Starting ECT and Parnate tomorrow

Hopefullywellsoon1 · Mar 23, 2014, 01:17 AM

Hi all I just joined this to forum to vent and also get hopefully get some support along this next stage in my depression treatment. I'm 26 and have been suffering for 10 years with depression/anxiety and after being treatment resistant with countless antidepressants and antipsychotics and with many suicide attempts (also self harm to feel something other then darkness). I have voluntary come back to hospital after deciding to give ECT a go. My Psychologist agreed and also advised one of the most effective anti depressants, Parnate (which comes with a low tyramine diet).

I'm not sure what else to say or ask as I have never participated in a forum like this but any support from people in similar situations, especially anyone with advice on Ect treatment/recovery (what to expect and what not to expect).

It's taken a lot of time and energy just to write this so I will leave it there for now.

Fingers crossed

Curupira · Mar 23, 2014, 09:52 AM

Welcome, please keep sharing and good luck.

Altered Moment · Mar 23, 2014, 09:57 AM

Welcome to PC and keep us posted on how things are going.

I did a 6 week period of TMS. It is similar to ECT but not as invasive. It didn't work for me.

ECT is supposed to be very effective. Better than anything else I have read. They hesitate to use it because it is invasive. I wish you luck.

I have not heard of Parnate.

Altered Moment · Mar 23, 2014, 10:01 AM

You might search this section for ECT

Other Treatments - Forums at Psych Central

Hopefullywellsoon1 · Mar 23, 2014, 03:23 PM

Thanks guys I just got woken up put in a blue gown and now am waiting for the nurse to get me. It's funny that I'm not anxious about what is about to follow. I'm filled with hope that this will start to work (after at least 4-5 sessions). I am strangely excited about my first session (yet will prob forget writing this so it is good I got it down in words here so I can reflect.

It's possible you haven't heard of parnate because they only really prescribe it in Australia and a few other countries, as it's very dangerous if you don't follow the tyramine diet or take a few to many pills.

I will post after I have recovered and try to keep this an ongoing thread on my road to wellness.

Thanks again

TheOriginalMe · Mar 23, 2014, 10:04 PM

Hi there, hope your ECT went OK.

I had ECT a while ago now (in fact I was 25 so about the same age as you). It was far more effective than any medication I've had before or since. In fact I'm wondering whether ECT might be an option for me again now.

I'm sure the docs will have explained about the problems you may experience with memory. The degree of problem varies from person to person. My advice is to keep a diary and read and re-read it often. Even years afterwards I found I was able to fill in some of the gaps just because of the diary. Try not to worry too much about memory loss, after all meds can cause it and so does depression itself.

The one thing I had with ECT that I hadn't been warned about was a stiff jaw. When I mentioned it to the doc he changed to unilateral electrode placement and that fixed the problem. So if you do get any wierd physical symptoms don't be afraid to say.

I found that straight after the treatments I'd be wired for a couple of hours, then mellow and then my mood would drop again, but each time my mood stayed a bit higher than before. That's the big thing about ECT, when it works it is much quicker than meds.

The med you've started on sounds like a Mono-amine oxidase inhibitor, they are supposed to be most effective for atypical depressions. Did they tell you whether it is an old MAOI or a newer RIMA? I saw some research the other day that said that the dangers associated with MAOIs are not quite as high as once believed. I've never taken MAOIs but my doc thinks it might be an option because of treatment resistance.

Good Luck

if you want to get in touch you can always send me a private message.

Mar 24, 2014, 06:10 AM

I've been on Parnate and have been recommended to have ECT many times... but I've never gone through with it. The research I did at the time showed it was not all that effective for people in their early to mid 20's long term, so I decided against it, but was considering it again as recently as last week.

My Parnate experience was not a good one. I didnt have a high income at the time so the diet was hard to do when relying on others to feed you. I ended up having to go off it because of intense dizzyness, random black outs/fainting at work, and many nights were spent on the bathroom floor gagging because I thought there was something stuck in my throat. I dont know why I persevered with it so long. Back then I didnt know any better and followed doctors orders. Im so glad I have a new doctor and very good insight into my illness now.

Im glad I didnt give in to ECT last week, Im already feeling a ton better since my Zeldox has been increased. That worked for me in a matter of days.

I hope you are one of the lucky ones that gets more good than harm out of ECT. I just hope you did your homework on both it and the meds. Goodluck and I hope all goes well for you.

badcloud · Mar 24, 2014, 01:41 PM

Hi. I am completing a series of ECT treatments. And they have helped. And, I've really had no side effects. I had a headache after the 1st, so the doc added a drug in the treatment to deal with that, so I've experienced no aches of any kind (like headache, sore muscles, etc.) since. I've had no memory losses that I've become aware of. I wake up fully after treatment -- no need to take a nap or anything like that. Don't feel confused in the least. I hope the treatments go well for you.

shabur · Mar 24, 2014, 05:26 PM

I had 12 sessions of ECT over a 4 week period. I only had 2 side effects - it made me nauseous which my pdoc controlled with some medication and short-term memory loss. Th memory loss was odd because you don't know what you've forgotten until someone points it out.
ECT was successful for me. It did take the 12 sessions and some time after I was released from the hospital, but it did help pull me out of a deep depression.
Good luck with your treatment.

Jolisse · Mar 24, 2014, 06:15 PM

Just checking in to see how Hopefully is doing.

Hopefullywellsoon1 · Mar 24, 2014, 06:37 PM

Hi guys, thanks for the support.
The ect went great with no side effects apart from slight confusion after waking up. Was able to eat breakfast straight away then go out with family for lunch and see a movie. I hope they are all this easy.
Yes parnate is a is a MAOI. And is not for everyone , but I'm happy enough to be diet restricted if it's going to help me get well.
So I have ect Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. My first ect was to get a base line on when I would have a seizure (which was 4%). They will times it by 6 to get a effective therapudic seizure at 24%. Will be interesting to see if said effects increase with this higher power.
I will let you all know how it goes tomorrow and if I start to get any side effects to the parnate

Cheers

Hopefullywellsoon1 · Mar 25, 2014, 06:12 PM

Had my second session of ect this morning. Only side effect is feeling a little foggy in the head. Don't have the motivation like after last session to go out and do something so will stay inside for the day

Hopefullywellsoon1 · Jun 18, 2014, 01:53 AM

Just an update to this thread. I had 12 ect treatments and a couple of months on parnate with little to no positive effects. Feeling hopeless and lifeless

Jun 18, 2014, 07:25 AM

sorry to hear that it was not effective for you.

I was recommended for ECT as well. But after reading about ECT and having the doctor confirm that the medical world had ZERO understanding "how or if" ECT actually helped - I opted not to have it.

Best wishes to you.