[Moreta]

Yesterday I went to the Pdoc, and it was an interesting meeting. I've been having baaaaad depression and I'm so sick and tired of it. I was on Mirapex, which is supposed to work for bipolar depression, but no such luck and it made me nauseous, so he took me off of it. I'm not allowed anti depressants b/c they make me manic, blah blah blah....if you ask me i could go for some mania right now.... Anyways, he said I'm basically out of options and that I should consider ECT. -.- I almost laughed at him, b/c it made me extremely nervous. He said it's safer than most medications, and can be very helpful. I know there's a risk for memory loss, but I've already lost most of my memory from the lamictal. Which he raised from 100 mg to 400 mg, so I'm expecting some serious cognitive function problems.

Anyways, I read that ECT can induce mania in bipolar patients, so I was wondering if any of you bipolar people have experience with it.

[Moose72]

I don't but I wanted to reply and let you know I read your post. Ect is a hard decision to make I imagine.

[kykid]

I would consider such treatment in a heartbeat if my medications did not work for me. From what I've read about ECT, it works wonders and in some cases, brings full remission of symptoms. As you already mentioned, the one downside is the effect on memory (depending what your memories exist of, this may be in fact an upside).

Thankfully, in my case, Lamictal and Abilify work very well for me.

Hi Moreta! It's good to see you! Been awhile since seeing you here on the BP forum... I have seen you around some other places here on PC and were wondering how you were doing. So sorry to hear that it's crappy.

I've not heard of it inducing mania, but it's not something I know a ton about. There are some folks on here that have had ECT, so first hand experience is likely on its way. I've never had it, so can't help on that front, but couldn't help from popping in to say hi to you!

Having just recently come out of a very bad and long depression, I totally hear you on the being sick of it! (It involved and AD add-on - so far so good - so not useful to the topic, but... hoping something works for you soon too.) Lots of and good wishes, Moreta!

[ohlala]

ECT is a big step IMO but I totally understand how you feel about unrelieved depression. ECT can cause cognitive impairment as well as memory loss, so if cognitive impairment is an issue with the Lamictal I don't think ECT will make it better.

[Anneinside]

ECT doesn't cause mania to come on and is even used as a treatment for mania also. I have ECT about once a month. My memory loss is minimal to none and certainly no cognitive functioning problems. I read a book called Shock about ECT and cognitive functioning was not an issue. You need to talk to your pdoc about this and people who have had ECT. Unfortunately, people with negative experiences are more likely to share than those who have found it useful. I have treatments now and in the past and I will continue to have them. They help immensely.

[roads]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

I have ECT about once a month.
....
They help immensely.

Why do you have them so often? And do you have no memory loss to speak of at all?

[alwaysrejoice]

The memory loss is temporary. I recently had 10 rounds of it. I went monday, wednesday, and friday. This was through October. People will forget some events that happen during the time you are having ECT. Example, I forgot we had a friend over sometime in October. My husband mentioned it today and I had totally forgot about it, but once he mentioned it I remembered parts of it. I had ECT in 2004 and I had less memory problems than I did this time. They did do bilateral treatments on me this time so that is probably why. It is a more aggressive approach. In 2004 i felt as if I found a miracle cure, i was so happy and content with the results. This time I am experiencing a lot of anxiety. Around the 6th treatment or so I started getting like that. I stopped at 10 treatments because I felt to anxious to go and that is a typical amount to get anyway. I don't think the anxiety is from having ECT. I do feel a lot less depressed. It is a big decision to make. I would strongly advise talking to people who have had it, or doing research on your own. You will find people who say really bad things about it but I never knew anyone who had it that said it caused really bad things like they say. The one thing i dont like is its SCARY. I'm just being honest here. I just dont like being put under i guess. Ill shut up and if you want to hear me ramble on more send me a pm.

[alwaysrejoice]

roadrunner- some people get them once a month or so called "maintence" ECT. It helps keep the depression from returning.

[Anneinside]

Originally Posted by roadrunnerbeepbeep

Why do you have them so often? And do you have no memory loss to speak of at all?

When you first have ECT you usually have 3 treatments a week for 6 - 9 treatments. Some people stop there but others have maintenance treatments when the ECT "wears off". Right now I call in if I start to go down hill and get a treatment. The last time it was a month between treatments. The time before it had been three weeks.

As for memory loss, I would say minimal and inconsequential things like forgetting that we have a Panera in town. When reminded of something I have forgotten it all comes back. Usually memory loss covers the time just before and after treatments... minutes, to hours to days. I can remember everything around the treatments. ECT has been a positive thing for me.

There are people who have maintenance ECT for years. The woman who played Princess Leia in Star Wars has ECT monthly and has for years.

[Moreta]

Thanks for the reply's, I really appreciate it. Innerzone, I usually stick to chat, as I have no concentration to read posts. I also have a hard time getting my point across, b/c I can't remember what to say from the lamictal. I would be so nice to get off that med.

If I were to get the ECT, I would have to go in for a consultation, where they would talk about other treatments, but I've been on everything. I'm going to give it a month and see how I feel then. I also can't take anti-depressants because I'm trying to get pregnant. (I know, not the best time to be doing that, but my husband is adamant about it, so i agreed.)

I really want to feel better NOW, so I don't have to consider it, but if I have to do ECT, I guess I could live with it.