[rcjcoach]

Does anyone know if ECT Therapy can have any effect on psychotropic medications? Could it amplify the effects of the medications? Any information would be gretaly appreciated.

[Suzieq1625]

Please be aware. Lithium and ECT make a dangerous combination. I found out the hard way when my doctor took a chance and I ended up with permanent short and long term memory loss, seizures, as well as brain lesions. It was only afterwards they stopped combining the two treatments and admitted there had been several cases similar to mine.

They will obviously have you stop any anti-seizure meds such as Neurontin the night before a treatment. Other than that, you should find that after a few treatments your drug regimen may be reduced because your brain chemistry is improving and you'll be more stable.

Best wishes and have faith. I'm one of the success stories. After suffering with the highs and lows of Bipolar Disease for almost 30 years it reached a critical point where I lost the ability to sleep. I was on 20 pills a day and nonfunctional. I went through 20 treatments. I now take a few pills a day and am in complete remission. ECT was a life saver.