[LVRC]

I've been dealing with treatment resistant depression, panic disorder and anxiety since the age of 10, and am now almost 30! I have had a few "happy" periods in my adulthood, but most of the years have been spent feeling destroyed, lonely, unworthy etc. I only get up in the mornings to ensure my wonderful daughter has a normal, loving childhood and mother. If I did not have my daughter, I would not want to exist. I am constantly fatigued, have no ambition to do anything, have secluded myself from friends and am just SO extremely sad I can't/don't/won't do anything! Meds are not effective; I have tried many! Therapy: hasn't been useful so far. I will be starting ECT soon as a "there's nothing else left to try" option.

I am tired of living this way, and desperately want to feel better, live life, love and be loved.....

Wondering if anyone has had any luck with ECT?

Thanks all!

[Bella01]

From what I have observed ECT is a miracle. I've seen people just like you and then after their treatment they are a totally happy person. It's unreal to watch someone go through the process of ECT.

Good luck. Hope it works for you.

[Rohag]

Hello, LVRC!

Originally Posted by LVRC

I have had a few "happy" periods in my adulthood...

I would like to think that, even with treatment-resistant depression, some form of treatment (ECT? TMS? VNS?) would increase those happy times beyond "a few."

All the best to you and yours, LVRC!

[Giabrina]

Hi LVRC, Yes, this will end you just have to be patient and know that there is hope on the horizion. Like you, the only thing that kept me going was my kids and I am so glad I stuck out the bad depressed periods for their sakes. I hope ECT works for you, I did not have much luck with it. What suprisingly worked for me after years on meds and ECT was taking natural supplements. I would recommend it while you wait for your ECT therapy to begin. It gave me energy I never thought I would have --even more so than Adderall which my doctor prescribed since I was so tired/sleeping too much. Keep us updated on how you are doing and let us know how ECT works. Take care.

[LVRC]

Thanks guys! May I ask what supplements you are taking that seem to work for you? I am by trade, a nurse and was always taught that supplementing showed no "statistical" correlation with improving symptoms, but I am more than willing to try anything at this point!

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me, glad to be here with people who have been through this

[Serotonin]

I can relate to what you're going through, as I've suffered form clinical depression in the past myself, and when you're in a very deep, depressive state it feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel, and your thought train is always on negative tracks.

Be patient, and keep searching for what shall work for you. I've never had ECT so I can't comment from personal experience, but my dad also suffered from clinical depression (it can be a hereditary illness) and he underwent ECT treatment and it definitely helped.

ECT is a last resort treatment when all else has failed, so if you feel that anti-depressant medications and psychotherapy have been ineffective, and you are at the end of your tether, then good luck with the ECT if you feel that it is the only thing that may help to alleviate your illness.

But please make sure you have exhausted all other treatment options before resorting to ECT, as there are many potential side effects to this particular treatment, some of them very serious:

http://psychcentral.com/lib/2011/ris...-of-ect/all/1/

[LVRC]

Thank you for the link as well as advice, I truly do appreciate it!

[SSaysRelapse]

May I ask, does anyone know if ECT can, if successful, remove the need for anti-depressants or other related medications?

[LVRC]

According to my MD, medication MAY or MAY NOT be necessary after ECT, although part of ECT is having to have "maintenance" treatments. I suppose it really depends on how well the ECT has worked for a particular patient.

Hope this is of some help

[NYCDoglvr]

I've also heard good things about ECT and would have done that had the medication not worked. Thank God we live in a time when there are things we can do that do work.

[SomSpoks]

I am assured, what is it was already discussed.

[LVRC]

SimSpoks, are you asking what ECT is? Short for electro convulsive therapy for severe med-resistant depression...

[LVRC]

NYCdoglvr, do you mind if I ask what your diagnosis is, and what medications have worked for you? Ive tried so many that haven't worked...