Posted by reese7194 on September 30, 2007, at 12:28:40
In reply to Re: Any recent ECT patients who can give feedback, posted by timidly on September 29, 2007, at 19:22:13
> Statistically, ECT remains one of the most effective short-term treatments for severe depression. {Notice the term "short-term")
>
> The recently FDA approved the Cyberonics Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) for depression. Cyeronics refers to VNS as "friendly, gentle, long-term ECT" (see http://www.vnstherapy.com). My pdoc gave me this as his last option.
>
> I received 12 ECT sessions at Baylor 25 years ago. The ECT was done in a cramped storage closet by 2 people and 1 observer. They always seemed to be in a rush. So much so that I was awake during 3 of the sessions done before the anesthesia kicked in. I still have nightmares about those sessions. It made things worse for me. told me he was out of options and recommended I find another pdoc. My memory of the family reunion two weeks prior to the ECT has not returned. My myoclonic seizures started during the time of the ECT sessions, perhaps coincidence.
> Results for the others in the group:
> - 1 complete success, person still doing great 3 years later
> - 2 improved just enough to qualify for a pass to spend one night a week at home.
> - 1 was unchanged, still almost a vegtable.
> - 1 unknown, transferred elsewhere.
>yeah same here with the vegas thing. i still find it very interesting how they are against the tms. it wouldn't help me but i don't think the vegas would either. it has some f*ck*d up side effects to. and i don't think it's easy to get out....
f*ck man i am .... i'll use the stupid useless word sorry. i think if i was to tell anyone who was thinking of e.c.t. or i would ask them one question? "is your doctor treating it like it's not a big deal" if they are get the f*ck out of there.i was very fortunate. i went through the wonderful process of decision for two months. decided yes. day before i was to go in got a call from my insurance company saying i could get 2 shocks at columbia and 2 at i don't remmember maybe nyu and that made me just a tad uncomfortabble.
then i was told by my wonderful doc that once i got into columbia which was a tuesday, they would proceed wednesday or friday. i find a sad dark humor that ect is done monday, wednesday, and friday. of course. there aint no f*ck*ng doctors around on the weekends. it just sounds like a car shop
anyway. so i finally go in. well my doc is f*ck*ng prick. of course they have to run tests and sh*t which could have been done as an out-paitent. so i have to wait for at least a week. by this point in my life i had been in so many f*ck*ng hospitals that after five minutes i would start or feel like i was going ot catch fire.
i had come off most my meds. by the third or fourh day i had dissipated to a rapid degree. just staring and sh*t.
my mom came and i got out of the hospital for a smoke. we went out. i ran. got on the subway.
it was cruel to my mom. though she understood.
anyway. i found out later from the main doc at nyu who used to run a lot of tests on that it would have had a really bad effect.
FOR ME WHAT I HATE IS HOW THEY SAY HOW F*CK*NG WONDERFFUL IT IS. WELL I COULD GIVE SOMEONE SOME SH*T THAT WOULD MAKE THEM FEEL NOT DEPRESSED ANYMORE.they don't seem to mention that a majortiy of people have to go in like a car for a little maintance.
i don't have an issue with e.c.t. , i have an issue with doctors who tell you "oh you'll be having lunch that day" and don't mention all the other thigns...
but then again... when you are literally hanging on without fingernails what is one to do?
thank you for what you said
i will never forget the peoples eyes or friends eyes that were going through ect. it's not something one should see
poster:reese7194
thread:783405
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070929/msgs/786053.html