I am seriously considering trying ECT again for my refractory depression. Nothing seems to work for me and while I haven't given up on meds (today at least) I am pretty sure it just is not meant to be for me.
I spoke with my pdoc about it again today because, while I had a positive experience the last time, I have heard a lot of negative talk about repeated ECT trials.
I take that negativity with a grain of salt both because I have experienced ECT before and because I know there is a lot of misinformation and fear mongering about ECT as a valuable treatment.
I asked my pdoc what Drs thought ECT did to the brain and I feel more confident about trying it again given his response.
First of all, for anyone concerned about my pdoc only giving me the positive spin, that is not the case at all. He told me some of his patients are certain it has caused problems for them, but he also said it helps many people. He is not one to gloss over the difficulties with different treatments and I trust him 150% plus.
My pdoc said that the seizures induced in ECT seem to open up neurotransmitters in much the same way that antidepressants work. He said there is also data that shows ECT may build neural pathways, as opposed to "damage" them in the way that everyone seems to think it does. He also said, contrary to what one might think it raises the threshold for seizures, thus making it more difficult for your brain to have a seizure. My sister has had seizures, so that is a bit of a concern for me.
Anyways, I guess why I am writing is because I hear so many bad things about ECT, but I know it can be a godsend for some of us whose depression is resistant to medication. I found the discussion with pdoc very informative and interesting, so I thought I would share.
Thanks for sharing Aqua. I get the sense that your depression is persistent and drug-resistant. You seem to be of a made-up mind. I have had ECT and it didn't work for me. I was happy for one or two days but then as the memories flooded back in, I got depressed again. Also, I can't remember being happy because I have absolutely zero recall of the three weeks or so during and after which I had treatment.
I wouldn't go back to it, but you seem to be fairly certain. If you think it is right for you, then it may be the right thing to do. I would be very curious to see how it goes so keep us informed.
Yours,
-stile
ps I am not trying to talk you out of it, but be aware that memory loss can be a side effect (maybe that is not such a bad thing if you are severely depressed)
Thanks for the reply . I am sorry you did not have a good ECT experience.
Yes, my depression has been completely resistant to meds. A couple seemed to work for a few weeks and than just stopped...who knows why?
When I had ECT I had short term memory problems for the few weeks following the treatments...not that I noticed, but my husband and family told me later I kept repeating myself. I clearly remember my whole hospital stay though, so its kind of funny given what you read and are told about people losing memories for things that happened around the time they received ECT.
One thing I did lose...and I noticed immediately, was my ability to spell. I had always had impeccable spelling prior to ECT...now that is gone...but my mood definitely rose during and after ECT. I would be using it for that, but also to try and "kick start" some medication/s working. ECT is sometimes helpful in increasing the odds of medication working. That is what I'm hoping for.
I'm not going to be able to go in until the early fall...so maybe by then something will help and I won't need to. ...Aqua
Hi Aqua, I really hope you find some form of treatment that helps before you go for ECT. Have you tried CBT? Have you tried a depression group or individual psychotherapy? Diet and exercise? I just think ECT is such a harsh treatment I would hope that you don't have to go through with it.
I am working with CBT right now, and am finding it helpful. I am also working with med increases and diet and exercise. Every little bit helps. I feel myself beginning to pull out of the depression.
HI Stile, I appreciate your concern for me (and you may be right...the memory effects might be a good thing when one is severely depressed), but I believe so much is said about the negatives about ECT when often ECT helps many people who are helped by nothing else. I wish there was more balanced info out there.
I have done CBT numerous times. One of my first depressive episodes I had great luck with it, but as my episodes became worse it became just a way of me making myself feel worse. I wrote about my experience and beliefs about CBT just above in the Bipolar CBT section if you are interested. Anyways...thanks for listening, ...Aqua
Ebioni, That is not a stupid question at all. I was worried about that too.
No, it does not hurt. They give you a muscle relaxant and then a short lived anesthetic and the do the procedure. Each time I woke up really groggy and confused and had a headache for an hour or so, but after that I was fine. ...aqua
Auqua, if you have had a good experience last time why not try it again? If you get no relief from drugs than alternate source of treatment is the only way. If you need the relief. I am taking ECT and it has saved my life, but unfortunatly I need to keep getting the treatments to stay on top. Every two weeks. I met someone in hospital that gets it every week. Just to keep her on top. She too has not been "cured" by it.
I am considering ECT again
Posted - 05/01/2007 : 19:18:57
I hope you can find treatment that will work!! 
