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Thursday, November 20, 2008 Wendy asks

Q: MS & Depression treatment

I have MS and depression, my neuro is thinking ECT--has anyone experienced this

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11/20/08 10:07pm

Hi Wendy:

 

Since you didn't list any details, I would want to ask, what antidepressants have you tried over the years, how long have you had MS and how debilitating are your symptoms? ECT is usually a last ditch effort for someone who is in such terrible depression that nothing else has worked, and you are unable to function. Typically, my patients who have had ECT have had several psychiatric hospitalizations during their lifetime.

 

Remember that ECT does work for depression -- by "jump-starting" the brain -- but it also causes memory loss, sometimes permanently.

 

I would suggest a second opinion, preferably from a psychiatrist.

 

Best of luck,

Dr. Diana Walcutt

 

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