Need answers to some questions about ECT

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...

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

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.

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

hi Somebody,

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

Mary Alice

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

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

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...

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 </font color=blue>

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.

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

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 ?

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.