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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by deniseuk190466 on September 21, 2006, at 11:43:14
Hi,
My psychiatrist wont let me try ECT as he says people don't have that until they've explored all other options first. He won't let me try it until I've taken Zyprexa regularly along with an antidepressant for 3 months. He also says my type of depression (Unipolar chronic) does not respond to ECT.
Whilst I'm really grateful for Zyprexa as it gets me out of the downward spiral, I don't want to take it regularly because it is sort of mind numbing and doesn't really make me feel less depressed just less physically crap with more energy.
I don't understand why he says I'm not indicated for it, I mean have they done studies on people with my type of depression having it and have they shown that it doesn't work for people like me. If there are then I can't find them. I just think they say it's not indicated for my type of depression because they don't tend to do it that much for people with my kind of depression as I'm still semi functional. The thing is I'm not content to be just semi-functional I want to enjoy life and experience pleasure, is that too much to ask? Am I being greedy? I guess it's like that song "Sit Down" by James "if I hadn't seen such riches I could live with being poor" and I know there is a better life than this!
Also, what I don't understand is that if people don't usually have it until they've explored all other options then how do they maintain a person once the person has been treated with ECT and is feeling well again. I mean if they had explored all other options before ECT what can they give them medication wise to stop them relapsing? I know they have proved that lithium and a tryciclic can help prevent relapse but had they not tried the patient on that before giving them ECT.
I'm sick of all of this, I had to take a Zyprexa the other day because I was feeling like a physical wreck and you try and find hope on the internet and all you get are negative reports like ECT was the worst thing I ever did etc etc. Surely depression is the worst thing you can ever do, and when you are truly depressed then nothing really matters anyway so how come people who have the memory loss have the get up and go to moan about it? I know when I'm really depressed nothing matters and I'm too apathetic and weak to complain about anything.
The way I felt yesterday I would have been quite happy to let somebody drill holes in my head and remove the offending piece of my brain that is making me feel this way.
Denise
Posted by med_empowered on September 21, 2006, at 13:53:54
In reply to Psychiatrist wont let me try ECT, posted by deniseuk190466 on September 21, 2006, at 11:43:14
ECT is (I think) reserved more for psychotic depression, severe mania, and now and then forms of schizophrenia and/or schizoaffective disorder. You **can** use it in chronic unipolar depression, but there's a pretty high relapse rate, and the side effects are awfully intense for a lot of people.
I'd say just try the meds for now. Have you tried a benzo? Stimulant? Provigil helps alot of people. There are other options besides ECT, so...its wise to try those before resorting to shocking.
Posted by fca on September 21, 2006, at 14:37:34
In reply to Psychiatrist wont let me try ECT, posted by deniseuk190466 on September 21, 2006, at 11:43:14
There are standards of professional care sometimes called "acceptable community practices" which spell out the acceptable protocols for different procedures--they are similar to "best practices" and are important not only in delivering safe and effective care but also managing malpractice litigation. Once you depart from these standards the burden is quite often on you. Before doing ECT on outliers it is not unusual to require that other interventions be required. My guess is that is what is going on. May not make you feel better but..... Best wishes fca
Posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2006, at 22:21:17
In reply to Re: Psychiatrist wont let me try ECT, posted by fca on September 21, 2006, at 14:37:34
Denise I know you're miserable but I agree with the others. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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