECT Update, posted by blueberry on October 11, 2006, at 12:51:45
You're so very brave, Blueberry. I really admire your courage. I wouldn't be able to have that stuff happen to me....but then again, I guess I'd do anything to try and be depression/anxiety free...
I really really hope it continues to be okay and to finally work.
Thanks for keeping us updated...
Posted by Phillipa on October 11, 2006, at 20:37:37
In reply to Re: ECT Update » blueberry, posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 11, 2006, at 15:54:05
Blueberry I've been so worried about you. I think of you everyday. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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