ECT?

[mrmoody]

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

[Beetzart]

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.

[mrmoody]

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

[CharleysAngel']

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

[mrmoody]

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

[CharleysAngel']

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

[Sweetpea]

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

[mrmoody]

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.

[Sweetpea]

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

[mrmoody]

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

[Sweetpea]

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

[mrmoody]

appt. Monday Shaz at 9.10am. it was the earliest one I could get

[Sweetpea]

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

[mrmoody]

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

[Sweetpea]

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