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Anonymous37807
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Default Dec 11, 2014 at 04:29 PM
  #1
I have been having electroconvulsive therapy treatments since November and am curious to know if anyone else is having them and if they have helped.

I would have to say that they definitely helped my depression. They haven't eliminated the depression completely but have definitely made a considerable improvement.
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Default Dec 11, 2014 at 06:20 PM
  #2
I haven't. I don't know why it has never been mentioned to me.

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Default Dec 11, 2014 at 06:49 PM
  #3
Glad to hear you've felt the benefit. It does seem to be a helpful last resort for many people. It picked me up from rock bottom, enough to get functioning again.

Do you still get anxious about the treatments or have you got over that?
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Default Dec 12, 2014 at 08:01 AM
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Glad to hear you've felt the benefit. It does seem to be a helpful last resort for many people. It picked me up from rock bottom, enough to get functioning again.

Do you still get anxious about the treatments or have you got over that?
Yes, I definitely still get anxious about the treatments. It's very nervous-making for me. If I didn't feel like I absolutely had to have them, I'd never do it.
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Default Dec 11, 2014 at 06:52 PM
  #5
I am glad the treatments helped you.
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Default Nov 06, 2015 at 03:24 AM
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I am glad the treatments helped you.
So very happy for you that ECT helped you. I have never tried it, probably because it's so expensive and I'm receiving disability and the gov't wouldn't pay such an outrageous bill... Hope your good mood continues!!!!
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Default Jan 14, 2016 at 02:23 AM
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I started ECT again in Aug. ACt first, they worked very well. Then it sort of fizzled out. Last week, I called the hospital and told them I was stopping them. I'm so upset that they didn't keep working. It was my last hope. I had unilateral ultra brief pulse treatments. My memory wasn't affected very much.
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Default Jan 14, 2016 at 02:30 AM
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Well, as far as memory....I forgot I posted on this thread

Newgal, I was disappointed that I didn't get the same dramatic result after a while. The memory thing is minor. When I had ECT years ago , I had bilateral and my memory did take a hit. I don't really miss what ever it was I forgot. Couldn't have been THAT important. I just wish they'd work for me now as I'm a total slug, dependent on my husband for almost everything. If you have the lose dose (voltage) the memory loss is negligible. Good luck to everyone having ECT.
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Default Dec 11, 2014 at 06:55 PM
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Yeah, and I'll never do it again. It destroyed my memory.

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Default Dec 12, 2014 at 08:02 AM
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Yeah, and I'll never do it again. It destroyed my memory.
Silent Void, has it affected your memory permanently? It's definitely affected my memory but I've read that is temporary . . .
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Default Dec 15, 2014 at 09:29 AM
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Silent Void, has it affected your memory permanently? It's definitely affected my memory but I've read that is temporary . . .
Sorry, I didn't see your question right away. Yes, my memory deficit is permanent. Both short-term and long-term memory were affected.

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Default Dec 14, 2014 at 05:19 PM
  #12
yeah, I am still taking it. It's been a year and now I am spread out to four weeks. I only get the "single pole" for depression-its not supposed to be bad for memory; ane I've found that to be the case,although I am still trying to decide how much it has effected my cognitive overall. I take it for
severe depression and that is what it has helped with. I also have some general anxiety, OCD, and maybe some ADHD thrown in for good luck.
I am trying to decide on the ECT. Works better than any medicine i've been on for depression, and i've been on quite a few, but the cost can be prohibitive if it doesn't spread out some more.
I take pritiq 200 mg, buspar 30 Mg 3 times a day, and ativan 2mg 3x a day also.
This is my first real post, so I hope it makes sense.
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Default Dec 15, 2014 at 10:06 AM
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I will not have ECT again either. I also have permanent memory loss.
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Default Jan 09, 2015 at 09:22 PM
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I will not have ECT again either. I also have permanent memory loss.
Thank you for being so candid. It's definitely changed my outlook on it.
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Default Dec 15, 2014 at 10:38 AM
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My memory loss was only short-term and very temporary.
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Default Dec 15, 2014 at 10:46 AM
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I am very sorry to hear of the people who've had permanent memory problems. I sure hope that isn't the case for me, although I've had no choice but to have ECT because my depression was so severe and not responding to medication. I will have to accept what comes my way in terms of memory deficits. I always prided myself on having a sharp mind and good memory so I really hope this isn't compromised.
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Default Dec 17, 2014 at 04:35 AM
  #17
I am also looking into ECT. Can I ask what kind of memory problems? Is it more like a piece or is it on going memory issues? I feel like I'm at the end of my rope with meds.
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Default Dec 18, 2014 at 08:06 AM
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I am also looking into ECT. Can I ask what kind of memory problems? Is it more like a piece or is it on going memory issues? I feel like I'm at the end of my rope with meds.
Hi Sanora, I think everyone's memory may be affected differently but for me, I have trouble remembering random things just from during the time period that I've had the ECTS, not the distant past. One problem I have is remembering directions to places. I have to constantly get directions from mapquest to find my way, even though I've been there numerous times.

Another example is reading. I'm in a couple of book clubs and I have to take notes after reading because I can't remember what I read. It's very frustrating. I'm not working right now but hope to be soon. I hope the memory issues don't pose too much of a problem in the workplace.

Best of luck if you decide to have the treatments. They made a big difference for me.

P.S. I'm having treatments right now 2 weeks apart. Maybe if someone has them farther apart there aren't memory problems?
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Default Dec 19, 2014 at 12:07 AM
  #19
It's been a year since I had 23 sessions of ECT. I stopped because I couldn't tolerate having anesthesia three times a week coupled with the long drive there and back and the pressure to maintain a relationship (my boyfriend drove me but never understood how difficult it was). I have memory problems. I'm sure ECT was a factor however depression itself causes memory issues and so does aging. I have treatment resistant depression. ECT definitely helped me. Having ECT was the right thing for me and I'd have it again if I thought I needed it.

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Default Dec 19, 2014 at 10:58 AM
  #20
For those of you who have ECT, do you have it really early in the morning or is that just how my pdoc does it? Monday I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. for my ECT! Considering it's an hour drive, we have to be up mighty early for it. I sure appreciate that my husband drives me there so early without complaint.

Last edited by Anonymous37807; Dec 19, 2014 at 02:28 PM..
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