Depression Forums

Depression Related Forums => Depression Central => Topic started by: mrmoody on April 27, 2012, 06:19:05 PM

Title: ECT?
Post by: mrmoody on April 27, 2012, 06:19:05 PM
Am going to ask my doctor on Monday for ECT.I wondered if anyone else has had this treatment and what they think of it. I am a willing volunteer if its going to help. Counselling could take months before I even get a place
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: Beetzart on April 27, 2012, 06:38:50 PM
Please don't take this the wrong way but I'm pretty sure ECT is an absolute last resort.  Have you tried all variaties of meds?  Stuff like lithium, MAOIs, TCAs, or combos like Venlafaxine/Mirtazapine.  Have you been hospitalised in the past for depression?  I was in a bad way yesterday when I saw my pdoc and was cutting my arms over the last couple of days, I told him I was worried about my safety, self harm etc...he didn't even consider hospital and just got me some talking therapy and an increase in meds. 

I'm not saying your doctor won't consider it, but there are many avenues to explore before that.  Saying that because you are in such a bad place right now could you not consider going to A and E?  Or do you have a Crisis team number you could call?  If you are thinking about ECT I don't think you should hang around till Monday.

I know how bad things can get as years ago I begged my GP for a mood stabliser, even got to the point I ordered some lithium online from India.
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: mrmoody on April 27, 2012, 06:49:21 PM
I dont have a crisis team, only been back in Sheffield a week or so. I dont even know what one is. Was hospitalised once in 1997 very briefly. I dont want to go to A+E, waste of time to be honest. Did that back in Feb. this year while in Birmingham. I was told once by a psychiatrist back in 2006 that he thought ECT was something that worked and he believed gave positive results. I would take valium but doubt doctors would give me that. I just dont want to sit here thinking of suicide. what kind of life is that. If ECT can help then I am all for it
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: CharleysAngel' on April 27, 2012, 06:54:43 PM
I think that if you can hold out until monday and tell your doctor how badly you are feeling they will probably arrange something urgently, whether it be ECT or not.

If you really feel that you can't hold out until then you should phone an out of hours doctor, they have them everywhere, or the NHS Direct line, they will advise you on what you should do.

Take care xx
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: mrmoody on April 27, 2012, 07:04:11 PM
I just think it could help. I know it might sound severe but I read it can help for up to 6 months. I can make it over the weekend but just fed up of feeling like this. I felt worse yesterday and its easing up since then
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: CharleysAngel' on April 27, 2012, 07:09:00 PM
I know its hard, its horrible feeling the way you do and not getting any support from people around you. I really feel for you xx. ECT may help you, but your doctor might decide to try other options first, but then they might not. You will just need to see what they say on Monday. I'm glad your getting an appointment because I think you really do need the help.

Thinking of you xx
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: Sweetpea on April 27, 2012, 07:12:37 PM
How many anti-depressants have you tried?  It took several before I found one that worked for me.  Never known anyone that has tried ECT.

S x x x
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: mrmoody on April 27, 2012, 07:59:58 PM
recently only two. over the course of my depressed life about five different ones including a year on Prozac. I am just one of those people that I dont think anti-depressantss work for.
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: Sweetpea on April 27, 2012, 08:11:35 PM
Have you ever tried Duloxetine?  Thats what I am on, everyone reacts differently to meds and therapy.  I understand wanting to try anything, I remember when the meds I was trying didn't work, I would have tried absolutly anything to have some relief.  I found our Local Mental Health Team great, as they understood exactly how I was feeling, prescribed me Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and told me to just stop the Citalopram and start the new meds, I was prescribed Clonazepam to take for 2 weeks to help with the change over and had to taper them off over a weekly period (the Clonazepam). 

S x x x x
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: mrmoody on April 27, 2012, 08:24:48 PM
ok well its worth a try but I am very wary of most anti-depressants. I will mention Dulexotine(?) to the doc. But I will suggest ECT also. If it made me numb and abit calmer I think that would be great
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: Sweetpea on April 27, 2012, 08:27:45 PM
Well Duloxetine works for my anxiety and depressive symptoms.  But as I said we are all different.  Just hope you ge some joy from the dr you see.  Have you made the appointment or do you have to ring on the day?

S x x x
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: mrmoody on April 27, 2012, 08:32:58 PM
appt. Monday Shaz at 9.10am. it was the earliest one I could get
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: Sweetpea on April 27, 2012, 08:39:39 PM
Thats good then, just got to get through the weekend.  Have you got any plans?  The weather is supposed to be rubbish here all weekend  :(.

I do so hope you get some joy with the dr on Monday.  Let me/us know how it goes.

S x x x
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: mrmoody on April 27, 2012, 08:44:39 PM
we do have a tv and sky here. even though its a dump the landlord put sky in! how bizzare. I dont have a telly in my room yet but I have books and got my digital radio from my mums yesterday. other than got nothing planned. no money to do anything. hate weekends with a passion
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: Sweetpea on April 27, 2012, 09:41:23 PM
Weekends  are always hard when you are on your own.  Just try and get through it and try to think about the help you will hopefully get on Monday.

S x x x
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: Zaf on April 28, 2012, 04:18:55 AM
I hope the doctor can get something sorted for you

Z xxx
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: lost rolex on April 28, 2012, 06:29:08 AM
I hope the weekend goes ok, and your doctors appointment is a good one, meds do work for me so i guess i am lucky in that repect they just need cranking up now and again.


                           GL    LR
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: mrmoody on April 28, 2012, 09:45:34 AM
I will push for new meds or combination of meds but I want to ask about ECT for sure
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: Sweetpea on April 28, 2012, 04:00:17 PM
Hope you get some joy with the dr.  Think they will offer the change of meds first and then maybe refer you to mental health team.

S x x x
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: KateG on April 28, 2012, 06:42:42 PM
Hope your appointment goes ok and you get some help
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: mamalou on April 29, 2012, 01:10:37 AM
My psychiatrist recommended ECT to me on a couple of occasions for my treatment resistant depression.  I decided against it. However, I have been in this severe episode of depression for 2 years and have constant involvement from the community mental health team, my gp and also have had several lots of treatment from the crisis intervention team. I am taking alot of medication too - the strong stuff - Lithium, Venlafaxine, Quetiapine and Mirtazapine.

I am really sorry to hear that things are so hard. But please try to access the right care. It's so important to get the right help and take the right steps in trying to make some sort of recovery.

Very very best wishes.

Mamalou
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: Got on April 29, 2012, 03:44:33 AM
Hmmm...Mr Moody...I think youve been doing some reading. There are many medication options open to you yet.

Steve X
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: mrmoody on April 29, 2012, 08:06:00 AM
a little reading yes but its more that I dont want to feel like killing myself anymore. You know I emailed my mum and told her I was contemplating ECT as I cant cope anymore and you know what she said....NOTHING!! Thats how much she cares about me!!!!
Title: Re: ECT?
Post by: Got on April 30, 2012, 03:49:05 AM
Hey mate

I know where your comming from, you are looking for ways to get better.

You didn't reply..i would guess that itsmore likely that she doesnt know how to deal with this sort of thing. than that she doesnt care. Its amazing how many people think that if they ignore a situation then it will just go away. It shows a lack of emotional intelligence, but not neccesarily a lack of love.