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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Sebastian on June 28, 2005, at 18:58:15
In reply to Lets talk about ECT........., posted by ed_uk on June 24, 2005, at 17:53:58
> Hello,
>
> I'd like to hear from people who've had ECT. I'm not considering ECT myself but I've got a couple of friends who's pdocs have recommended ECT.ECT is the strongest med out there.
>
> If you've had ECT, how were the electrodes placed...
>
> 1. Right unilateral
> 2. Left unilateral
> 3. Bitemporal
> 4. BifrontalThey did not tell me.
>
> How often did you have ECT during the initial phase? How many treatments did you have? Did you recieve continuation or maintenance ECT? How often?I had ECT probably every day for about a month.
>
> Why were you given ECT? eg. depression, schizophrenia etc.They did not tell me that either.
>
> Were you forced to have ECT or did you choose to have it?They forced me.
>
> How were you treated by your 'shock doc', did they provide you with good information? Did they undermine your side effects?They draged me out of bed unexpectidly and gave me the ECT. After the ECT memory was nothing. The only thing I came to expect was a heavy dose of morfine (spelling). and then I would pass out.
>
> Did you tell your family/friends/boss that you were having ECT?I was jobless and in hospital.
>
> Before ECT, were you given a premedication?They gave me lots of medications at the time, no I don't know what they were giving me.
>
> Do you have any idea which anesthetic you received? eg. propofol (Diprivan), methohexital (Brevital), thiopental (Pentothal), etomidate (Amidate) etc.morphine is what they told me.
>
> How did you feel when you came around from the anesthetic? If you remember!!! :-OLike my brain was dead, compleatly fried. Probably the effects of ECT. Often I woke up not knowing what had happened. Once I even thought I was just born and in an alien world, because I did not reconize anything that I was looking at. Which after a while I decided it was a radio.
>
> Was ECT effective in reducing your depression/psychotic symptoms??I didn't know what depression was after. In fact I didn't know what anything was.
>
> Do you regret having ECT........would you have it again?I would never do ECT again. I wish I had not had so many of them. After ECT it was like starting life over again. Not to mention my brain could not think or most importanly remember any thing.
>
> What side effects did you have from ECT? eg. anterograde amnesia, retrograde amnesia. Did you ever regain your lost memories? Do you feel that you have suffered permanent cognitive damage?Ten years later and I still have not regained some memories. Slowly over the years things would come back to me. And all the time my exgirlfreind of the time would and still does remind me of things I have only seen in dreams and some times don't remember.
>
> After ECT, what medication did you receive to prevent relapse? eg. nortriptyline, lithium etc. If you relapsed, how quickly?After ECT I refused to take any meds. So I went medless and would relapse and end up in hospital again.
Finaly I started taking zyprexa a year later. Since the zyprexa I have not needed any ECT. I took zyprexa for 7-8 years and now I'm switching to geodon which seems to work for the last 6 months.
>
> Do you believe that your ECT restored the efficacy of a 'pooped out' antidepressant?Before ECT I had not taken many or much medication. And aparently none was working. Meds that I had taken in hospital.
>
> If your course of ECT was not effective, would you consider having a different type of ECT in future? eg. bilateral instead of unilateral or high-dose unilateral instead of low-dose unilateral.Never again. I remember things much better when I smoke pot heavly for many years. I did reach a point when I quit pot and after 3 years the memories got bad again. And yes ECT did cross my mind. But instead I smoked a little pot and seem to have gotten over the whole idea.
>
> If your ECT was effective but caused substantial amnesia, would you consider having a different type of ECT in future? eg. right unilateral instead of bilateral or bifrontal instead of bitemporal.once again all I know is that I had ECT, it took many years to get that much information out of them.
>
> ~Ed
>
>
Posted by ed_uk on June 29, 2005, at 2:26:00
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT........., posted by Sebastian on June 28, 2005, at 18:58:15
Hi Ivan,
>They forced me.
>They draged me out of bed unexpectidly and gave me the ECT.How awful, I'm sorry you had to go through that.
>Like my brain was dead, compleatly fried.
It sounds like you probably had bitemporal ECT.
>Once I even thought I was just born and in an alien world, because I did not reconize anything that I was looking at.
That sounds very frightening.
Thank you for posting :-)
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on June 29, 2005, at 7:12:43
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » ed_uk, posted by Mr.Scott on June 28, 2005, at 1:39:51
Hi Scott,
Thanks for being so kind and answering my questions :-)
I remember you saying that you suffered from a lot of anxiety.
I wanted to ask.........
What effect has ECT had on your anxiety?? .......and what sort of anxiety do you suffer from?
Thank you :-)
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by Mr.Scott on June 29, 2005, at 22:46:12
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » Mr.Scott, posted by ed_uk on June 28, 2005, at 2:50:51
Hi.
I know it's not recommended, but I can drive a couple hours later without noticing much except muscle aches. I'd say 2 hours and I'm back to full functioning...Maybe 3 or 4 a couple times..
But nothing so bad I can't carry on a high level discussion even 30 minutes after waking up.
Scott
Posted by Mr.Scott on June 29, 2005, at 22:52:10
In reply to Re:Can ECT change the way you speak?, posted by Denise1966 on June 28, 2005, at 9:55:35
No worries on the question, but it made me smile.
I'd probably look more at depression and meds. Usually the average person getting it is pretty severely depressed. I am pretty animated and generally a type A personality unless depressed whereupon I am lethargic and perhaps monotone due to apathy and depression, but thats only at my worst which was probably two winters ago. You can call me anytime...I doubt you'll find me monotone today. If anything (particularly after drinking several cups of coffee) I'll sound quite gregarious and possibly even intense.
Scott
Posted by Mr.Scott on June 29, 2005, at 23:15:55
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT........., posted by Sebastian on June 28, 2005, at 18:58:15
Thats an awful story...What do you generally suffer from that requires Zyprexa?Scott
Posted by ed_uk on June 30, 2005, at 10:07:52
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » ed_uk, posted by Mr.Scott on June 29, 2005, at 22:46:12
Hi Scott,
>I'd say 2 hours and I'm back to full functioning...
Wow :-) How long did it take after bitemporal?
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on June 30, 2005, at 10:25:20
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » Sebastian, posted by Mr.Scott on June 29, 2005, at 23:15:55
Hi Scott,
Does the ECT help your anxiety? What sort of anxiety do you suffer from?
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by Sebastian on June 30, 2005, at 11:52:59
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » Sebastian, posted by Mr.Scott on June 29, 2005, at 23:15:55
It all started with a case of PTSD. I saw a horible acident and then took the blame. I moved and slowly stated to snap. Sort of all at once I ended up in hospital 3 times in a row. Each time with ECT's. The second hospital stay was the one I described above. The first hospital stay I don't even remember getting ECT's. The 3rd hospital stay was the result of a doctor who didn't know me freaking out. It was a short stay and no ECT. This was after I started taking the pills, so I wouldn't have to go back to hospital again.
Posted by ed_uk on June 30, 2005, at 16:40:32
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT........., posted by Sebastian on June 30, 2005, at 11:52:59
Hi Sebastian,
It sounds like you're doing well on Geodon :-) Are you still taking a small dose of Zyprexa?
~Ed
Posted by Sebastian on July 1, 2005, at 10:59:41
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » Sebastian, posted by ed_uk on June 30, 2005, at 16:40:32
I take 1.25 mg zyprexa. I might as well quit it. Probably will very soon. I take 4-60 mg geodon's. My only side-effect of the geodon is a slight sedation, which is good bacause I take 3-4 100 mg bupropion's. I'm cutting down on the celexa also. I only take 20 mg now. At one point I was on 80 mg. I'm going to stop this one too.
Posted by ed_uk on July 1, 2005, at 11:46:47
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT........., posted by Sebastian on July 1, 2005, at 10:59:41
Hi Seb,
Tapering Zyprexa gradually is vital........to avoid withdrawal symptoms :-)
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by Sebastian on July 1, 2005, at 11:56:08
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » Sebastian, posted by ed_uk on July 1, 2005, at 11:46:47
I've already learned that one the hard way.
This time I've been tapering over 6 months. Down from 10 mg zyprexa, to 1.25.
Posted by ed_uk on July 1, 2005, at 12:18:00
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT........., posted by Sebastian on July 1, 2005, at 11:56:08
Hi Seb,
>I've already learned that one the hard way.
I remember you talking about the withdrawal symptoms!
~Ed
Posted by Druery on July 1, 2005, at 22:29:56
In reply to Lets talk about ECT........., posted by ed_uk on June 24, 2005, at 17:53:58
> Hello,
>
> I'd like to hear from people who've had ECT. I'm not considering ECT myself but I've got a couple of friends who's pdocs have recommended ECT.
>
> If you've had ECT, how were the electrodes placed...
>
> 1. Right unilateral
> 2. Left unilateral
> 3. Bitemporal
> 4. Bifrontal
>I don't know.
> How often did you have ECT during the initial phase? How many treatments did you have? Did you recieve continuation or maintenance ECT? How often?
>I don't remember how many treatments I had. More than average.
> Why were you given ECT? eg. depression, schizophrenia etc.
>
Depression.> Were you forced to have ECT or did you choose to have it?
>I chose to have it.
> How were you treated by your 'shock doc', did they provide you with good information? Did they undermine your side effects?
>Everyone treated me well.
> Did you tell your family/friends/boss that you were having ECT?
>I've told some people.
> Before ECT, were you given a premedication?
>Just the anesthetic.
> Do you have any idea which anesthetic you received? eg. propofol (Diprivan), methohexital (Brevital), thiopental (Pentothal), etomidate (Amidate) etc.
>No.
> How did you feel when you came around from the anesthetic? If you remember!!! :-O
>I felt woozy and foggy and had a headache.
> Was ECT effective in reducing your depression/psychotic symptoms??
>No.
> Do you regret having ECT........would you have it again?
>I don't regret having it, but I wouldn't have the same kind again, as it didn't work for me.
> What side effects did you have from ECT? eg. anterograde amnesia, retrograde amnesia. Did you ever regain your lost memories? Do you feel that you have suffered permanent cognitive damage?
I've lost memories. They seem to gradually be coming back, but it's been only a couple of months. I feel stupider, but depression makes me feel stupid, too. I'm less talkative than I used to be, but again, it could be the depression.
>
> After ECT, what medication did you receive to prevent relapse? eg. nortriptyline, lithium etc. If you relapsed, how quickly?
>I stayed on Marplan.
> Do you believe that your ECT restored the efficacy of a 'pooped out' antidepressant?
>No.
> If your course of ECT was not effective, would you consider having a different type of ECT in future? eg. bilateral instead of unilateral or high-dose unilateral instead of low-dose unilateral.
>Yes.
> If your ECT was effective but caused substantial amnesia, would you consider having a different type of ECT in future? eg. right unilateral instead of bilateral or bifrontal instead of bitemporal.
>
> ~Ed
>
>I don't regret having the treatments. Nothing else worked. Unfortunately, the ECT didn't work either, but I think it was worth the try. There's no way to know ahead of time.
--formerly Ilene
Posted by Mr.Scott on July 2, 2005, at 1:21:18
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » Mr.Scott, posted by ed_uk on June 30, 2005, at 10:07:52
2-3 days after bilateral..
Posted by Mr.Scott on July 2, 2005, at 1:31:00
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » Mr.Scott, posted by ed_uk on June 30, 2005, at 10:25:20
Hi!
Yes it helps wonderfully. Mostly I have dread/GAD probably secondary when I'm depressed. I used to have panic/social phobia, but that is completely gone. These days I speak from podiums without any trouble at all.
Scott
Posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 6:09:44
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT........., posted by Druery on July 1, 2005, at 22:29:56
Thanks Ilene :-)
What dose of Marplan are you on?~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 6:11:13
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » ed_uk, posted by Mr.Scott on July 2, 2005, at 1:31:00
Hi Scott!
That's great :-D Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
~Ed
Posted by Druery on July 2, 2005, at 14:08:50
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » Druery, posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 6:09:44
> Thanks Ilene :-)
> What dose of Marplan are you on?
>
> ~EdI'm not on it anymore. It didn't work for me. I don't remember the dose.
I.
Posted by ravenstorm on July 4, 2005, at 10:40:29
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » ed_uk, posted by Druery on July 2, 2005, at 14:08:50
Mr. Scott, I was just wondering where you live and where you are receiving treatment?
Someone once told me that pdocs/hmos won't even consider giving you ECT unless you have done full trials of SSRIS and tricyclics AND MAOIs. Does anybody know if this is true or not?
Also, does anybody know how rTMS compares to ECT?
Posted by ravenstorm on July 4, 2005, at 10:58:35
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT......... » ed_uk, posted by Druery on July 2, 2005, at 14:08:50
Another question. Does anybody do OK just on ECT with no medication? Mr. Scott, you have indicated you still take meds. I would like to avoid meds again if possible but am fading fast.
Posted by Mr.Scott on July 5, 2005, at 0:17:42
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT........., posted by ravenstorm on July 4, 2005, at 10:58:35
Greetings!
I take 12.5mg of Zoloft, 40mg of Adderall XR, and .75mg of Clonazepam daily. I take the adderall/clonazepam for Fibromyalgia fatigue and poor concentration, but the clonazepam is to be tapered, and the Adderall feels like 30mg may be becoming more appropriate. We'll see. The Zoloft is there because I have such a busy life and its so good compared to where it was that I don't want to deal with any changes/withdrwal right now. I will however get to that last bit of Zoloft soon enough. I have no side effects at these dosages however.
Unless You're planning on finding a maintentance schedule that works for you, it is likely you will need to take meds. I found that after my initial series of 6 right unilaterals that I got about 3.5 months out of it. After that I went back to my old depressed self. Then I had 3 more right unilaterals and now maintain a schedule of 1x every 4 weeks. However, the plan is to keep stretching that out so that they are further and further apart. Right now...after about 6 weeks I start getting depressed again from the 1x per month schedule of low dose right unilateral.
Scott
Posted by Mr.Scott on July 5, 2005, at 0:21:47
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT==Mr. Scott, posted by ravenstorm on July 4, 2005, at 10:40:29
I have no experience re: TMS. However...I doubt it is true about insurance companies and ECT although again I'm no expert on insurance matters. I do know from what I read and am told by docs that since ECT is 80-90% effective it would likely be the treatment of first choice if not for 1) the stigma, and 2) the inherent anesthesia risk associated with all surgical procedures.Scott
Posted by Mr.Scott on July 5, 2005, at 0:26:46
In reply to Re: Lets talk about ECT==Mr. Scott, posted by ravenstorm on July 4, 2005, at 10:40:29
My apologies... I'm moving through my email too fast and didn't see the first part of your post.If you want to know specifics about my location and treatment whereabouts, I'd prefer that you send me an email address so that I can remain somewhat annonymous.
Scott
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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