What happens if you get a headache after ECT?
The patients experienced changes in the character or location of pain, with a tendency to progress from tension-type to migrainous headache. In all but two cases these developments persisted at least eight months after ECT. We discuss the possible reasons and significance of our findings. Publication types Case Reports
How long does confusion last after ECT treatment?
Headache after administration of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is common, affecting approximately half of patients treated. Post-ECT headache is typically treated with acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but occasionally requires agents such as sumatriptan, opioids, or β-blockers …
How long does ECT treatment take?
At 4 hours, none of the patients in the eletriptan group had any headaches, whereas in the paracetamol group, the VAS was 4.8 (5.1) (P = 0.120). The mean (SD) headache duration was 1.61 (1.09) hours in the eletriptan versus 3.55 (1.19) …
What are the treatment options for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) headache?
· Results: 6 hours after ECT, 126 patients (21.9%) reported headaches, and 56 patients (9%) reported myalgia. The presence of headache or myalgia 6 hours after ECT was not correlated to the duration of convulsion, treatment sessions, sex, or age. But myalgia at 2 hours after treatment was correlated with sex (0.04).
How long do headaches last after ECT?
One of the common adverse effects of ECT is posttreatment headaches, with discomfort peaking at 2 hours after treatment and lasting approximately 24 hours. Patients who experience post-ECT headaches may prematurely stop sessions, and face the risk of for relapse.
Can ECT cause long term headaches?
Although these headaches usually respond to routine analgesic medication, some patients continue to experience severe headache despite treatment. This very unpleasant sensation, repeated with each ECT, may cause patients to prematurely stop ECT and experience a relapse in their psychiatric symptoms.
How do you get rid of an ECT headache?
Headache after administration of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is common, affecting approximately half of patients treated. Post-ECT headache is typically treated with acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but occasionally requires agents such as sumatriptan, opioids, or β-blockers.
How long does it take to recover from ECT treatments?
You can generally return to normal activities a few hours after the procedure. However, some people may be advised not to return to work, make important decisions, or drive until one to two weeks after the last ECT in a series, or for at least 24 hours after a single treatment during maintenance therapy.
What are the long term side effects of electric shock therapy?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been controversially associated with long-lasting memory problems. Verbal learning and memory deficits are commonly reported in studies of people with bipolar disorder (BD).
What is the most serious side effect of ECT?
Risks and Side Effects of ECT. The most common side effect of ECT is short-term memory loss. However, some people report that they have long-term memory loss, as well. ECT also causes a brief rise in heart rate and blood pressure during the procedure, so it may not be recommended in people with unstable heart problems.
Can ECT help migraines?
We conclude that besides the reported treatments for acute migraine attacks induced by ECT, such as propofol,3 sumatriptan,2,4 dihydroergotamine,5 and propranolol,1 valproic acid can be a useful prophylactic treatment of recurrent migraine induced by ECT.
Can ECT cause body aches?
Post-procedure myalgia (muscle ache) is a well-known and common complication of Electro-convulsive Treatment (ECT). Myalgias are a serious concern of patients and occur in approximately 50% of these cases. The pain is usually described as muscle soreness, similar to that resulting from strenuous exercise.
Why is glycopyrrolate given before ECT?
Why is an anticholinergic medication, such as glycopyrrolate or atropine, administered before anesthesia during ECT treatment? To prevent seizure-related tachycardia and hypertension. To counteract the increased sympathetic effects of agents such as dexmedetomidine.
Can you feel worse after ECT?
ECT can't prevent future depression, or fix any ongoing stresses or problems that are contributing to how you're feeling. Some people have very bad experiences of ECT, for example because they feel worse after treatment or are given it without consent. You might not want to risk the possibility of getting side effects.
Does ECT damage the brain?
The review of literature and present evidence suggests that ECT has a demonstrable impact on the structure and function of the brain. However, there is a lack of evidence at present to suggest that ECT causes brain damage.
What percentage of depression patients improve after ECT treatment?
Extensive research has found ECT to be highly effective for the relief of major depression. Clinical evidence indicates that for individuals with uncomplicated, but severe major depression, ECT will produce substantial improvement in approximately 80 percent of patients.