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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by juanantoniod on April 10, 2003, at 19:07:53
Hello all,
I have this daily depression of not even wanting to live. I read that ECT is better than meds in treating depression. However, I've read varying accounts here of the effectiveness of it. Will it at least take away this underlying feeling of wanting to die?
Thanks for your input.
Antonio
Posted by utopizen on April 10, 2003, at 19:17:18
In reply to Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by juanantoniod on April 10, 2003, at 19:07:53
> Hello all,
>
> I have this daily depression of not even wanting to live. I read that ECT is better than meds in treating depression. However, I've read varying accounts here of the effectiveness of it. Will it at least take away this underlying feeling of wanting to die?
>
> Thanks for your input.
>
> AntonioSorry to hear that. I always tend to rationalize into a blissful state of happiness, no matter what bad things happen to me. I've always laughed at myself, actions and things that happen to me. I find the bad things make my life more interesting.
Have you tried Dexedrine? Desoxyn? I took an "experiment dose" of Desoxyn once to know what meth users feel, and let me tell you, I was goofy smirking into my sofa for like 4 hours. I imagine that's less extreme now and then than ECT.
How about Nardil? Parnate? Obviously Paxil and others have been tried, I assume. Couple anything, including ECT, with CBT, of course you know that.
Let me see... Xyrem, anyone? Interesting for off-label psychopharmacology indications, I'm predicting a surge in such use very, very soon...
Posted by mags on April 10, 2003, at 19:26:01
In reply to Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by juanantoniod on April 10, 2003, at 19:07:53
> Hello all,
>
> I have this daily depression of not even wanting to live. I read that ECT is better than meds in treating depression. However, I've read varying accounts here of the effectiveness of it. Will it at least take away this underlying feeling of wanting to die?
>
> Thanks for your input.
>
> AntonioAntonio, YOu need to talk to someone about these feelings RIGHT AWAY...yes ECT can help some people very quickly, especially when they feel so depressed as you.
I would seriously talk to your doc about ECT or better meds...NOWGood Luck
Marg
Posted by juanantoniod on April 10, 2003, at 19:41:13
In reply to Re: Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by utopizen on April 10, 2003, at 19:17:18
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I'm at the end of the line as far as meds go. The amphetamine stimulants tend to make me more depressed. I take Concerta to get me going a little. Because of my co-existing heart condition, I cannot risk taking the MAOIs. I've considered Xyrem, at least to get a little relief from life, but it has so many prescribing restrictions that I won't even try to get it from my doctor. I have CBT weekly and it's going well, but I just cannot shake this feeling of not wanting to be on this planet.
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I have this daily depression of not even wanting to live. I read that ECT is better than meds in treating depression. However, I've read varying accounts here of the effectiveness of it. Will it at least take away this underlying feeling of wanting to die?
> >
> > Thanks for your input.
> >
> > Antonio
>
> Sorry to hear that. I always tend to rationalize into a blissful state of happiness, no matter what bad things happen to me. I've always laughed at myself, actions and things that happen to me. I find the bad things make my life more interesting.
>
> Have you tried Dexedrine? Desoxyn? I took an "experiment dose" of Desoxyn once to know what meth users feel, and let me tell you, I was goofy smirking into my sofa for like 4 hours. I imagine that's less extreme now and then than ECT.
>
> How about Nardil? Parnate? Obviously Paxil and others have been tried, I assume. Couple anything, including ECT, with CBT, of course you know that.
>
> Let me see... Xyrem, anyone? Interesting for off-label psychopharmacology indications, I'm predicting a surge in such use very, very soon...
>
Posted by juanantoniod on April 10, 2003, at 19:46:22
In reply to Re: Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by mags on April 10, 2003, at 19:26:01
Hi, Marg,
I appreciate your reply. I'm on 3 ADs + Strattera + Concerta and in therapy. I just can't seem to get over this feeling of not wanting to live. I had an appointment with the ECT doc on Monday but she had to cancel, so now I have to wait until the 23rd to see her.
I just wanted to know from others here if I could have some hope that ECT would help, if even for a little while.
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I have this daily depression of not even wanting to live. I read that ECT is better than meds in treating depression. However, I've read varying accounts here of the effectiveness of it. Will it at least take away this underlying feeling of wanting to die?
> >
> > Thanks for your input.
> >
> > Antonio
>
> Antonio, YOu need to talk to someone about these feelings RIGHT AWAY...yes ECT can help some people very quickly, especially when they feel so depressed as you.
> I would seriously talk to your doc about ECT or better meds...NOW
>
> Good Luck
> Marg
>
>
Posted by linkadge on April 11, 2003, at 7:46:45
In reply to Re: Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by juanantoniod on April 10, 2003, at 19:46:22
It won't make you feel euphoric, but it can
definately take away that sick feeling of
'just wanting out' - that feeling that god has
wronged you in an unforgivable way and that you're going to show him.For me it was a exreme sadness linked with anger
and its a problem with ones serotonin system.Lithium hit the spot.
Good luck
Linkadge
Posted by denise528 on April 11, 2003, at 12:09:51
In reply to Re: Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by juanantoniod on April 10, 2003, at 19:46:22
Hi,
Has the feeling got a desperate quality to it like "I can't go on another minute feeling like this" or is it more of a feeling of I can go on there just doestn't seem to be much point.
Do you have suicidal ideations, if so have you tried Zyprexa?
If you do have ECT I really hope it works for you.
Denise
Posted by juanantoniod on April 11, 2003, at 13:44:55
In reply to Re: Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by denise528 on April 11, 2003, at 12:09:51
> Hi,
>
> Has the feeling got a desperate quality to it like "I can't go on another minute feeling like this" or is it more of a feeling of I can go on there just doestn't seem to be much point.
>
> Do you have suicidal ideations, if so have you tried Zyprexa?
>It's more like I can't go the rest of my life wanting to die. As for the suicidal ideations, they have almost stopped, but trying the Zyprexa is a good idea. How does it work on those?
> If you do have ECT I really hope it works for you.
>
> Denise
Posted by denise528 on April 14, 2003, at 8:31:29
In reply to Re: Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by juanantoniod on April 11, 2003, at 13:44:55
Hi,
The Zyprexa really calms me down and seems to help take away the desperate, agitated feeling but lately it's been making me feel very flat, although that could just be the depression. Before when I took it I had quite a bit of motivation for about 5 days afterwards but not so motivated now. I only take it now and again. I last took one last Thursday and I'm starting to feel down again. I woke up this morning and started imagining a cliff top and myself jumping from it. I'm so sick of this, it's really not normal I never used to have those thoughts and I don't even know why I feel like this. I have a good job, I'm reasonably intelligent, attractive blah de blah and yet it means nothing to me. If you do decide to go ahead and have the ECT let us know how it goes. If you do decide on the other option I might just wanna join you.
Denise
Posted by JoRob7525 on April 15, 2003, at 21:13:12
In reply to Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by juanantoniod on April 10, 2003, at 19:07:53
Hi, I'm new here but wanted to tell you that ect can indeed help with the not wanting to live feeling. I've had three series of ect. I don't like ect. I hate memory problems BUT it has saved my life and I would recommend it to people who have tried meds. Don't give up, see the ect doctor because it helps many, many people. Don't be afraid, it's not that bad.
Posted by juanantoniod on April 15, 2003, at 22:08:38
In reply to Re: Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by JoRob7525 on April 15, 2003, at 21:13:12
Hi Jorob,
Thanks for the supportive post. It's so hopeful to hear from someone in the same boat as me that something works. I'll give ECT a try if the doc recommends it.
Antonio
> Hi, I'm new here but wanted to tell you that ect can indeed help with the not wanting to live feeling. I've had three series of ect. I don't like ect. I hate memory problems BUT it has saved my life and I would recommend it to people who have tried meds. Don't give up, see the ect doctor because it helps many, many people. Don't be afraid, it's not that bad.
Posted by juanantoniod on April 16, 2003, at 13:14:57
In reply to Re: Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by juanantoniod on April 15, 2003, at 22:08:38
Hi, All!
Having read from a previous poster here that ECT resets all the brain chemicals, making the brain more likely to respond to medications. Do any of you know if that means all medications, or just psych medications.
The reason I ask is that I've developed an extremely high tolerance (not addiction or abuse) to pain medication and benzodiazepines. I'm wondering if the ECT would reset those as well.
Your comments appreciated, as always.
Antoni
Posted by denise528 on April 16, 2003, at 13:18:17
In reply to Re: Will ECT take away not wanting to live?, posted by JoRob7525 on April 15, 2003, at 21:13:12
Hello,
Can you tell me when you had your on your last ECT treatments and what medication your on now.
The only drug that seems to help me is Zyprexa but I don't want to keep having to take it, I was wondering if ECT can help antidepressants to work again on their own?
Denise
Posted by JoRob7525 on April 19, 2003, at 17:28:40
In reply to Re: To JoRob7525, posted by denise528 on April 16, 2003, at 13:18:17
Denise,
My last ect was two years ago. For me ect only works temporarily and I have refused to do a monthly 'maintenance' ect. It's not something I'm comfortable enough with to do if not absolutely necessary. My doctor (who I trust totally) says memory loss can be caused by medication and depression itself. But I still think ect is drastic enough to reserve for only if absolutely necessary.
I am currently taking Effexor, Pamelor, depakote and trazedone and doing pretty well. I had taken pamelor and depakote in the past so I guess the answer is yes. I know the real trick in ect is maintaining the improvement with medication and that is often very successful.
But, to anyone contemplating ect, go to an expert in this, not some 'shock doc' who just does ect on anyone who walks in the door.
Jorob7525
> Hello,
>
> Can you tell me when you had your on your last ECT treatments and what medication your on now.
>
> The only drug that seems to help me is Zyprexa but I don't want to keep having to take it, I was wondering if ECT can help antidepressants to work again on their own?
>
> Denise
This is the end of the thread.
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