So how long ago was his treatment? Is he on antidepressants now? Sackett (Dr. ECT) says that without subsequent antidepressants, relapse rate is 90+% -- requiring "Maintenance ECT." There is some suggestion that ECT can increase effectiveness of antidepressants.
I do hope that Cortex continues to do well, that he beats the odds.
Hey, Willa. He's just started maintenance ECT, and the prospects are very good for that, a non-relapse rate of 93 percent over 2 years according to one retrospective study. Now that he has his brain booted up, he can also implement all the other things that are good for him: diet, exercise, sleep, support, mindfulness, stress reduction, etc etc. He was in no shape to do any of these things before the ECT. His brain was completely shut down. Now that his brain is back on line, he can use his brain to keep his brain healthy. But like you and me and all the rest of us, we are living with that sword of Damocles suspended over our head. I know I am only one day away from the possibility of my life crashing down on me - a sobering thought. Thanks for your concern.
someone just recently asked me about ECT and had I considered it?
I told them that I was afraid of it. I was afraid because so many folks that I have known to have had it... have to have it again and again with rounds of meds given in between the rounds of ECT. It's not like the ECT just fixes the problem... it just kinda resets the brain until all goes haywire again.
Of those that I personally know that have had it, most have lingering adverse effects and one major one is: loss of memory spanning sometimes a year or more and a few have had short term memory difficulties even some years after their treatments of ECT.
So... I've been afraid of it.
Some do actually have a positive experience with ECT. Some only have to have it once and do well. So, it has it's place.
It would be nice.. really... if there was some way to bona fide diagnose the differing MIs instead of all this "ruling out" of this and that or "we suspect this" or one doc says this whereas another doc says something completely different given the same symptomatology. To just have a bona fide diagnostic test or scan that says "this is Bipolar" or "this is Schizophrenia" or "this is ADHD" and then yes... to have the specific treatments for the specific illnesses rather than a blanket bucket of drugs to spread out and see what happens.
It would be nice... really. To not have a doc, or nurse practioner, or primary care doc, or therapist... all fumbling around in the proverbial darkness and slinging this and that at us to see what might work to relieve our symptoms rather than treat our illnesses.
It would be nice... really.
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Even though approx 1 out of 100 people have sz, the research funding is pitifully small. Even though sz is probably costing our system more than any other disease in terms of lost wages, disability payments, and medical claims, still the funding for research is comparatively nonexistent. Even though a disporportionate number of hospital beds are taken by those with sz, the funding lags behind that of cancer and heart disease. Even though these precious minds are ravaged and many with sz resort to suicide or die 25 yrs earlier than the average due to many factors, funding goes to make the world "greener" rather than "saner." I don't understand.
Can you tell me a way to work toward changing this sad state of events? Anyone in particular to write to? Anyone I should be voting into office?
Hey, Donna. Here's something disturbing. Last time I checked - about 5 years ago - schizophrenia was receiving 7 times more funding than bipolar and both were receiving way more then depression. Now the big money is flowing into autism research. And, as you noted, schizophrenia receives only a mere fractionth compared to cancer and heart disease and all the rest.
I don't begrudge schizophrenia getting way more research dollars than bipolar, as this research vastly increases our understanding of the brain, which spills over into our understanding of bipolar. Likewise, research into schizophrenia treatments and therapies offers insight into bipolar treatments and therapies. The catch is - as Carol Taminga pointed out at a conference - is the schizophrenia researchers don't talk to the bipolar researchers. Often, the SZ and BP people are on different floors or different buildings.
Yes, we need lots more money. I'm involved with my local NAMI, and I play a small role there in drawing attention to research. Two weeks ago, at our annual dinner, we presented our research award (which I initiated) to Fred Gage of the Salk Institute, who discovered that the brain can grow new neurons.
NARSAD, which was founded by NAMI, supports mental illness research. I urge you to begin by looking into NAMI or NARSAD, and then report back to us.
Young researchers enter fields where the money is. These are highly dedicated people, but no money means no job, no job security. Mental illness is way underfunded. We need to make a lot more noise.
Now that this site has changed, I find myself alternately at bipolar, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety sites because I have commented there before. I am often not aware when I look at "My Home" and there are new posts or comments, that I am "crossing over" into a different forum. Sometimes I comment thinking I am on a schizophrenia site or depression site when I am really in bipolar. I know I could look up at the top where it says "Bipolar Home" and see exactly where I am. But sometimes I get caught up in the topic and forget...I may not be where I think I am. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well as major depression and schiozphrenia and schizoaffective disorder. I didn't mean to single out sz for funding -- all MI's definitely need more funding for research. ALL of them.