Madonna/Whore Complex (part 7)

[Greeneyedlass]

Hey there lady...how are things going with you guys today?

[Lillieperl]

Hey, a book came out by Kitty Dukakis last year called The Healing Power of Electroconvulsive Therapy that talks about improvements in this procedure.

I suggest you go to the amazon link above and either get the book or at least read the description and the customer reviews. This may give you more information. The process is not as scary as it used to be and it can be very effective.

[Kettricken]

I was once (several years ago) the taxi service for a dear dear friend who was type II bipolar and repeatedly hospitalized for suicidal ideation and attempts, serious cutting, the whole nine yards. More or less as a last resort, they convinced him to try the shock therapy. It was outpatient, he just couldn't drive right after. He didn't feel too hot right afterwards (nausea etc) and I think he had a little short term memory loss .... but there were no serious side effects. It's hard to say what actually sorted him out, as he was also on about a zillion different meds and seeing a very good counselor ... but today he is about as functional as any of us; great job, good friends, learning new things, and about to celebrate his 15th anniversary.

The outcomes can be very good now, although it certainly does sound terrifying.

[Heywyre]

I am just so leary about the EST having had first hand experience with my father. yes, I know it was many years ago but it would take a heck of a lot more than some doctor saying "we have a good success rate" - that's what they told my father too

I am still convinced my brother needs to find a med that deals with the depression and stick with it. He also needs to find a good counsellor to deal with the addiction and depression. Then, and only then will things start to turn around for him

[Lillieperl]

You may be right, Hey, but at least get yourself fully informed, and don't make this decision based on incorrect, incomplete, or outdated information.

You might even talk to one of the docs and tell them about your dad and ask how the treatment is different today and what precautions are taken.

Don't stay in the dark.

[OG_Lou]

the last one didn't work (celexa).
I cheked with BB and she said suicide is a fairly common side effect of some drugs used to treat depression.

It has been suggested that SSRIs may cause depression to worsen and even lead to suicide in a small number of patients. These potential side effects are difficult to evaluate in depressed patients because depression can progress with or without treatment, and suicide is itself a consequence of depression. Moreover, the evidence supporting these potential side effects is weak. Therefore, no conclusions can yet be drawn about the relationship between SSRIs and worsening depression and suicide. Until better information is available, patients receiving SSRIs should be monitored for worsening depression and suicidal tendencies.
from http://www.medicinenet.com/citalopram/article.htm

[OG_Lou]

I am just so leary about the EST having had first hand experience with my father.

BB administered the pre EST drugs, also known as Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and said the old way of doing ECT's is nothing like how it is done now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroconvulsive_therapy

[Heywyre]

Oh I definitely plan on getting as much information as I can, that's for sure. We want to make an informed decision

Has anyone on the board heard of/taken the antidepressant Remeron? It's the drug they have given my brother to try out and I don't know anybody that has heard of it or tried it

[OG_Lou]

BB said Remeron is usually a good drug. She also reinforced the idea, what is good/works for one person might be bad/not work for another person. She saw this happen often at work.

Heywre, I think it is best to let your brother's psychiatrist steer the medication ship. Your brother needs to give the psychiatrist feed back as often as he has a problem. It is usually the client who doesn't say enough to his Dr. when something goes off kilter.

BB won't answer any more of the questions I had about meds because clients/people's reaction is so varied. She firmly believes the Drs seeing him should have the power to determine which med to try. What you can do is encourage your brother to tell the Drs what is going on from your brother's POV.

Like I said, according to BB too many clients tough it out and act better because they want to be better. They are not truthful when the Dr. asks the client questions, then they have problems and often self-limit taking the medication or go off completely. Some meds need to be gradually discontinued over a 2 month period, or there will be troubling symptoms.

I think your brother's psychiatrist has a bit more schooling than the combined forum so go with what he tells you. If your brother doesn’t like the psychiatrist, switch Dr’s.

Lou

[Heywyre]

Well Lou, that is easy to say to some degree but switching doctors is really not an option right now when he's in hospital - he gets who he gets, period!!

The only thing I was basically asking is whether or not people knew anyone that had experience with the drug because I didn't know of anyone that had taken it, it is not the "usual" one that is prescribed

My brother speaking up has always been one of his downfalls - which is another reason I need to be closely involved with his recovery. Not telling his doctor for the past 8 months that the last AD were not working was what led to where he is now. Thus, the reason for him coming to live with us too, right now he needs a little coaxing until he can do it himself (he is so not the kind to ask for help, he just "toughs it out" like you said)

I am not about to sit by and see him destroy himself without at least making an effort to try and help him