ECT

I am not sure if this is the correct place to post/ask this...if it isnt I am sorry and will repost it somewhere else.

Has anyone had Electroconvulsive Therapy here? I talked with my doc today and he say that I should talk to a specialist about ECT because none of the meds seem to work. I have been on so many different cocktails and nothing seems to work or it works for a few months and then my body says "Nope dont like it anymore". I am sooooo scared about ECT because I am terrified of losing my memory. I have only 3 people in this world that are close to me and I am afraid that I wont remember them! If anyone has had it please tell me your experiances. I am trying to find out as much information as I can before I make a decision. I see alot of people posting alot of hearsay and no actual ECT patience, I want to hear from people that have close personal feelings about this. If you have had it or are close to someone (spouse/child) that has had it please share your experiance with me. I am so confused about what to do. I do know I need to do something though.

I firmly believe ECT is back in vogue because ways have been found to limit its harmful effects. Try to keep in mind that your doctor has your best interests at heart. Note that you said he wants you to talk to someone about it. That doesn't mean you're committed to going through with it. Perhaps the specialist can allay your fears and provide you with the information you need to make an informed choice.

Either way though, whatever you decide welcome to the forums. We'll do our best to support you in any event. Take care.

SleepingDog, I do not have anyone close to me who has had ECT, but when I was at the psych ward, my roommate received ECT treatments twice a week. She was a middle-aged woman, and she always remembered every one of us at the ward, patients and staff. The only thing she did NOT remember was some things she had been told, for example, she would flip through her calendar and wonder why she had marked a meeting on a certain day. But eventually she found out by asking. She never told me exactly what was ailing her, but to me it seemed like major depression.

Sorry I couldn't sequence that in a more readable way.

Anyway... This was only one experience among others. If you have any questions you can ask me, I have more information but this was all I felt like telling. I hope you find out what is best for you. I heard ECT is the most effective treatment in major depression and bipolar disorder.

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Rebound said:Note that you said he wants you to talk to someone about it. That doesn't mean you're committed to going through with it. Perhaps the specialist can allay your fears and provide you with the information you need to make an informed choice.

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Ditto. By the way Rebound, I had to say I love the quote in your signature!

I have had two courses of ECT. After the last initial sequence, 3 times a week for 8 to 10 sessions, I had ECT once a week for 3 months. My memory loss was minimal, forgetting things like the town now had a Panera restaurant -- but I regained that memory when I saw it again. You aren't going to forget people, just some events that are minor. Most memory losses are minor and return in time.

If I was severely depressed again, I would take ECT without hesitating.

One of a friend of mine had severe depression that was unremitting and had ECT. She later went for more sessions. She sees it as a good option for severe depression.

My ex-boyfriends mother had ECT and I don't recommend it. She suffers from Major Depressive Disorder and 3 years ago she received her "treatments" and has not been the same since she is not quick witted any more and is almost a zombie now and to top it all off she still has severe depression and has been hospitalized ALOT. I think she was better on meds alone and did not need or benefit from the ECT at all. I think you should look into all other options before deciding to have this done.

a friend of mine had treatments...and has regreated doing them...she has now had VNS device implanted for treatment of her suicidal depression. This has been a very long and hard year for her...nothing seems to help her. and her memory is shot.
bizi

I have never had ECT but I intern at a psych. hospital and a lot of my patients on the mood disorders unit were receiving it. A lot of them reported that it was the only thing that had ever helped their depression (most of them reported that relief would come after about 6 treatments). My patients reported minor short term memory loss, headache, and just feeling "out of it" after the treatment.

I have also observed ECT treatments. The patients are put out for a little while with anesthesia. It is very quick-- they sleep for a bit afterwards and then go home. When I was observing, by the time I was watching the 2nd patient get his treatment, the 1st patient had already gotten up to leave.

I have never heard of any long-term effects that are directly related to ECT treatments. I think it is a very effective and safe solution to treatment-resistant depression.

In 2005 I under went 5 months of ECT treatments. At first 3 times a week and then down to twice a week. Treatment would probably have extended longer but a family situation required my to leave the area for awhile.

Like you I had tried every medication know to man .... nothing was working. I would end up in the local psychward every couple of months. Down to ECT as last resort.

I've had a lot of memory loss but I can't exactly attribute it to the ECT treatments. I think it probably was a combination of ECT, the meds I was taking and the depression.

I lost approx 25 years of my life. I don't remember the birth or life of my second son or the wedding of my oldest son. But with that said, It seems to be more related to events not people that I can't remember.

The choice to have the treatments shouldn't be taken lightly. If your dr. has suggested the treatment he feels it is best for you under the current circumstances.

The treatments were not difficult. IMO the worse part was the IV they stuck in your arm. I'm not much of a one for needles.

If I can be of any help just pm me.......good luck

Great post, Kebs. I was going to say that in my post, but I just didn't feel like going into it, lol-- That people attribute certain symptoms to the long-term effects of ECT.... but you are exactly right when you say that such symtpoms are most likely a combination of a lot of factors. That is not to say that ECT can't be responsible at all, but I don't think it is a sole contributor. ECT is also very beneficial when suicide is an imminent danger because ECT works quicker than antidepressants.