[rjd2]

Has anyone else experienced memory impairment *POST* ECT? I know it's expected to have memory loss of events prior to and during ECT but after 6 months things are supposed to normalize. I had 20 courses of bilateral ending in Feb and I am still experiencing cognitive impairment. I am unable to hold on to new memories. like my daughter and I made an instagram account for her two days ago and I have no memory of it. And if I try to read a book I have to re-read the first chapter 3 or 4 times until I just give up. I forget Dr appointments. Where the supermarket is. I have to write everything down. I am going for an MRI (or CT scan? I cant remember) and neurocognitive testing at Stanford but this doesnt seem normal. My vision is also really messed up too.
Has this happened to anyone else?

[Skeezyks]

Hello rjd2: I don't know the answer to your question. I've never had ECT. It was suggested to me at one point years ago. But I declined. That was during my first post-suicide attempt hospitalization. During my second I recall some of the other patients, who had had multiple ECT treatments, talking about how they felt it had permanently impaired their memories. That's as much as I can offer. Good luck with your testing.

[still_crazy]

I had ECT about 9 years ago. It took me a couple years to get up to baseline.

[mom2trips+1]

I had ECT in January of 2015. I am overall improved but I still have memory problems. of course I have very little memory of the time before, during, and right after ECT but I too have problems with current memories. I saw a neuropsychologist and had testing that showed mild cognitive impairment and am on disability for BPD and Mild Cognitive Impairment. It does improve, so be encouraged, but for me it is still there. Hang in there.

[rjd2]

Originally Posted by mom2trips+1

I had ECT in January of 2015. I am overall improved but I still have memory problems. of course I have very little memory of the time before, during, and right after ECT but I too have problems with current memories. I saw a neuropsychologist and had testing that showed mild cognitive impairment and am on disability for BPD and Mild Cognitive Impairment. It does improve, so be encouraged, but for me it is still there. Hang in there.

Ok, so you had it basically a year before I did, and youre dealing with a milder version of what I am. I'm glad to hear it's better. I hope the connections will grow back.

Best to you!

[Wander]

over the course of 8 months in 2014 I had a total of 18 ECT treatments, 6 bi-lateral and 12 uni-lateral. They never helped me, hence only having 6 at a time BUT i did notice a massive decline in my cognitive abilities: forgot the whole period around the time of ECT, could no longer read lengthy material, felt dumb and my mind was so slow. Keeping up with conversations was tough too.

However, two years later my mind is back to usual, when of course not in an episode. There is great hope your brain will heal and return to normal. Did the ECT work for you?