[Sanora]

I have been taking medication for 20+ years now so you can imagine the array of them I have taken. I have been wanting to ween off all my meds and detox my body I guess. I want a fresh start, I've heard your body's metabolism can be come sluggish to the meds after being on them for so long, but I am also feeling like I am at the end of my rope with meds that will work. So I have been reading about ECT and I guess am more or less looking for opinion on it. If it could work and I am able to even get off ONE of my meds and their own book of side affects ECT would be well worth a try. Anyone's opinion and\or experience on ECT would be great..

[Polibeth]

ECT saved my life, literally. However, it takes a commitment. You have to do about 12 treatments in the beginning and then maybe follow-up maintenance ECTs.

I also lost a TON of memories and also lost my sense of direction (I get nervous driving to unfamiliar places now whereas I didn't have a problem before).

[jaynedough]

I know ECT is a life changer for a lot of people; I've seen it happen. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. The first time was almost 25 years ago. I had 16 treatments. They used the bilateral method that time. The 2nd time was about 15 years ago. I think i had 12 treatments that time. They used the unilateral method that time. I had less memory loss with the second round. There have probably been changes since I had it.

About the successes: The one that sticks out in my memory was of a young woman who was pretty much housebound for over a year due to depression and anxiety. The change in her was amazing.

Have you spoken with your pdoc about this?

I've had 8-10 treatments so far, the first ones unilateral and the last few bilateral. Bilateral is generally more effective but also has more memory loss. I have barely any memory loss.

I'd quit eating before the ECT and nowadays I eat again. That's the only thing it's done to me so far.

After 13 bifrontal treatments, ECT improved what was quite severe depression for me considerably. Unfortunately, some short term memory loss has come with it. I was at the end of my rope and it was definitely worth it, memory loss and all.

[vital]

Originally Posted by Sanora

I have been taking medication for 20+ years now so you can imagine the array of them I have taken. I have been wanting to ween off all my meds and detox my body I guess. I want a fresh start, I've heard your body's metabolism can be come sluggish to the meds after being on them for so long, but I am also feeling like I am at the end of my rope with meds that will work. So I have been reading about ECT and I guess am more or less looking for opinion on it. If it could work and I am able to even get off ONE of my meds and their own book of side affects ECT would be well worth a try. Anyone's opinion and\or experience on ECT would be great..

Hi Sanora,

You might want to watch this TED talk about ECT

Sherwin Nuland: How electroshock therapy changed me | Talk Video | TED.com

from someone who had a huge benefit.

Solomon describes a friend of his for who this worked, but only temporarily and he eventually went for a cyngulotomy, which did work.
Andrew Solomon: Depression, the secret we share | Talk Video | TED.com

If you haven't done it, I think it's really worth while to check for underlying medical/nutritional issues that might be causing you problems. It would be a shame to miss something like that and they are surprisingly common. I made a partial list on post #74 of this thread

http://forums.psychcentral.com/depre...escaped-8.html

- vital

[nicoleb2]

I had ect a few years ago and I would never, ever do it again. I have major memory loss. Both short and long term. I cannot remember huge time periods of my life.
Its awful and I wouldn;t wish that on anyone.

[kiwi33]

Sanora, I have no experience of ECT.

However, I spent about 18 months going once a week to a mood disorders therapy group.

A member of the group had treatment-resistant depression and ECT was an option that was discussed with her.

Another option that was suggested to her was Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

It is less invasive than ECT - the member of my group found it very helpful.

There is an evidence-based description of TMS here: Transcranial magnetic stimulation Definition - Tests and Procedures - Mayo Clinic .

It might be worth discussing with your mental health care team.

[Honeebee]

I'm on the waiting list to get in for ECT. I have severe depression, anxiety, ptsd,bi_polar. I had a manic episode last spring. Pdoc add depokote to help but it sent me in a tail spin. I ended up in the hospital for delirium. We have explored every drug combo and have not luck. This is possibly my only at the of becoming more stable. I feel this is last chance.

[Can't Stop Crying]

i just had 3 treatments...i quit the treatments last week...based on what i have read, for some people it is a life saver for others there are pretty intense side effects...message me if you want more info on my personal experience and why i quit the treatments

Having ECT is no guarantee that you will be able to stop your medication. A combination of ECT and the right medication has saved my life.
I tried ECT once before many years ago and it was not successful. I got desperate enough to try it again.

[Lucy Goosey]

Originally Posted by Can't Stop Crying

i just had 3 treatments...i quit the treatments last week...based on what i have read, for some people it is a life saver for others there are pretty intense side effects...message me if you want more info on my personal experience and why i quit the treatments

I've been urged to start ECT. Im terrified of memory loss,cognition problems, and afraid that once they start #X a week, I'll just end up staying in the hospital for endless treatments against my will. PLEASE share your experiences with me.

Actually, they really can't do ECT against your will, not in most places in the United States. And generally, once you have started the treatments, you are able to go home after the first few and do the rest outpatient. Yes, memory loss is a problem, but for most people it is short term and recovers nicely once treatments have stopped. No, there is no guarantee you won't have more problems than that. You have to decide what risks you are willing to accept.

[Lucy Goosey]

I appreciate your perspective. Unfortunately, the facilities available to me do not do etc on an outpatient basis. So am I likely to have at least ect 3X a week for 4-6 weeks (which I'm told is typical)?

If your insurance is anything like mine, it is the insurance that will dictate how many inpatient ECT you get. My Doctor wanted me to have more< but insurance said no> also I would find out why treatments are not available outpatient? Outpatient is always cheaper and that is something I thought insurance companies liked.

Originally Posted by Lucy Goosey

I appreciate your perspective. Unfortunately, the facilities available to me do not do etc on an outpatient basis. So am I likely to have at least ect 3X a week for 4-6 weeks (which I'm told is typical)?

I wonder if you are being given misinformation or you may be misunderstanding what they are telling you. I cannot imagine insurance preferring to pay for 4-6 weeks of inpatient just for ECT when really only the first few need to be done inpatient and the rest can be done outpatient. I honestly have never heard of any facility anymore that would even keep a patient that long unless it was a long-term residential facility (which usually don't do ECT) except perhaps state mental hospitals (which I would never go into). Are you paying completely out of pocket? I just don't know of any insurance company that would agree to that arrangement.

[Fallindown]

ECT for the purpose of getting off medication is interesting. But you'll probably find that the medication is easier to deal with than ECT. I just completed a little over one month in the hospital getting ECT on M,W,F and let me tell you that taking medication is a whole lot less of a burden/commitment than ECT was. And I haven't even begun the weekly treatments.

[Bird Feeder]

I have been having ECT for 2 years, and it has saved my life. I still take medication but lately have been wondering whether I might start reducing some of them. I started out with a course of 12 treatments and have now continued with 1 treatment every 2 weeks. Everything has been done out patient. I have had no memory loss or cognitive problems and I go back to work right after the treatment. (your not supposed to drive but the anesthesia is so mild I have no problems).

I had ECT 40 years ago when I was a teenager and it did nothing for me but leave me with a large gap in my memory. With the advances in the way treatments are given this has been a whole new experience for me. A good experience!

Any questions just ask:-).

Originally Posted by Bird Feeder

I have been having ECT for 2 years, and it has saved my life. I still take medication but lately have been wondering whether I might start reducing some of them. I started out with a course of 12 treatments and have now continued with 1 treatment every 2 weeks. Everything has been done out patient. I have had no memory loss or cognitive problems and I go back to work right after the treatment. (your not supposed to drive but the anesthesia is so mild I have no problems).

I had ECT 40 years ago when I was a teenager and it did nothing for me but leave me with a large gap in my memory. With the advances in the way treatments are given this has been a whole new experience for me. A good experience!

Any questions just ask:-).

Bird Feeder, do you mind if I ask what type location-wise your treatments are? I'm getting bifrontal treatments and have some memory and cognitive issues.

[Bird Feeder]

I had unilateral in the beginning but after 6 treatments they went to bilateral. I have been bilateral (bifrontal) since then. I have been very lucky to not have any cognitive issues. I believe they use a fairly new machine that gives individually measured, ultra brief electric shocks.

How long have you done weekly? I was thinking of increasing mine just for a a month or so.Take care.

Effexor XR
Welbutrin
Abilify
Seroquel
klonopin
Lunesta
synthroid
ECT every 2 weeks

Originally Posted by Bird Feeder

I had unilateral in the beginning but after 6 treatments they went to bilateral. I have been bilateral (bifrontal) since then. I have been very lucky to not have any cognitive issues. I believe they use a fairly new machine that gives individually measured, ultra brief electric shocks.

How long have you done weekly? I was thinking of increasing mine just for a a month or so.Take care.

Effexor XR
Welbutrin
Abilify
Seroquel
klonopin
Lunesta
synthroid
ECT every 2 weeks

I was doing it about every 3-4 weeks and my depression worsened so I've gone back to weekly for about the past 3 weeks. I think every other week would be good to shoot for. I hate having the treatments. Plus, we have to leave at 5 a.m. to get there on time.

I don't know how old the machine is, but I'm definitely a little spacey for a while after the treatments. Plus, like I said, I know it's affected my memory. You're lucky to have no ill effects.

[Bird Feeder]

I am very lucky to not have side effects. I wish you well and hope the treatments continue to work for you.

[battledepression]

I have been having ECT done for the past 5 or so years. I have it done about every 5 weeks. It has helped me so much in dealing with my depreesion. I have noticed that it isn't lasting as long as it used to. But I still think it is the best thing that has happened for me. I also have had very little memory loss. I recommed it do everyone who is struggling with depression and meds are just not working.

Originally Posted by battledepression

I have been having ECT done for the past 5 or so years. I have it done about every 5 weeks. It has helped me so much in dealing with my depreesion. I have noticed that it isn't lasting as long as it used to. But I still think it is the best thing that has happened for me. I also have had very little memory loss. I recommed it do everyone who is struggling with depression and meds are just not working.

Thank you for your comments battledepression. I rarely discuss my experience with ECT as I have found people have very strong opinions on it. I do not care to involve myself in the battle of whether it is "good or "bad". All I know is it most likely saved my life.

I have been having successful ECT for over 2 years now. It is nice to hear from someone else who has had it more than what I have read to be the recommended amount. My psychiatrist said that there is no real set number of treatments. Everyone is different.

I also had treatments many years ago that were not as successful as they are today, but was willing to try it again when it was recommended. It is not a treatment for everyone, but definitely worth trying in my experience.

Originally Posted by emwell2

Thank you for your comments battledepression. I rarely discuss my experience with ECT as I have found people have very strong opinions on it. I do not care to involve myself in the battle of whether it is "good or "bad". All I know is it most likely saved my life.

I have been having successful ECT for over 2 years now. It is nice to hear from someone else who has had it more than what I have read to be the recommended amount. My psychiatrist said that there is no real set number of treatments. Everyone is different.

I also had treatments many years ago that were not as successful as they are today, but was willing to try it again when it was recommended. It is not a treatment for everyone, but definitely worth trying in my experience.

emwell, I guess I could look it up but what are the maximum number of recommended treatments, according to what you've read? I think I've been having mine since November.