Has Anyone Else Had ECT

Not sure, I haven't been counting. I think I started shortly after you did and I have been having treatments twice a week.

I'll ask my dad if he remembers the starting date and I'll get back to you after I've had dinner (I'll be asking him at dinner).

I've had 12 treatments; the first 9 unilateral and the last 3 bilateral. Did you have no improvement at all until the 13th?

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Yeah, I had no improvement at all until the 13th one and then my depression improved dramatically. It seemed like the severe depression went away completely, but within a few weeks or so it came back in mild form, which is where it is today. I hope you see some improvement soon.

I'm considering it. I've been aggressively txd for MDD since 13 wo benefit. Another member mentioned it causing memory loss. I don't think, for me, it would be a bad thing. Did you have to undergo a bunch of screenings?

They have tried to make me have it numerous times. One time by force, but I was proven sane enough to make my own choice thankgod.

Each time I have done my research and discovered it is not much more effective than med treatment for people my age AND the majority of people still have to be highly medicated after receiving it? I would have thought if it was so good for depression people would be able to live off meds after? I honestly dont see the point if you are still needing to be on heavy duty meds anyway. AND many need repeat treatments throughout their life.

I know of people here who use it as a quick fix. Something bad happens in their life ie a relationship break up, and they are straight back to getting their brain fried as they dont want to use the coping skills and therapy instead - a direct quote "ECT was easier". That is incredibly horrifying that it is available to people like that. ECT should be a last resort, not something patients do to get out of doing the hard yards like the rest of us.

(Post note, I am not implying anyone from this thread used ECT like this, but it is happening and is frightening that people see it as a quick fix when it has a magnitude of side effects and long term issues related to it.)

Thank you for being so candid. It's definitely changed my outlook on it.

I've been in the psych ward 8 times in 8 months so the last time I asked for ECT and the attending psychiatrist said he'd adjust my Lexipro which just makes me suicidal so I got really rude and checked out. I need ECT badly.

I never had any screenings, but I can tell you that it's definitely affected my memory. Very frustrating.

Maybe you can find a different psychiatrist?

My mother (I'm 17 and live at home) was wondering, did the people around you notice you improving before you noticed/felt it yourself? And if so, how much sooner? (preferably in time as well as ECT sessions)

According to my psychiatrist, usually the depressed person is the last person to notice his/her improvement and my parents think they might be noticing a few small things, and they are wondering when I might start to notice it myself.

My ECT pdoc said that others will notice improvement before me too. I don't think it really applies in my case because my relief from depression was literally overnight - - after my 13th treatment. My husband said he can definitely tell a difference in me now, and so does one from of mine.

How many treatments have you had now?

Today was my 14th treatment; I have treatments twice a week.
It's a bit depressing how everyone I have ECT "with" (the people I see in the recovery room of the hospital) only need a few treatments before they are gone (= they have improved so much that they don't need the treatments anymore) and I'm still barely improving. I'm generally doing a bit better on the day I have the ECT and my parents are noticing some very miniscule improvements, mostly that I try to get relief from the feelings of guilt by helping around the house a tiny bit (I once cleaned up the bath after having a bath, and last weekend we had people visiting so I helped my mom clean out the dishwasher so she could get back to the visitors) whereas before I didn't have the energy to do things like that. But some of my other symptoms have actually worsened in the last few weeks.

Maybe you just need more treatments. Hang in there!

My T and I were considering ECT and I was ready to take the plunge. Then T "forgets" our conversation. I asked him again and he said he doesn't know who to contact. That doesn't sound normal. I feel that without something like ECT, my life is over...the depression IS that severe. I am not the person I was a few years ago. I am almost totally dependent on my H and never leave the house along any more.

Good luck finding a pdoc who does ECT. Maybe you could contact your local psychiatric hospital (if there is one) or even your local NAMI or DBSA chapter to find one. Are you near a fairly large town?

I know that ECT took me from very deep depths and gave me my life back. I hope in time the same happens for you.

I am currently undergoing a round of ECT. This is my fourth treatment and it doesn't seem to have helped so far. Does it usually take a good number of treatments before results occur? Is it possible that ECT may not work for me?

My T and I have a place in mind and he has called them to arrange a consult. I do live near the city so there's not a lack of places. Now the issue is my ever changing mind....
I had them years ago...bilateral... and the memory I did lose, I don't miss.

Teresa, ECT didn't work for me until after my 13th treatment. I'm not sure how many treatments it takes for the average person. My understanding is that it doesn't work for everyone. I really hope it works for you.

Oh, so you did have some permanent memory loss. That I'm not looking forward to (I know it doesn't happen to everyone.) I'm having bifrontal, so maybe that increases my chances of permanent loss, not sure.

Next Wednesday we'll evaluate whether or not to continue. By then I'll have had 19 treatments.