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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by iforgotmypassword on September 13, 2007, at 9:23:08
my doctor wants me to stay on risperidone at least for now, but the problem is i am wondering if this conflicts with ECT treatments. i had my first yesterday, and all went well (to point out, the hospital i am at seems to be exceptional in how it gives ECT, they use bifrontal, for example.) i even think i got a bit of benefit from the first. however i am worried over the rest of the course, i did feel pretty drunk, so i am worried that the cognitive/memory loss issue may show up as a cumulative effect of multiple ECT treatments. main thing i am worrying about is if the risperidone will contribute to a deleterious effect, and if i should really be trying to get off it. i think me and my doctor have already established a possible goal of the ECT is to no longer need risperidone (what i want badly.) they already took me off the lorazepam and the methylphenidate for the ECT treatments, so is it that i shouldn't worry, that APs are fine for during ECT?
sorta worried on top of that tho, as one of my big complaints is over residual extrapyramidal effects from so many meds, from such a while ago. (e.g. paxil which i stopped nearly 6 years ago. it gave me lasting akathisia and diurnal bruxism.) now i also get stiffness, problems with my facial muscles, tics... i sorta worry about crystalizing a recovery around risperidone, when that may stand in the way of helping my EPS problems. being in the hospital, i use cogentin very regularly, which also helps a bit to ease me enough to sleep. still not a drug i want to take around with me for life...
there's also those two articles that seem to support donepezil's use for cognitive protection, and one on galantamine that also says it helps a lot with maintaining "new learning." is anyone else is familiar with cholinesterase inhibitors for use during ECT courses?
so that, and main question asking if ECT is any less safe with risperidone...
thanx. :)
Posted by CareBear04 on September 13, 2007, at 11:21:09
In reply to ECT and risperidone, posted by iforgotmypassword on September 13, 2007, at 9:23:08
Hi there--
I had a course of ECT in the hospital last year. I was on a whole cocktail of meds at the time, including Abilify. I don't think atypical antipsychotics do anything to diminish the effectiveness of ECT, so I wouldn't worry. The only drugs that I know of that can are anticonvulsants, so I had to take my mood stabilizer and my Klonopin earlier in the evening so that it wouldn't interfere with my having a proper seizure from the ECT.
After each treatment, I was so tired out and would return to bed and sleep for most of the morning. I did have some cognitive impairment; I'm not sure how long it lasted. It definitely didn't last as long as other cognitive problems I've had, like from lithium toxicity. I was still able to interact with visitors-- in fact, I did so more effectively because I was less depressed-- but I had trouble with things like word games and things requiring sharp memory. After my course of treatment ended, I was able to return to work the next week. Sorry I don't know anything about drugs for cognitive prevention.
About risperdal-- I'm glad it has worked for you. Again, I don't think it will compromise your ECT. FOr me, though, and I can't be sure because I was on a big cocktail of meds, but risperdal seemed to cause mental fuzziness that finally went away when I went off it. If you haven't had any problems with it, though, I wouldn't worry about ECT making it worse.
Good luck!
CB
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