Today I talked to my doc, and honestly told him that I didn't think I had been on enough anti-depressants to just go ahead with ECT. I've only been on prozac & cipralex (SSRIs), so he's putting me on Cymbalta (SSNRI), and he's increasing my tegretol dosage.

So I might not even have to do ECT, if these med changes help enough. Of course, there's the possibility that this new med might make me manic, like cipralex did, but I still have hope. I'd much rather have a med make me feel better, than risk trying ECT. He said that the possibility of ECT is still there though...it might even be used in combination with my meds. But at least we're not doing it for now.

I didn't expect for my opinion to be listened to so quickly. It was easier than I thought!

[Amandas256]

That's great! I take Cymbalta and it works for me so maybe it will work for you too! Do you know when you are getting out of the hospital?

Originally Posted by Amandas256

That's great! I take Cymbalta and it works for me so maybe it will work for you too! Do you know when you are getting out of the hospital?

Thanks!

I'm not sure when I'm getting out...I've been here for over 2 months but am not stabilized yet. So it really depends how long it takes for me to be stable. Hopefully this medication does the trick!

[leah0306]

Originally Posted by ohseedee

Today I talked to my doc, and honestly told him that I didn't think I had been on enough anti-depressants to just go ahead with ECT. I've only been on prozac & cipralex (SSRIs), so he's putting me on Cymbalta (SSNRI), and he's increasing my tegretol dosage.

So I might not even have to do ECT, if these med changes help enough. Of course, there's the possibility that this new med might make me manic, like cipralex did, but I still have hope. I'd much rather have a med make me feel better, than risk trying ECT. He said that the possibility of ECT is still there though...it might even be used in combination with my meds. But at least we're not doing it for now.

I didn't expect for my opinion to be listened to so quickly. It was easier than I thought!

ohseedee, i hope this new med will be the one that works well... are you doing okay,there?? I hope your treated fairly and things are okay,...i am considering asking about ECT , looked at bcbc handbook and not sure if its covered, ill check on that, but it SEEMS it would be great to get relief with this, and not take so many meds, im sick of it myself... i still have trouble functioning with the large amount i take, ECT sounds like an answer for that....take care and focus on getting well

Thanks very much leah
Yes, they are treating me well here. Sometimes I feel like the workers are getting tired of me, but I think that is just the paranoia speaking. I mean, I should be here if I'm sick, which I am. So I shouldn't feel guilty, right?

I hope you find what works best for you, whether it be medication or ECT treatments. Best of luck to you.

[sugahorse1]

hey there - i def agree you need to try some more meds first. My new pdoc was also keen for me to try ECT, but I didn't think I was that far gone yet, lol!

[Anneinside]

I am currently having ECT once a month. I started May a year ago 3 times a week for about 10-12 session. Then once a week, every other week, every third week and now once every four weeks. It has really helped me and I have very little memory problems .. I would say none but how do you know if you don't know something LOL. They use as little power as possible, you are under anesthesia so you don't even know that anything happened.

When I started, I went to my pdoc and asked for ECT as I was so suicidal I was afraid I would do it. It was a good choice. I still take my medication but notice a slight drop in my mood the last week before ECT. I would be willing to continue ECT indefinitely because it is so helpful for me as it keeps the depression away.