ECT???

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2004
ECT???
8
Mon, 01-30-2006 - 10:41am
My pdoc has talked to me recently about ECT due to my rather limited success with meds. I am hesitant to discuss it further. I am trying to figure out how in the WORLD it would benefit me. Has anyone had it? What does it do? Does it help with mania? Depression? Jumbled thoughts? Anxiety? Does it help at all? Is it worthwhile? Right now my thoughts are so jumbled I am unable to stay on task at work. I fade out with one thought or another and forget what I was doing. I am repeating the same task over and over not remembering if I did it or not. Most frustrating. I am coming off the worst manic epidose I've ever had. I went nuts after buying the car and was bouncing off the walls. Literally. This lasted more than a week. At night my thoughts would not SHUT UP. My lamical which is 300 mgs, two mg's of xanax, four serequel, and 10 mgs of ambien had NO EFFECT on me. I was just too wired. I have come off it the tremendous high now. But yesterday I had no energy at all. Spent the whole day on the couch in exhaustion. But the jumbled thoughts remain. Pdoc talked about (but has not yet recommended ECT). I have no fear of it, but I don't want it if it's not going to do anything. If anyone has had any experience with it I'd like to know. I looked it up and it said it is often used to treat medication resistant BP but that's all.
Thanks!
Jodie

Jodie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: pommom2005
Mon, 01-30-2006 - 10:51am

Jodie,

ECT has been mentioned to me too...I know several people who have had "success" with it treating the DEPRESSIVE side of BP. Which I CANNOT STAND. I would do it in a second if it would help with that...esp since I can't take a/d's. I'm a huge mess right now, and rapid cycling like crazy, no pun intended. I hate it so much. I can deal with the manias...for the most part...

The people I know who have had success with ECT, its lasted at least 2 years without a depression coming back...HOWEVER, they were not BP...they were severely depressed.

I don't know. ALl I know at this point is that i would do it in a minute if they thought it would help.

I just can't take all this anymore.

Hang in there...okay?

Love you

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
In reply to: pommom2005
Mon, 01-30-2006 - 7:46pm
Jodi, I will be honest being a nurse I would be nervous! But, when I was doing my clinical rotation in pschiatrict {can't spell it} nursing, I saw an older lady go and have it done, I was amazed! But for my self, I don't know. My thoughts will be with you hon!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
In reply to: pommom2005
Tue, 01-31-2006 - 11:40pm
Hello, Im also in need of info on ECT because I was told it is now my only option at this point!! My doc keeps telling me to keep a positive attitude and everything will work out with the ECT sessions... and then after the sessions, I have to get what they call a Vagus Nerve Stimulator surgically placed in my chest to contine to send the pulses to my brain-----Im currently reading a book called "MORNING HAS BROKEN" by: Emme and Phillip Aronson---which describes his ordeal with ECT and it was a VERY POSITIVE one too. He says that it was a miracle treatment for him----so maybe try to check out that book/presently Im only 1/3 of the way thru it so I dont have any more info for you ---BUT I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT if you could let me know if you get any info on this subject??!!!! THANK YOU
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: pommom2005
Wed, 02-01-2006 - 7:58am

Just wanted to say hi...I am glad you brought that book you're reading up...i may look into reading it as well...I'm so tired of this I don't know what else to do.

I'm glad you posted.

Hugs,

Keli

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
In reply to: pommom2005
Wed, 02-01-2006 - 10:06am
Thanks for the welcome...Im also at wits end about this disorder and Im also alittle skeptical about the ECT so Im trying to gather all info on the subject....ttyl...
Macksie
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
In reply to: pommom2005
Wed, 02-01-2006 - 10:38am

I've known 3 people who have had ECT--all say they were helped by it, although they had varying levels of memory loss after the fact.

Avatar for missyflanders
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: pommom2005
Wed, 02-01-2006 - 4:30pm

What BP magazine? Did you sign up for BP hope? Or do you get another one? If you get another one, which one and how do I sign up, LOL?

Missy

 
 
Avatar for suziq_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: pommom2005
Thu, 02-02-2006 - 8:00am
you know,,,,in my experience with people who have undergone ECT...& recently during my hospitalization ECT was given like cough drops.i was scheduled & my insurance ran out...besides my doc was smart enough to realize my meds had begun to do what the ECT would accomplish
anyway...people were ALWAYS permitted their right to choose.if they were uncomfortable after the 1st treatment they didn't have to to have anymore.
maybe that helps to know that?