Posted by PhoenixGirl on September 21, 2001, at 15:50:41
In reply to Re: ECT, TMS, , ETC..... Phoenix Girl, Cam » Cam W., posted by shelliR on September 20, 2001, at 19:15:31
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I'm still undecided about whether to do TMS or ECT first, but I have an appointment with the TMS doctor in early October. I asked him about the legality question, and he said something like doctors use treatments for unapproved uses all the time. I guess that's like if a doc used Mirapex for depression. That's legal, but Mirapex is not approved by the FDA for depression. Anyway, I have not heard about people being hurt by TMS, and I know a woman who just got it from this doctor, and she is feeling better. She's not *well*, but she's better. My pdoc doesn't want me to try TMS because he's concerned that it hasn't been studied enough. There is something off about a doctor charging for an unproven treatment, and I think the TMS doctor is doing it because he wants to see his name in lights eventually. For being one of the first to use TMS.
What concerns me about the ECT is that I will have memory problems (the nature of which seems unpredictable), I'd have to be inpatient, won't have much of a support network, and I'd have to spin a web of elaborate lies because my family and coworkers will want to know where I am. The memory problem is the biggest worry for me. I'm only 23, I don't want to live like a senile old person. I can take the memory deficits that are short-term, but I fear having my ability to remember things in the future will be impaired. Like, where did I put my keys?, why did I come to the grocery store to get?, etc. However, I would be getting bilateral, and I don't think I'd need the full 12 initial treatments because I'm not so depressed right now that I'm actively suicidal. I'm just really scared about the memory problems because I don't even have family or friends to help me. Does anyone have suggestions and thoughts about my ECT concerns?
I really need a mood improvement, because depression has impaired my ability to make friends. I come across as flat, disinterested, and well, depressed. My anxiety and lack of experience make it hard for me to talk to people or show my personality. The three people I've met in Atlanta so far have all stopped calling me and actively avoid me when I've tried to reach out to them. This is a pattern in my life, and it makes me more depressed. So you see, this is an awful cycle that I haven't broke free of yet. I've improved, but the improvement has been so glacier-slow, I fear my youth will be lost when/if I get well. Well, whatever I do, it will be after October 8th, because that's when I come back from visiting my one friend that I made in college. We had a lot of fun together, though my depression almost drove her away, and I really want to spend time with her without memory problems. Anyway, this is where I'm at right now. A strange phenomenon that has happened in the last few weeks is that I feel somewhat better than usual. I don't know what happened, but that improvement came after my doctor suggested that I have ECT. Maybe my mood improvement is coincidental, or maybe it's because I know I have access to relief from depression, regardless of the side effects. We'll see if this lasts through my PMS time that is coming up soon.
> > Shelli - The latest news on TMS use in animals, when focused bilaterally on the limbic system, or on the left side near the Wernecke's area (I am not absolutely positive on the positions) did show some promise. It seems that they have to get new machines with magnets that focus better.
> >
> > Also, the seizure-inducing TMS looks promising. It should work as well as ECT, without the problem of deflection by bones of the skull (magnetic waves travel through bone with little interference, and the burning of the scalp with the high intensity magnetism that is used. Once they overcome these (and probably some other technical problems), seizure-inducing TMS may be as good as ECT, but one will require fewer pre-treatment meds and less risk of amnesia (due to smaller regions of the brain affected - focal stimulation).
> >
> > I have not heard much about Vagal Nerve Stimulation, but it seems like a much more invasive procedure, even than ECT (ie. risk of infection, harm to vagus nerve, etc.).
> >
> > There is another implant, in the news, that looks very promising (Deep Brain Stimulation - I think). It is used to decrease the tremors associated with Parkinson's disease. I've seen some stories on it, and if they implant it properly (it is a tricky operation), it works like a damn.
> >
> > - Cam
>
> Cam, you are correct in that Vagus Nerve Stimulation is a much more invasive procedure. But for those for whom medication and ECT are ineffective, it may be a very good option. It was probably not appropriate to suggest it to Phoenix Girl.
>
> Phoenix Girl, I do remember why the NIMH doctor was steering me away from the trials. He said the trials needed to be longer and they needed to have followup, which was not available at the time. If you can confirm this doctor is reputable, etc. I think you have a good shot. I think 15 sessions may be realistic from what I recall. Please though, do check that this doctor is authorized legally to use this technique outside the trials, because if he's not, it will be you that gets hurt if a discontinuation occurs. You are young and have plenty to time to pay back loans, etc. Also make clear what rights you are signing away and make sure you are comfortable with them. And let us know what's happening, either way. I may be the next one in line. $50 a pop is less than therapy < g >.
>
> Shelli
poster:PhoenixGirl
thread:79097
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