[Moreta]

So, it's been a month since I saw my pdoc, and the last time he upped my lamictal from 100 mg to 400 mg. He also suggested ECT. I told myself I would give it a month and see how I feel, but I feel about the same. Maybe a little better, but not much. Had a halfway decent day yesterday, but that didn't last long, and i ended up just laying in bed for 5 hours yesterday afternoon. I woke up this morning pretty agitated, like I have been the past few days.

Anyways, I had an appt with my GP yesterday, and asked him his views on ECT, and he said that it was a safe procedure, that he had seen done before. Then he asked me if it was that bad (well duh, i wouldn't be asking if it wasn't). He also said that if he had tried all the alternatives, he would do it b/c it's so effective, and the short term memory loss, wouldn't bother him, if he felt that bad. He also said, he didn't see why it's not used earlier in treatment.

I'm also going to ask about disability, and see what the Pdoc will say about that. I really can't work being depressed as I am, not to mention every little thing stresses me out, and makes me depressed.

[Tosspot]

nothing else seems to be working?? I have heard that ECT is very effective and that its effects last a while. Just make sure you educate yourself first, they are going to induced a large seizure. But while I was in nursing school I was able to watch and ECT session with a patient of mine and it is not anything like the old movies!! My patient just slightly twitched.

(((((Moreta)))))

I'm sorry you have been feeling so low. I have had ECT before, and it worked wonderfully. However, I had to stop because it started making me very ill after the procedure. For about 3 days afterwards, I would be extremely nauseous, and even vomited once.

I did get the short term memory loss, and it was frustrating. Also, it took quite a while (several months to a year) to get it back. It was the last resort for me at the time, and it definitely helped me to overcome the worst depression I've had. I would ONLY consider ECT again if everything else had been tried. I disagree with your GP, however...I don't think it should be done earlier in treatment. It is a serious procedure, and I think it should be a last resort option.

Whatever you decide, I hope it helps you towards feeling better.

[Moreta]

Thanks all. My appointment actually went well. He said I showed improvement since the last time. He makes you fill in a mood chart for the past week every time you go. He said the symptoms should keep improving, on the higher dose of Lamictal, I just have to give it some time. Instead of having no good days, from last time, I'm up to 3 good days, so he took ECT off the table. He did change my klonopin to valium, so I hope that works better for my anxiety. Kept everything else the same.

Also I didn't chicken out this time and asked him about disability. He said to go ahead and apply, and he'd be more than happy to help with the process...yay!

[faerie_moon_x]

I agree with Melissa that it shouldn't be an early treatment but last resort. Any type of major treament like that should be last resort.



I don't know much about ECT myself except the short term memory loss. I hope whatever path you choose that you start to feel better.

[Tosspot]

(((moreta))) glad your appt went well!!

[Anneinside]

I have had ECT and am currently having it every 4 weeks. It is effective for about 80% of the people who have it. If you are sick afterward, it is probably the anesthesia used, not the actual ECT. They could try a different one. However, in your case, I would be reluctant to have ECT with your doctor. If he has never done it then I suppose he hasn't been trained either. I would not have ECT from a doctor who has not received the training. There are only two pdocs in the practice I go to who do ECT BECAUSE they have taken the training.

[faerie_moon_x]

Originally Posted by Moreta

Thanks all. My appointment actually went well. He said I showed improvement since the last time. He makes you fill in a mood chart for the past week every time you go. He said the symptoms should keep improving, on the higher dose of Lamictal, I just have to give it some time. Instead of having no good days, from last time, I'm up to 3 good days, so he took ECT off the table. He did change my klonopin to valium, so I hope that works better for my anxiety. Kept everything else the same.

Also I didn't chicken out this time and asked him about disability. He said to go ahead and apply, and he'd be more than happy to help with the process...yay!

Yay! I'm glad you're showing signs of improvement. I always say when you're right in the middle of it you can't tell had bad or good you're really doing until it is over. That's been my experience anyway.

[Beebizzy]

I had 12 sessions of ECT and it did nothing for me.

Moreta I am glad you have found another way and it's just a question of time - I hope not too much time!

Well done on the disability as well.

Originally Posted by Moreta

... He makes you fill in a mood chart for the past week every time you go...

Wow. I often have enough trouble rembering the day when I fill mine out, let alone the week(!) (But it has a number of things beside mood, so.... yeah, that's it! That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it(!) )

So glad your appt. went well, Moreta!

[tnlibrarian]

Glad it went well!