[BNLsMOM]

I just spent three weeks at the hospital again for this pesky episode. I am feeling better now and more hopeful, because I am now receiving ECT treatments three days each week. I have had two treatments already and so far I haven't had any negative cognitive side effects I am really hoping this makes a difference. I just don't think I could take another disappointment in my treatment.

Who else has had ECT? Good results?

[Trippin2.0]

Welcome back! I'm really glad to hear your situation has improved

[Miss Laura]

Welcome back BNLsMOM

I've been through ECT on two different occasions. Both times helped immensely. The first round was 9 treatments; the second round was 8. With the first round I had some short memory loss surrounding the time of the treatments themselves. Nothing particularly worrisome, just something I became aware of. Once treatments were done, memory came back quickly. The second round I didn't have any memory issues at all. I had no cognitive issues either time.

My husband had ECT: 15 treatments I think. The started bilaterally with him and he had much more memory loss and disorientation. Once treatments were over though, memory recovered and he was fine.

A friend of mine also went through ECT with about the same results as I did.

[cybermember]

I've never had ECT but am glad you're back, BNLsMom.

[~Christina]

Glad your feeling better

[roads]

No experience with ECT, BNLsMom, but I'm glad you're back & feeling more optimistic & better overall. It's a good feeling, isn't it, to know you're getting closer to the goal?
Roadie

[bowhunt72]

Originally Posted by BNLsMOM

Who else has had ECT? Good results?

I've had several rounds of ECT, plus a whole lot of maintenance treatments in between, probably totaling 40-50 treatments overall. I always have short term memory problems - this last time a week or two ago it took me over an hour to remember where I live. That usually goes away fairly quickly with no serious long term effects. I do have some long term memory problems - I used to consider myself pretty smart, turned down full ride offers to colleges, National Merit Scholar, all that kind of thing - and now I can't remember the names of people I work with. I don't know if that's ECT, just the effects of my BP/PTSD/OCD/GAD, my meds, or just getting older. ECT has done enough to break me out of major depressive episodes that I choose to do it as necessary even with the side effects. I hope yours went as well.

[Beebizzy]

Hi,

I had 11 rounds of ECT about 15 years ago. I don't think it changed anything much at the time. But I would be the exception there I think as others seem to have had good results with it.

My memory isn't great now but, like Bowhunt, I'm not sure if I'd attribute it to ECT or meds, illness, age or alcohol (my self-medication for a long time).

Good luck!

[BNLsMOM]

Thanks everyone, for the encouragement and the welcomes. I am very hopeful about this and my ultimate goal would be to reduce some of my meds as a result of ect.