[bbearlyhere]

I have trouble with meds and wsnna try ....what say u

[bbearlyhere]

Come on and helo

[pegasus]

Hello bbearlyhere,

I'm not a fan of ECT, old fashioned in my view like a lobotomy! I know people who have had it and they have been left with a great deal of memory loss and are still depressed.

Seriously though, there are plenty medications out there and psychotherapy is very helpful. Have you had any therapy? Please get back to your doctor about your treatment.

How much therapy have you tried? What do you mean by trouble with meds? You haven't provided much information, so we don't have much to go on.

I've been through ECT treatments twice over the years and they've been life saving for me. However, I chose them not because of med problems nor did I consider them a cure when I went into them. I was in extremely dire condition, hospitalized for severe suicidality, facing probable long-term hospitalization, etc. Something had to give.

ECT did work very well for me, lifted my depression, allowed me to get back home to my family in a matter of days rather than weeks or months. I had some short term memory loss the first round for the time during treatments, but nothing beyond that. My memory returned quickly with no lasting problems.

BUT ECT is not a cure, so don't go into it thinking meds will not be necessary, depression will never return, etc. DO go into it understanding memory problems DO happen to varying degrees to most people and in some cases those problems can be permanent. DO go into it understanding that no one can predict how you individually will respond to treatment. Do go into it understanding you will need to continue therapy and meds for long-term treatment.

It was absolutely worthwhile to me, and I would consider it again if, God forbid, I ever find myself in that degree of depression again, BUT I would never do it just because of med issues. ECT is not a replacement for long-term treatment or therapy. It is NOT easy and there are significant risks that have to be considered.

ECT has been suggested for me too. I remain undecided on it. I know meds have not really done squat. So part of me is open to it. But the fact that NOBODY can scientifically tell you if or how it works..... that leaves me pretty numb to the idea.

Sounds similar to how we think of "blood letting" from years ago.

[yumi]

I asked for this years ago as well, but was out right refused I'm not sure how to go about asking your doctor. Are they receptive to your suggestions? If you have not asked yet, I would go ahead and ask and see how they respond to your request.

[TheOriginalMe]

I'm like 1914Sierra, I've had ECT and it worked in lifting my mood from suicidal and unable to get out of bed or care for myself to a more manageable feeling horrible, tired, miserable and not that interested in stuff. It took me 10 years to properly recover from that episode of depression as I had to learn how to live again. So yes ECT works, but it won't cure you, in my experience you have to do that for yourself and meds, therapy, ECT or whatever just help you out a bit while you do that.

[tesslynn84]

i want to try it too, but i tried tens and i was so disoriented. meds all made me worse and talk therapy i've found most counsellors don't help or end up really hurting me really bad at the end

[LegsTX]

Thanks for this thread. I've been wondering about ECT for a while now, wondering if it might be right for me. But at this point, I don't think it is. Thanks for the info

[artemis1978]

I've had 2 very prolonged periods receiving ect. I think it may have saved me at that point because I was seriously suicidal. It definitely had/has severe memory effects in my case, but I'm still glad I did it. Rather be here with a **** memory than not here at all.

[sunnyday]

ECT x 5 treatments made me feel like I was kicked in the head. I felt dumb..... like I lost 40 IQ points. MY depression was full fired back within 30 days! Won't ever do it again!

I have much experience with ECT. My results were good, and side effects minimal. But it is true that it is not a cure. I still take meds and attend therapy. But I feel better than before the ECT.