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ECT
izzy24 posted:
I recently watched the video on ECT. I have bipolar and predominately experience depression. After having tried over 30 different medications I decided to try ECT...what a life saver and I'm not exaggerating. My therapist said she had never seen me like that; she said it was like I had already disconnected from everything, I wasn't giving away my stuff yet but it was close. I started treatments twice a week for about 8 weeks then once a week for 2 weeks and now every other week. I'm working to monthly which I plan doing indefinitely. I still take a couple of meds to maintain the benefits of the ECT. I can honestly say it is the best decision I've ever made as far as my mental health treatment. It's a commitment, for me an hour drive to the hospital but so worth it.
I think that for people who have tried multiple meds it's certainly worth researching. You need to find a good a Dr etc. I still see a therapist and attend DBT groups but honestly the ECT really saved my life and I get more from the other treatments (therapy and DBT) now that I'm feeling better. I can't say enough...Thank-You Dr Kelley!
I think that for people who have tried multiple meds it's certainly worth researching. You need to find a good a Dr etc. I still see a therapist and attend DBT groups but honestly the ECT really saved my life and I get more from the other treatments (therapy and DBT) now that I'm feeling better. I can't say enough...Thank-You Dr Kelley!
9 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:ECTI recently watched the video on ECT. I have bipolar and predominately experience depression. After having tried over 30 different medications I decided to try ECT...what a life saver and I'm not exaggerating. My therapist said she had never seen me like that; she said it was like I had already disconnected from everything, I wasn't giving away my stuff yet but it was close. I started treatments twice a week for about 8 weeks then once a week for 2 weeks and now every other week. I'm working to monthly which I plan doing indefinitely. I still take a couple of meds to maintain the benefits of the ECT. I can honestly say it is the best decision I've ever made as far as my mental health treatment. It's a commitment, for me an hour drive to the hospital but so worth it. <br />I think that for people who have tried multiple meds it's certainly worth researching. You need to find a good a Dr etc. I still see a therapist and attend DBT groups but honestly the ECT really saved my life and I get more from the other treatments (therapy and DBT) now that I'm feeling better. I can't say enough...Thank-You Dr Kelley!
deasertrose responded:
I had ECT in 2004. I didn't have suicidal thoghts for about 6 and 1/2 years. I take tons of medicine now. I have terrible memory loss. I don't know if it is from when one of my pdocs overdosed me on my medicine, it's the mrdicine I'm on now or if it is from the ECT. I want to do it again but I'm scared it will wipe out what memory I have left. Have you heard of anyone having this. When did you start you treatments? I glad to hear you are happier and doing better.
Report This| Share this:ECTI had ECT in 2004. I didn't have suicidal thoghts for about 6 and 1/2 years. I take tons of medicine now. I have terrible memory loss. I don't know if it is from when one of my pdocs overdosed me on my medicine, it's the mrdicine I'm on now or if it is from the ECT. I want to do it again but I'm scared it will wipe out what memory I have left. Have you heard of anyone having this. When did you start you treatments? I glad to hear you are happier and doing better.
alaska_mommy replied to deasertrose's response:
deasertrose, another person posted a link to articles a while back that said memory loss can definitely be a side effect of ECT. So it's not just you!
Report This| Share this:ECTdeasertrose, another person posted a link to articles a while back that said memory loss can definitely be a side effect of ECT. So it's not just you!
izzy24 replied to deasertrose's response:
dearertrose, I started my treatments in May. I do have some memory loss but for me it's more like forgetting things in the here and now. Things I was going to tell someone or forgetting something at the store, etc. Honestly it's like before the treatment just a little more pronounced. I haven't lost any big chunks of my past or anything like that. I find if I make lists (which I did a lot before) I'm fine. I did do 6 treatments last summer but the benefits only lasted about 2-3 months. Is it possible to get a second opinion from another Dr who does ECT and ask about the memory loss? I know my Dr is very conservative in that he only uses the minimum amount of electricity needed to induce the seizure. Good luck to you I hope you can find a treatment that really works and that you are happy with.
Report This| Share this:ECTdearertrose, I started my treatments in May. I do have some memory loss but for me it's more like forgetting things in the here and now. Things I was going to tell someone or forgetting something at the store, etc. Honestly it's like before the treatment just a little more pronounced. I haven't lost any big chunks of my past or anything like that. I find if I make lists (which I did a lot before) I'm fine. I did do 6 treatments last summer but the benefits only lasted about 2-3 months. Is it possible to get a second opinion from another Dr who does ECT and ask about the memory loss? I know my Dr is very conservative in that he only uses the minimum amount of electricity needed to induce the seizure. Good luck to you I hope you can find a treatment that really works and that you are happy with.
Lis11 responded:
Thank you for posting your experience with the ECT. I am in the beginning stages of getting appt and such to ECT. I am a little nervous but I have had two DR's recommend this procedure for me. I am hopeful that it will work.
Thanks again for posting!
Lis
Thanks again for posting!
Lis
Report This| Share this:ECTThank you for posting your experience with the ECT. I am in the beginning stages of getting appt and such to ECT. I am a little nervous but I have had two DR's recommend this procedure for me. I am hopeful that it will work. <br /><br />Thanks again for posting!<br /><br />Lis
AnnaFromHesse replied to alaska_mommy's response:
that was me, here is the discussion, where I have posted the links:
http://forums.webmd.com/3/depression-exchange/forum/9052
http://forums.webmd.com/3/depression-exchange/forum/9052
Report This| Share this:ECTthat was me, here is the discussion, where I have posted the links:<br /> <br /><a href="http://forums.webmd.com/3/depression-exchange/forum/9052">http://forums.webmd.com/3/depression-exchange/forum/9052</a>
AnnaFromHesse replied to AnnaFromHesse's response:
I would try ECT, if really nothing else help.
I would first choose the version with the lowest risks.
That means, square wave voltage, RUL (only the right side of the head), and only one treatment in a week.
I would first choose the version with the lowest risks.
That means, square wave voltage, RUL (only the right side of the head), and only one treatment in a week.
Report This| Share this:ECTI would try ECT, if really nothing else help.<br /> <br />I would first choose the version with the lowest risks.<br />That means, square wave voltage, RUL (only the right side of the head), and only one treatment in a week.
Demons2011 replied to AnnaFromHesse's response:
AnnaFromHesse, Thanks for the information. It's something which I have been thinking about since medications (for me) seem to have too many side effects. Like forgetting how to return to daughters home, while driving to daughters. Skin crawling, anger and being a general horses arse.
The lateral treatment, right side only, for depression sounds like it might work but the number of treatments require and the COST is substantial.
While I was in lock down, I saw/experienced a number of people, middle age, elderly after their treatments. Blank stares, lack of concentration, mellow states - like the light is on and nobody is home. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see very many the day after or a week later. The ones I did get to see (in lock down), I never got seen how they were responding. So I guess, I'm still pretty nervous about the method.
The lateral treatment, right side only, for depression sounds like it might work but the number of treatments require and the COST is substantial.
While I was in lock down, I saw/experienced a number of people, middle age, elderly after their treatments. Blank stares, lack of concentration, mellow states - like the light is on and nobody is home. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see very many the day after or a week later. The ones I did get to see (in lock down), I never got seen how they were responding. So I guess, I'm still pretty nervous about the method.
Report This| Share this:ECTAnnaFromHesse, Thanks for the information. It's something which I have been thinking about since medications (for me) seem to have too many side effects. Like forgetting how to return to daughters home, while driving to daughters. Skin crawling, anger and being a general horses arse. <br /><br />The lateral treatment, right side only, for depression sounds like it might work but the number of treatments require and the COST is substantial. <br /><br />While I was in lock down, I saw/experienced a number of people, middle age, elderly after their treatments. Blank stares, lack of concentration, mellow states - like the light is on and nobody is home. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see very many the day after or a week later. The ones I did get to see (in lock down), I never got seen how they were responding. So I guess, I'm still pretty nervous about the method.
izzy24 replied to Demons2011's response:
Demons2011, I can't say for sure but if you were seeing people the day of their treatments it's possible what you say was the result of the anesthesia more than the treatment itself. When you have ECT you are put under for a little while, I'm not sure how long. The day of treatment in my experience is when I'm most likely to have the most difficulty. Again I don't know if that is the case in what you have seen but it's possible. I've had treatment long enough now that I tend to bounce back pretty quickly, I feel fine in 2-3 hours. Obviously that's not going to be the case for everyone. Good luck in whatever you decide.
Report This| Share this:ECTDemons2011, I can't say for sure but if you were seeing people the day of their treatments it's possible what you say was the result of the anesthesia more than the treatment itself. When you have ECT you are put under for a little while, I'm not sure how long. The day of treatment in my experience is when I'm most likely to have the most difficulty. Again I don't know if that is the case in what you have seen but it's possible. I've had treatment long enough now that I tend to bounce back pretty quickly, I feel fine in 2-3 hours. Obviously that's not going to be the case for everyone. Good luck in whatever you decide.
Demons2011 replied to izzy24's response:
Izzy24, thanks for the insights, seemed like it was the day of treatment and perhaps the following day. Since I was in the Psyc. ward., I was kept pretty busy during treatment hours and what I saw was Very short sighted. I am not contrary to the idea, just nervous when I consider it for myself. Again, thanks.
Report This| Share this:ECTIzzy24, thanks for the insights, seemed like it was the day of treatment and perhaps the following day. Since I was in the Psyc. ward., I was kept pretty busy during treatment hours and what I saw was Very short sighted. I am not contrary to the idea, just nervous when I consider it for myself. Again, thanks.
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