Posted by jaby on October 6, 2002, at 22:09:01
In reply to Re: ECT for partial med responders? » jaby, posted by Chloe on October 5, 2002, at 12:45:25
Chloe,
I'm fairly certain I'm going with the ECT. It's tough though because I'm BPII and things are really up and down. When I'm up (never quite normal though) I ask myself why I'm considering such a suposedly invasive treatment. I know there is going to be a down side though too. Maybe getting it done while I'm feeling better is exactly what to do(?). I do think I will be a wreck going off meds (neurontin, lithium, lamictal, valium-all anti seizure), but it would be well worth it in the end. Having seen how irt almost literally brought my sister back from the dead is almost a sincher.If I were to do it it would be bifrontal two times a week for three weeks and then taper from there over a good period of time. My dr. says he thinks I will only need to miss work for the first three weeks. Does that sound right to you? I appreciate your input and am so happy things are working out so well.
Take care.> Jaby,
> I am in the middle of a course of ECT. It has been incredibly helpful. I started with unilateral ECT that had very little effect on my memory at all. After about 5 treatments I switched to bilateral ECT because I was no longer having any improvemnt. Well, the bilateral is extremely effective! I have been receiving treatmtent for mental illness since age 11. I am now 36, and I am finally having some relief from the terrible depression, fury, irritablity and distorted thinking without devasting side effects. I have tried almost every med out there, and I most always experience adverse/atypical reactions. I will forever have TD or tongue movements in my mouth from use of typical ap's in the past....
>
> I feel truly blessed that my pdoc OK's this procedure, and the my insurance is covering it...since it is regarded as a medical procedure.
> IMHO, ECT is extremely effective, and not very disruptive to one's life. The only drawback is that I am not supposed to drive for the duration of my treatments and maintanence treatments...But that is ok, since my coordination is just the teeeniest bit off. So it's probably better that I don't handle heavy machinery. And it's nice to have the increased socialbility from getting a ride...
>
> My memory is a bit more impaired with the bilateral. But it's not really troublesome. And frankly, I feel like it's a blessing to forget some things! It's easy enough to ask someone for a reminder. But I kinda enjoy having my mind emptied of it's troubles :)
>
> Good luck to you
> Chloe
poster:jaby
thread:122007
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021006/msgs/122589.html