[mafub]

Depression is my lifestyle! Have been on so many drugs; now on an MAOI. Learned CBT, RET, DBT, meditation and other modalities. I know what ECT is; saw people in the hospital undergoing sessions and have read about it.

It has come to the finality that nothing will help, only alleviate symptoms a short period, then life falls into an even lower place. New assaults wreak havoc on what little strength my mind has left. It is in desperation that I ask for input & insights regarding ECT. Tomorrow is my appointment with pdoc.

Has ECT really helped any of you? If memory loss occurs, that would be a good thing, memories keep the depression fresh inside my mind & soul, over & over!

[anjelmarie]

I haven't had it but I have thought of getting it, I don't have insurance though. I have been on all kinds of meds too and have not been helped. I'm sick of it. Depression has ruined my life, I'm a mess. Sorry I have no help to offer but I do understand why you are looking into ECT. I will be interested to hear what others have to say that have had it done also.

[Belle1979]

Hi mafub,
I havent had ECT but I have a little insight into it as my step dad was a psych nurse for 30 years and was incharge of administering it. From what I understand it is like re-booting your brain.
He is a firm believer that it works and had seen many of his chronic patients (who had been in the hospital for many many years) become out paitents and go on to live much better lives. The other bonus is that it doesn't ruin your health like many long term drugs do.
Let us know how you go x

[Sabrina]

ECT did not help me at all. And I lost precious memories as well as had to relearn some basic functions, like how to boil an egg. Unfortunately, I did not have a good experience.

[callingforthesun]

i read recently that what it is, actually, is inducing a seizure....which seems scary. i`ve heard that every time someone has a seizure there`s a little brain damage. is that true? how exactly does it work?

[IndigoRose]

I don't know exactly how it is intended to work, but I would absolutely never have it done.

[Lauru]

I had a friend from a DBT group who was doing ECT long term. She continued to be depressed and kept going in the hospital despite it. And she lost a lot of her memory, and was very tired. So just know it doesn't always work, but you still get the side effects. Oh, and she had to still take meds too, in between the ECT sessions.

Hello, mafub

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ele...9/METHOD=print
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vag...3/METHOD=print
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tra...5/METHOD=print

[ECTGirl]

Well, I have mixed feelings about ECT... I had my 1st ECT treatments (TX’s) in Nov. 2008 while I was in a psych hospital for severe depression that was so bad I wanted to end my life. The psych med's I was taking weren't working well enough to relieve my depression, so my psychiatrist suggested ECT. At 1st I wasn't real sure about getting the TX’s done & was rather afraid too. But once the TX’s started working I began to feel better & wanted to live again, which was a miracle. Yes, the ECT TX’s DID MESS w/my memory - long term & short term, but everyone told me to focus on how great they were making me feel. Oftentimes I jokingly compare my brain to a big chunk of Swiss cheese w/SM,MED,L, & XL holes that seem to come & go/move around all the time. Yes it can be/is infuriating at times, especially since I used to have a phenomenal memory. I've been getting ECT ever since 2008 & am currently in what's called a "maintenance phase," which means I get TX's done every 4-7 weeks depending on how I'm feeling. And I use "Beck's Depression Inventory" regularly to help keep track of how I'm feeling. I do still take an antidepressant but believe that ECT literally saved my life & helped me "become myself" again. In fact, my counselor told me the other day, "You're the best I've seen you in 10 years..." Anywho, I believe it works & I'm living proof. True, it may not work for everyone who tries it, but then again neither do all medications. So, if you're at your wit's end & med's just aren't working for you, why not give ECT a chance? “They” say that the memory problems are supposed to get better over time & “blah, blah, blah”, but I’m still not convinced. Yet, I must say, I can’t recall the last time I felt as great as I’m feeling for such a long time; and that’s worth a lot to me… I sure do hope my memory will get better, and maybe it won’t…but I’m hoping that one of these days I’ll get to stop the TX’s permanently (please God, please!!). Well, there you have it folks…that’s my story & I’m sticking to it…LOL!! ;O) So, “mafub,” I hope I’ve been of some help to you, and I wish you all the best in your decision making process. But most of all, I wish you much happiness & relief from your depression!! Tons of Blessings to you & all the rest of us here on “HASMS?” (AKA - “Has Anyone Seen My Sanity?”)…no wait, it’s really “Psych Central”! LOL!! “Silly rabbit, Kix are for Trids…” LOL!! There’s only one other thing I wish was available for ECT patients like me…a support group where we could discuss our experiences & help one another out, and so on… Who knows, maybe I’ll get around to starting one myself one of these days. Ta ta for now…

[mafub]

First, welcome to PC!

Your story was much appreciated. I met with my pdoc and I have taken a different route in which meds I take and getting some quality stress-free time and restful sleep.

I read the articles above that Byzantine suggested and feel they gave me enough info to decide against ECT at this time. I was also interested in transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is the least invasive of the brain-stimulation procedures used for depression. It requires no surgery or implantation of electrodes or nerve stimulators. While it's considered generally safe, it's not without some risks. It is not recommended for older people, and hasn't been around long enough for real data to be collected. My new meds seem to be helping and I am out of my crisis; that satisfies me at this time.

It is so fortunate that ECT is "it" for you. Sounds like you were having a really tough time and you respond well to your treatments even if the maintenance is a drag. Here's to your continuing wellness and recovery!

mafub, good luck in whatever you decide.

[SpiritRunner]

I have questions, if you want to say more about your story, yumers.....I am beginning to wonder if I need them too.....