Looking for experiences with ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)

In reading your posts over the past few months, I have often thought that ECT might be a good option for you. I haven't had it myself, but have worked on a locked psychiatric ward and seen it work wonders on people who were suicidal and for whom medication wasn't working to alleviate the depression.

The bottom line - it is important that you stay alive, and if this is able to help you do that, it is worth it, IMO. You have built up such a wealth of memories of your sister over the years that it is unlikely you would lose all of those memories to ECT.

It is a serious intervention, so I'm glad that you are taking time to gather information and think about it thoroughly.

My closest friend credits ECT with saving her life. She had a variety of issues beforehand, but it was done for the depression that was resistant to pretty much everything else. It's been years and years, and it was a real game changer for her. She's pretty content and easy going now. I don't think ECT made her all sunshine and rainbows, but that was her real personality and the treatment let her get back to herself.

I'm hoping for the best for you, whatever treatment options you decide on.

I agree with Elaine's comments. I also worked on a locked psychiatric ward and have witnessed ECT. The experience of the patients I knew who had it was that the memory loss was primarily short-term, not long-term, but I think it is wise of you to fully explore this option. 

My BFF did it, but he passed away before we could really see the results. After the treatment, he had some memory problems, and he spoke more slowly, but he felt so much more like he remembered himself. He was absolutely on his way out of his darkness. I wish you peace in your decision. Positive thoughts, and hugs to you.

my stepdad's mom did this many years ago. the change was absolutely profound. she went from being almost catatonic (her depression was severe, following the death of her husband) to being her normal, upbeat, happy self.

she lived for a number of years after that, and as far as I know, her depression did not return

It worked wonders for my MIL. She has some memory issues but that has actually improved a bit over the years (she had it done almost 20 years ago now).

This is a surgery I told you about. I talked to two doctors about it and it has had some amazing results according to the Canadian Journal of Medicine. (I can get you the link) but when I talked to my GP she had 2 patients have it done and one patient had success with it and was pleased and she had who had it done at Swedish Hospital in Seattle and hers wasn't life saving and she kept having to pay to have the wires put in the right spot. This was several visits to the hospital. There is a doctor in Vancouver who does it (Chris Honey) and he is the expert on it. Here is his publication list and you as a nurse would know what a lot of this means drhoney.org/research/ and can check out some of his papers on the subject. He has had lots of success with it. 

There is another procedure that I am being evaluated for and that is brain stimulation with a magnet. Sounds crazy but they have had good success with it, too. My appointment for intake is Feb 1 and then if I get approved it's everyday for 15 minutes for 3 weeks. My GP said she has heard tons of great things about this therapy and is 100% behind it. The psych is 100% behind it, but he cautions me to keep my expectations low in case it isn't as "great" as I had been hoping. www.mdabc.net/repetitive-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-rtms is the link and not the clinic I will be going to. The therapy I will be having is covered by medical. 

Good luck. You have all of us behind you.

I feel like I'm experiencing dejavu. (Spelling)? I could have sworn you've, or another Pea has asked this question before. Exactly like you posted it. 

I personally have experienced ECT. I had 20 treatments of ECT in 2009-2010 both bilaterally and oh, I forgot what it's called but it's when they only shock one side of your brain. Bilaterally is the most invasive. I had suffered from what is called treatment resistant depression for close to 10 years before my doctor suggested this therapy and had been through many different medications. Some would work at first, but then they'd stop working and I'd be on to the next one. 

I was told I'd probably lose a tiny bit of short term memory, but that it'd come back and that I wouldn't lose any long term memory. I was so depressed and almost in a catatonic state that I signed the paperwork to okay the treatment, although my sister tried to talk me out of it-she has a degree in Psychology. It wasn't until I was finished with the 20th treatment that I realized what was going on. Yes it did help, but only for a few days and then all of the depression would return. What was horrifying was my memory was disappearing. I put my foot down at that point and refused further ECT treatments even though I was still just as depressed as I was at the beginning. I've lost at least 50% of my long term memories and they are gone for good. I still have problems with short term memory. So much that I have to write everything down. It's impacted my life in a number of ways. Obviously if I had it to do over again I never would have done the treatments. I think they are dangerous and outdated. I also think across the board they do more harm than good. It just isn't worth the risk. There is a class action suit being put together right now from patients who have suffered memory loss because the doctors sugar coat the actual danger before the procedures, and the actuality of it is the memory loss is huge. Don't know if anything will come of it but right now they are collecting case histories. 

What ended up happening with me was an Integrative Medicine doctor tested my blood for a defective gene called MTHFR. Turned out I had two markers for it. What it mainly does is if you have the defective gene it means you can't convert B12 from regular sources or even from regular B12 supplements. Over time your body accumulates this loss lower and lower and symptoms begin appearing. Depression is one. If it continues even more dementia is another (this is what happened to my grandmother who I inherited this from-she never knew she had it). There are no symptoms and on blood work your B12 count can look normal. Once my doctor diagnosed mine he put me on the correct B12 supplement my body could tolerate and just like that-my depression vanished. And it has never come back. Oh if I only knew beforehand! 

My advice is to get this blood test as soon as you can. Preferably from an Integrative Doctor if you can find one in your area. They are the most qualified in this area. Mine doesn't take insurance and yes I have to pay him out of pocked $150.00 every time I see him but he is worth every single penny. He could have saved my memory if I'd known about him and seen him before the ECT treatments. 

I wish you the very best! I know how agonizing depression can be. I lived with it for 10 long years. PM me if you every want to "talk". 

     Thank you inked up. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. But please don't worry about me. I've made my peace with it. It's our trials in life that make us stronger. And it was a true gift and blessing that I found my Integrative doctor and he found the cause. 

I'm so grateful for everyone who has shared their experiences. I've struggled with anxiety most of my life and depression for years; this year has been the worst. I'm grateful to have some options I didn't know about that I can now look into. Thank you all.

Have you tried light and heat therapy?

In my college classes, I have heard it can be effective. One problem that some report is memory loss. I know you have been struggling for some time now.

Because of my children's health issues, I have been researching MTHFR gene mutation. It can cause depression and anxiety. The treatment is Folinic Acid (better absorbed than folic acid) and b12. It's worth asking for blood tests. Here's an article I found recently. I have folinic acid on order for my eldest daughter to try. She has Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, anxiety, migraines, and gluten sensitivity; as a child she had Apraxia of speech. All can be connected to MTHFR mutation.

If it is something that can help you, it's a simple treatment and nowhere near ECT.

www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/sa-lifestyle/how-a-vitamin-cured-my-anxiety-elisa-blacks-story-of-lifelong-struggle-and-new-hope-for-the-future/news-story/058666cc978da7ee1fca0f1ee043212c