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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Denise1966 on July 2, 2005, at 12:12:11
Hi,
I was just wondering if any meds can affect the efficacy of ECT or affect the seizure itself. I was thinking of drugs like Zyprexa and Nardil.
Can anyone advise please?
Thanks........Denise
Posted by SLS on July 2, 2005, at 13:34:43
In reply to Is there anything you shouldn't take whilst on ECT, posted by Denise1966 on July 2, 2005, at 12:12:11
I can't remember what drugs I was taking at the time of my ECT. Probably nothing.
I don't know for sure the answer to your question. Anything that changes the seizure threshold will affect the outcome of the treatments. For sure, taking AEDs and BZDs will raise the seizure threshold. You don't want that. Many antidepressants lower seizure threshold and produce prolonged seizures during the ECT treatment. However, the technician usually titrates the dosage of ECT to find the seizure threshold, so it might not matter.
- Scott
Posted by Druery on July 2, 2005, at 14:16:10
In reply to Is there anything you shouldn't take whilst on ECT, posted by Denise1966 on July 2, 2005, at 12:12:11
> Hi,
>
> I was just wondering if any meds can affect the efficacy of ECT or affect the seizure itself. I was thinking of drugs like Zyprexa and Nardil.
>
> Can anyone advise please?
>
>
>
> Thanks........DeniseThe docs should go over your meds with you. I had to reduce my dose of Neurontin because it raised the seizure threshold.
I.
Posted by linkadge on July 2, 2005, at 18:02:25
In reply to Re: Is there anything you shouldn't take whilst on ECT » Denise1966, posted by Druery on July 2, 2005, at 14:16:10
One post you're talking about using speed, and then the next you're talking about ECT, are you sure you're not rapid-cylcing ?
Linkadge
Posted by Denise1966 on July 4, 2005, at 10:42:04
In reply to Re: Is there anything you shouldn't take whilst on ECT, posted by linkadge on July 2, 2005, at 18:02:25
Hi Linkadge,
:-) Yes it did occur to me that I might be coming across that way but no really I'm not rapid cycling just starting to feel a bit desperate.
Need to do something, anything.
Denise
Posted by linkadge on July 4, 2005, at 15:37:25
In reply to Re: To Linkadge, posted by Denise1966 on July 4, 2005, at 10:42:04
When I wanted ECT, I didn't really want ECT as much as I wanted to have something under my belt that would tell people to cut me a little slack in life. I felt the world was closing in on me, and If I had ECT, then people might understand the sevarity of what I was feeling.
I was tired of going to people and saying "I have depression", and them telling me "yeah, me too".
I wanted something that I could say, "no, you don't understand, I've had shock treatment"
In hindsight, I would have done it, and (for me at least) it would have been a very dumb move.
What meds are you *currently* taking ?Linkadge
Posted by Denise1966 on July 5, 2005, at 2:40:21
In reply to What meds are you currently on ??, posted by linkadge on July 4, 2005, at 15:37:25
Linkadge,
Yes I understand exactly what you're saying but I want to have ECT because I'm prepared to try just about anything but then I still have reservations about it.
So you're now med free, how are you feeling being med free and why the sudden change of heart about ECT is it because you're now feeling better than you were?
I'm currently taking 60mg of Seroxat and Zyprexa now and again.
Denise
Posted by linkadge on July 5, 2005, at 16:08:47
In reply to Re: What meds are you currently on ??, posted by Denise1966 on July 5, 2005, at 2:40:21
I have never really been PRO-ECT, but the problem was that being off meds has given me SO many different ways of seeing things. I was lied to in so many ways.
I was repeately told that the meds would not cause suicidal thinking.
When I was taking the SSRI high dose, there wasn't 5 minautes that went by that I wouldn't say "I want to kill myself", "I want to kill myself" under my breath.
Maybe it was a tremendous internal akathesia that left me prepetually unsettled, I don't know.
What I do know, is that a week or two after completely stopping the meds (although I felt blue) I was not saying "I want to kill myself"
I would say now that I am mildly depressed, but not suicidal.
I was lied to. I was lied to, in perhaps the most dangerous way possable. I would have killed myself, especially if the medication was increased further. It would have been disastorous if I had been given ECT for this med induced suicidiality.I don't tell this story quite frankly because nobody (not my doctors, and not many people here) will believe me when I say that the antidepressant was making me suicidal.
I have to rethink everything.
I am not anti-psychiatry, because I know that the meds can help at times. But I know that my brain chemistry must have changed, because when I took celexa again after stopping it. It was a entirely different experience. A very, very negative one.
I just think there is another way.
ECT is a treatment unlike any other. It is not a treatment where you say "Oh well, it didn't work, lets try whats next"
It can be life altering (notice I don't say life changing). I just think it could be something that (like many others I know) regret for the rest of their life.
------------------------------------------------
the meds you are on are pro-kindling. I would try this regiment.
Folic Acid 1 mg in AM.
Paxil 10-20mg in AM.Magnesium 200-300 mg in PM
Taurine 1000mg in PM.
NO ZYPREXALinkadge
Posted by 4WD on July 5, 2005, at 22:52:17
In reply to Re: What meds are you currently on ??, posted by Denise1966 on July 5, 2005, at 2:40:21
> Linkadge,
>
> Yes I understand exactly what you're saying but I want to have ECT because I'm prepared to try just about anything but then I still have reservations about it.
>
> So you're now med free, how are you feeling being med free and why the sudden change of heart about ECT is it because you're now feeling better than you were?
>
> I'm currently taking 60mg of Seroxat and Zyprexa now and again.
>
>
> Denise
I thought Seroxat was a combo of Prozac and Zyprexa.Marsha
Posted by linkadge on July 6, 2005, at 15:39:56
In reply to Re: What meds are you currently on ?? » Denise1966, posted by 4WD on July 5, 2005, at 22:52:17
This is the end of the thread.
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