Home Menu

Menu



advertisement
Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
somebody
Member
 
somebody's Avatar
 
Member Since Aug 2003
Location: Upper Michigan
Posts: 114
21
Default Sep 10, 2003 at 05:10 PM
  #1
Hello... this is my first post and am scared of sounding stupid... sorry if I do... I have a question about Electric Shock Treatment... I already had 6 sessions of it last year. It worked for a while but the memory loss was awful for me. I was wondering if anyone here has gone for a second time and if side effects were worse then... It did work for a while last year and maybe if they did the full 12 last year it would have worked longer then a year but the thinking patterns have returned so this again is an option for me yet one more time.
I also understand if no one wants to talk about this. It is kind of a barbaric type of treatment.
Thank you for any help you can give in this matter...

somebody is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Justhere
New Member
 
Member Since Aug 2003
Posts: 3
21
Default Sep 10, 2003 at 06:42 PM
  #2
I have had it. I was scared too, but when I got to the point where I was that depressed, it saved my life. I have had series of 12 before, gee, that was years ago, but I was always on medication after. The memory loss was disturbing, I used to write things down for a few days beforehand. It was mostly short term memory loss that upset me. Once I knew what to expect it wasn't as bad. I had always journalled a lot so I could refer back to that if I forgot something. I didn't take any visitors while I was having the treatments, it was just easier and I stayed calmer, partly because I didn't have to worry about saying anything I might regret or forget later. It depends what works for you.
You didn't say if you were on medication after the ECT or if it was supposed to do everything for you? As I said, I was on medication and continued counselling for quite a while after that. I hope this is of some help, all I can share is my personal experience.
I am not on medication now, it is years later and I think I do okay! 8o)
Take care,
J

Justhere is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
pooh_ac
Member
 
Member Since Sep 2003
Location: Nowhere nebraska
Posts: 102
21
3 hugs
given
Default Sep 10, 2003 at 07:33 PM
  #3
I am also new here and wondering about the "visitor" status. I wish I had good things to tell you about ECT. I had 18 treatments, no improvment with the depression at all but the doc refused to continue, she will still not even consider re-starting them. As far as the memory loss I have very few memories of that time frame, this has been over 2 years ago so I do not think it will return. At times it is very, very frustating but......
I have also noted that my continued short term memory is not as good as it was before the treatment.......

HOWEVER, I have seen many, many patients who have had wonderful results without the side effects that I had (I am a nurse) and that is why I agreed to the treatments in the first place.


__________________
"Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you."

Carl Gustav Jung
pooh_ac is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
kvinneakt
Member
 
kvinneakt's Avatar
 
Member Since Aug 2003
Location: US Pacific NW
Posts: 448
21
Default Sep 10, 2003 at 07:40 PM
  #4
ECT seems VERY scary to me. Better than suicide, but that would have to be the alternative for me.

Bumper sticker: Wherever you go, there you are

__________________
"...even the truth, when believed, is a lie. You must experience the truth, not believe it." Werner Erhard
kvinneakt is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sep 10, 2003 at 09:31 PM
  #5
hi Somebody,

I agree with Vett, ummmm no electric shocks for me either.

Mary Alice

  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
somebody
Member
 
somebody's Avatar
 
Member Since Aug 2003
Location: Upper Michigan
Posts: 114
21
Default Sep 10, 2003 at 10:44 PM
  #6
Thank you for you input... I had the ECT last july... it seemed to help for a while but I wonder if only 6 treatement was enough. The opposite of this is suicide for me... I took an over dose last month for a matter of fact... used sleeping pills and that only got me taken off the pills and can't sleep anymore.
Makes for very long days...
I take two kind of antidepressants... and anti halousigen... and I am also in therapy... I have been on the anti depressants for over 8 years now... both are maxed out and going to therapy for 5 years now... the meds tend to stop working and I think I have been on everything there is out there... The last one was lexapro...cousin to celexa... but it too don't seem to be working...that gets changed again on tuesday. I have tried it all... and it don't seem to help...that is why I wonder if the other choice wouldn't be the better of the two.

I feel like a misfit to society
somebody is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sep 10, 2003 at 11:27 PM
  #7
You are not a "misfit"......you are "somebody" and that is important. You're just stressed, confused and hurting - like everyone else here. I took an overdose this past Sunday, so I can relate, believe me.

I've tried all kinds of meds too: from Buspar, Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, and a few more I think.......lol. They just changed mine because my depression is getting worse.

Just remember, you are NOT alone. I've been in therapy for over 2 years and because of meds, lost the memory of a year of therapy.......that was scary.

Take care, and keep talking here.

Mary Alice

  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
somebody
Member
 
somebody's Avatar
 
Member Since Aug 2003
Location: Upper Michigan
Posts: 114
21
Default Sep 11, 2003 at 06:43 AM
  #8
Thank you Mary Alice... I really appreciate what you have to say... I still feel like a misfit to society though... I can't even walk out my front door and walk around my yard... To much anxiety to it...Again...thanks (((( Mary Alice)))
I would like to thank everyone that replied to my message...(((((EVERYONE)))) Thanks again...

somebody is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Peanut61
Poohbah
 
Peanut61's Avatar
 
Member Since Jul 2003
Posts: 1,085
21
Default Sep 11, 2003 at 07:30 AM
  #9
Hi Somebody: I don't leave my house either; well, not until just recently, (after over a year) - maybe you could come to the anxiety section of this forum and talk to us also = believe me, you are NOT alone! Your friend, Peanut

<font color=blue>HI FROM PEANUT Need answers to some questions about ECT</font color=blue>

__________________
Need answers to some questions about ECT
Peanut61 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
seizure
New Member
 
Member Since May 2003
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1
21
Default Sep 11, 2003 at 12:40 PM
  #10
Hi everyone. Even though I have been a member since May, I haven't posted many messages (although I do read most of the posts made here).Several advances have been made in the area of ECT. The notion that the treatment is barbaric is a common one, but it is certainly not supported by the medical community at large. My father has had a few series of shock treatments since the late 70's and would not have been able to live without them, as he, too, was depressed so severely that he rarely got out of bed (before receiving them). The treatments for depression are numerous and depend on the individual's predicament and the medical staff involved. I don't think we should pass judgment on anyone or any type of therapy....perhaps an effort to unconditionally support our peers would have a somewhat more beneficial outcome. The nature of depression does, sometimes, give us tunnel vision, however. My hope is that we may all find our way through life without resorting to self-abuse and/or suicide.The support found here is one of the ways we are able to attempt to accomplish that. I try my best not to interfere too much because the written word is often misunderstood even moreso than a live, face-to-face conversation. As far as my dad's situation goes, I know that the loss of memory issues surrounding ECT scared him, but his memory did return after a few weeks, and the benefits by far outnumbered the negative aspects. I wish all of the members here inner peace and contentment. Take care.

seizure is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
darkeyes
Elder
 
Member Since May 2001
Location: US
Posts: 6,684
23
PC PoohBah!
Default Sep 11, 2003 at 01:01 PM
  #11
My personal belief on the use of ECT, is that it should be the LAST resort. I still believe a good pdoc who knows his psychopharmaceuticals is a much better route to go. Also if a pdoc has only reccomended ECT, I would definately get a 2nd, 3rd, etc. opinion. I have a 2nd cousin who over 35 years has never been right after her treatments and now seems like a borderline fried veggie. Sorry, just my crusty old 2 cents.
Take care,
DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

__________________
Need answers to some questions about ECT
darkeyes is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
brendab76
New Member
 
Member Since Jul 2009
Posts: 2
15
Default Jul 09, 2009 at 11:03 PM
  #12
Hi I AM NEW HERE AND AM VERY DEPRESSED AND CRY ALOT. I CAN'T EVEN CLEAN MY HOUSE. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY PSYCHIATRISTS AND NOW THIS ONE SAYS I AM BI-POLAR. I HAD 4 ECT TREATMENTS AND HE WANTS TO DO MORE. I AM REALLY SCARED AND THE SEROQUEL IS NOT REALLY HELPING. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF ITS BI-POLAR OR CHRONIC DEPRESSION? PLEASE HELP ME ?
brendab76 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
brendab76
New Member
 
Member Since Jul 2009
Posts: 2
15
Default Jul 09, 2009 at 11:09 PM
  #13
Thank you for your input. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY PSCH AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE TO SUGGEST ECT. I WILL TRY TO SEEK ANOTHER OPION , THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!!
brendab76 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
naturalmanic
Junior Member
 
naturalmanic's Avatar
 
Member Since Nov 2011
Location: apartment
Posts: 15
12
Default Dec 01, 2011 at 02:38 AM
  #14
Quote:
Originally Posted by brendab76 View Post
Thank you for your input. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY PSCH AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE TO SUGGEST ECT. I WILL TRY TO SEEK ANOTHER OPION , THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!!
the difference for bipolar is that there is mania involved, not just depression.

ECT can be lifesaver and meds can be rough, I was on seroquel 8 years because nothing else worked until I was beyond the maximum recommended does and now I have diabetes. But I wouldn't go back. Keep trying and find the meds that work for you. There is no magic pill though, it's keeping your doctor involved in your treatment and being involved in it yourself. Good luck and don't feel down that you feel down. . .keeping coming back here, that shows that you are trying to help yourself, and though your house may not be clean at least you are doing something about your condition.
naturalmanic is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply
attentionThis is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bipolar 101 -- Answers to basic questions DocJohn Bipolar 332 Nov 29, 2023 11:36 PM
: trauma recollection, and healing questions need answers please . Lauren Survivors of Abuse 7 Aug 06, 2012 03:55 PM
need some answers prettyjolie Depression 5 May 08, 2007 11:36 AM
Questions need answers Raindrizzle Eating Disorders 7 Apr 16, 2007 12:23 AM
Looking for Answers!!!! Help Please!!!!!! SongBirdandDaisy Dissociative Disorders 14 Mar 09, 2006 04:06 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:05 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.



 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.