I am diagnosed with BPII and have what's considered "treatment-resistant" depression.

In a nutshell, I have been in treatment (both med trials and talk therapy) for the most of the past 30+ years. I either cannot tolerate the meds and/or I cannot get a good response, nor a response that lasts.

I am becoming increasingly sensitive to psych meds and have frequent dystonic reactions, which are very painful and require, at a minimum, an additional med(s) to help to alleviate some of the dystonia. I am having dystonic reactions to more meds than simply the 1st and 2nd generation APs.
For instance, I can no longer tolerate more than 100mg of Wellbutrin (bupropion), which used to be a "go to" med for me, without getting into severe dystonia. There are other examples, as well.

If I have not already, I do not want to develop a tardive dystonia and/or a tardive dyskinesia. (I am having daily dystonia as I write this. I am adjusting meds, hoping it goes away.)

My depression gets very severe. Often deadly.

My pdoc has urged me to consider ECT treatment.

(I'd first had this suggested to me over 30 years ago and I have always declined. However, things are changing now. I have exhausted meds and I am getting into dystonic reactions for meds which sometimes work temporarily.)

I have started to research this.

I thought I'd ask here if anyone has tried ECT and is willing to share their experience with me (either on this thread or privately in a PM)?

Have you tried ECT?
Is/was it helpful?
Did you complete a course of treatments and/or also stay on a maintenance regimen?
Do you regret having done ECT?
Would you recommend ECT to a loved one in need of care?
What else can you tell me about your experience with ECT?

I cannot thank you enough for sharing anything about your experience/concerns with ECT.


WC