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wondering about ECT


20 years ago 0 4 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I have severe chronic depression. I underwent 40 treatments over a year and a half. It did help me to decrease the depressioon, but now I am left with huge gaps in my memory. I can't remember taking my kids to Disney or when my daughter broke her arm. I didn't remember that I am allergic to sulfa until I saw it on one of my papers. Its very difficult to function at times, I am still very forgetful, can't seem to learn new things. The docs that do the ECTs downplay the amount of memory loss and other side effects, that you can get. I suggest looking on the internet for the professional papers and magazines that are published by the psych docs and associations. I am now on disability can't work and still depressed. ECT usually works, but it isn't the cure all that they would have you believe. From what I have read that if you don't take meds or have "maintanence" treatments a lot of people will relapse within 6 months I had a nursing license for an RN for 20 years and am now not able to do my job anymore. It has been very difficult for me to give up something that I loved doing.
20 years ago 0 8 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
ECT is a serious intervention usually used in psychotically depressed patients who have failed to respond to other treatments over a prolonged period of time. The mechanisms are poorly understood and the side effects can be debilitating. This message was edited by Melanie, Support Specialist on 6/25/2004 @ 9:07:28 AM
20 years ago 0 25 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Zeegoman, Thanks for your input, I didn't think of it that way. I wanted to know how other people have done with it, and maybe most cases are initiated by the docter and the patient agrees. In the past, anyway, it seems most patients had it done (then called electic shock therapy)very much against their will, but the technology and knowledge about it has greatly improved since then.
20 years ago 0 8 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
If you are considering having it you don't need it!
20 years ago 0 1 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I had a series of ECT over a two week period in a hospital in January. I think it "shocked" me out of my depression. I don't remember any of it but my friends and family tell me I experienced very very high degrees of anxiety during the treatment. I haven't had any problems with memory other than not being able to remember those two weeks. I did have a slight headache for about a month after the last treatment. Also, the first couple weeks out of the hospital were rather unstable....out of depression one day...low low mood the next....alternating sometimes...I guess meds (Lithium, Remeron, Effexor, Synthroid, Lorazepam)finally leveled me out. I guess if I ever got to the place of unbearable,unrelenting, resisting, emotional pain I was in that made me consider ending my formerly happy life with two great kids, a great job, good friends, a wonderful church community, I'd do it again...Good luck friend. I'm sending healing thoughts your way now...
21 years ago 0 25 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello, I've heard some about ECT (Electro-Convulsive Therapy) but i don't know many people who has gone thru it. I'm interedted in knowing as much as I can about it becasue I've been considering having treatments.

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