[Jqi3721]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone has had or has considered ECT and what are your thoughts?

I have had Bipolar II for most of my life - although I was only diagnosed 7 years ago and in the last 7 years i've been on 14 different meds and combinations thereof but none of them work for anymore than a couple of months to a year or so - apparently my system starts to break them down after a while, or the side effects are extreme.

I was admitted to the local Psych Unit in February for depression for just over a month, and it was then when my CPN mentioned ECT briefly.
About 3months after that my mood shot the other way to mania and I almost got arrested again.
My CPN has mentioned it again, but I didn't press her and she didn't elaborate.

I've done a bit of research around it but has anyone had or considered ECT?

[nicoleb2]

I had ect probably 3 years ago and had permanent memory issues.

Some people have amazingly wonderful results too

I've had it twice with good results. You might search for past threads about ECT. Lots of varied experiences with it on PC.

[emgreen]

Here's a great article about ECT. It claims that only 2% of patients suffer significant memory loss:

Electro-shock therapy sees a resurgence | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

[Jqi3721]

thanks guys, and thanks for the article link too

[Evil_Karot]

I've been thinking about ECT for awhile now! I mentioned it to my pdoc since it doesn't seem that meds are really working for me. The pdoc wants to try Clozepine first before trying ECT! I hope it works, as ECT scares the crap out of me! But, to be honest, I'm not feeling much relief from Clozepine!

[Nobodyandnothing]

I am part of the "lucky" 2%. My long term memory loss is extremely significant. I cannot remember college, grad school, the birth, childhood, high school and college graduations of my children, and to top it off, my short term memory is extremely impaired. Why? ECT? Consider all the ramifications before you take this step. I went from a highly paid professional career to...nothing.

[d00mbunneh]

It really works for some people but you can add me to the 2%. I have horrible short term memory now and years and chunks of my memory missing. (It's been months and it hasn't come back.) I ended up having to quit my job because of all the time I was out and the one time I did try to go back I couldn't remember anything. Also the treatments made my mood/mental state worse.

[ThisWayOut]

I was almost forced into it, but it scared the crap out of me... Meds generally have the opposite of any helpful effect for me, but I don't think I will ever be desperate enough to try ECT. I'm glad it has been really helpful for a lot of people, but I doubt it would help me. Most of my issues come from trauma though, and there's little documentation on the benefits of ECT with trauma patients....

[tohelpafriend]

Originally Posted by d00mbunneh

It really works for some people but you can add me to the 2%. I have horrible short term memory now and years and chunks of my memory missing. (It's been months and it hasn't come back.) I ended up having to quit my job because of all the time I was out and the one time I did try to go back I couldn't remember anything. Also the treatments made my mood/mental state worse.

Electroshock Therapy Depression Treatment Information | eHow

(accessedct0082813)

[robindesvilles]

I had 18 ECTs and stopped because it did not helped me. I recovered my memory pretty fast.

I also have BPII and the pdocs have suggested ETC a number of times since my diagnosis. Luckily I kept trying with meds (I tried many more than you have over 8 years) and I found some that work, now the rest is up to me with therapy, but I feel that the right medication has made therapy a million times more helpful.

When I was seriously considering it years back I did ALOT of research and decided that it was not the way for me to go. When I was considering it I was in my early 20s, I had discovered that it was not as effective for people of that age group and had more problems than solutions (this research was done years ago so perhaps the stats have changed).

Now having been stable on medications I am so thankful I didnt go down the ECT route. I have many friends who have had it with varying results but all have had unpleasant side effects. If I was to get that badly depressed that it was suggested again, I doubt very much that I would do it having known that the right meds do work for me - eventually!

[Patagonia]

I had 11 treatments & can't say it did much of anything. I did have some memory loss but not a huge amount.
I was also told by my nurse practitioner that ECT could cause early sign of dimentia. I do NOT know this is true, but I'm going to be researching it. My mom has early signs of it & had 5 treatments of ECT.
I'd say do as much research as possible before agreeing.

[beth0226]

I have had ECT over 20 times. It really helped for a while, but I've been having maintenance treatments once a month for the last 5 months and the last 2 times haven't really done anything for me. Can it just stop working?

[coleychi]

I'm seriously considering ECT for my depression. Does anyone know if you can do it on an outpatient basis or do you have to be hospitalized to undergo the treatment voluntarily?

It may vary by pdoc's preference. My pdoc like you in the hospital for the first two treatments just for monitoring. After that it is all outpatient.

[Bird Feeder]

I am having all my treatments out patient.

That's great. I didn't mind the inpatient aspect, but I was already inpatient at the time anyway because I was in such horrid shape. But it was remarkable that I was in such bad shape and after two treatments I was doing much better and able to at least go home and be with my husband and sons again. Without the ECT, I was facing a MUCH longer hospital stay.

[TiredOfBPD]

I had my 24th session today. I am on maintenance therapy and at this point am having one session every two weeks. I have only received treatment as an outpatient although I have been hospitalized many times.

I had some memory loss and confusion early on but it was it got better after the 5th session. In hind sight, I realize the memory loss was related more to the extreme depression and anxiety I was experiencing.

Since ECT, I have so much energy. I am finally reaping the full benefits of my individual therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and 12 step program. My only regret is that I had to get to this point (multiple medication trials, five hospitalizations, numerous doctor and two suicide attempts) in order to be recommended for ECT. I feel really happy and full of life. I couldn't be happier and my doctor and therapist are amazed and overjoyed.

Good luck to anyone who tries ECT!

[ilive4music]

that is great!! I am happy for you.. I feel the same way !!