Posted by Ilene on February 7, 2004, at 22:09:10
In reply to Re: Point -Counter Point: Effexor, posted by Althea8869 on February 7, 2004, at 19:11:45
> The one exception to what I wrote above, as has been expressed to me before, is that if you exclude side effects and dietary restrictions, then pound for pound MAOI's, eg Parnate, as a class are still, at least according to most published accounts, trials, and patient remission rates, the real heavyweights. Of course the Muhammed Ali of depression treatments continues to be ECT, but it is still greatly underutilized due to the obvious stigma and other issues, but frankly, if there were a signup list, Id get on it. Zap...Zap....your cured - (Yes, I realize its not quite like that, but that was for demonstration purposes for the general audience)...and for my next trick...
I think ECT is overrated. What I've read is that it works right away, if it's going to work, but it has a poop-out phenomenon just like AD drugs, which means that treatments have to be repeated. Secondly, there's been very little long-term patient follow-up. Thirdly, it doesn't work as well on patients who've demonstrated resistance to drug treatment. (The terminology makes it seem like we're being treatment-resistant on purpose, doesn't it?)
My pdoc and I have talked about it occasionally. I pointed out to her I'd have a difficult time getting back from a hospital all by myself (playing single mom right now), plus I have bad veins and don't tolerate general anesthesia very well. I don't understand why ECT has a reputation as a safe treatment if it requires general anesthesia. Then there are the cognitive problems it causes. Hard to imagine how well I would function if I couldn't even remember the way to the grocery store.
I.
PS: Is there a reason why you can't get it, if you want it?
poster:Ilene
thread:310638
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040204/msgs/310758.html