Looking for experiences with ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)

    Pridemom did you read my post above? Not only did I have 20 treatments of ECT with extensive memory loss, but I also have MTHFR gene mutation with two markers. My Integrative Medicine doctor tested my blood for the MTHFR. Yes, as I mentioned in my post it is well worth getting blood tested for this. 

But I would caution you not to self treat your daughter by giving her folinic acid unless her blood has been tested and that's what the doctor has prescribed for her. Not everyone who has MTHFR gene mutation needs that. For myself my problem was I couldn't process B12 from ordinary sources or from even ordinary B12 supplements. I take a supplement called "Homocysteine Supreme" from Designs for Health. It is made a certain way that my body can process it. 

Because my body wasn't able to process B12 for years and I wasn't aware of it eventually it led to "treatment resistant depression". If it had gone on it would have led to dementia like it did with my grandmother. 

I am under the care of an Integrative Medicine doctor who discovered this problem and once I started taking the correct form of B12 my depression vanished and has never come back. I wouldn't consider doing this without a doctor's care. Even though he doesn't take insurance and he charges me $150.00 every visit I consider him worth every penny. He could have saved me 10 years worth of depression and my memory loss. 

Even though they are "supplements" or "vitamins" they can still do damage if taken incorrectly. In fact I remember the first supplement prescribed for me for the MTHFR. I took it while sitting at my desk at home and within 5 minutes slid off my chair and was on the floor. Luckily my adult DS was home so I called him and he rushed downstairs. (I have my scraproom in our finished basement.) He quickly called my doctor's office, handed me the phone and they asked to describe my symptoms. The remedy was something sweet-DS ran upstairs for orange juice. That particular version of the supplement had put me in a hypoglycemic state even though I've never had diabetes.  I was the first patient in the office to have that sort of reaction. Within a few minutes I felt perfectly fine. I took the supplement back to the office and my doctor switched it to the current one I've been taking ever since. 

I just don't want anything bad to happen to your daughter. 

I also wanted to mention the VNS. My son has one for his seizures but it can be very effective for people with severe, drug resistant depression.

     Marcy, you are very welcome. I share my medical experiences so that I can possibly help others.  Be prepared though-many traditional doctors don't know about or can't test for MTHFR. That's why it took me so long to get diagnosed. But it is more prevalent than you would think in our society. And if you have it like I did (which must have been very bad-enough to have caused treatment resistant depression for 10 years), your blood work for regular B12 can still look normal. That's what's so frustrating. But a simple blood test for the MTHFR gene can detect it. 

If you can find one in your area I would suggest looking for an Integrative Medicine Doctor. Mine is a board certified in internal medicine. His card says the offer the best of conventional treatments with natural approaches and alternative strategies. Now that doesn't mean anything really far fetched. Far from it. You know how you go to a traditional doctor for a problem? He/She looks at the one problem and usually prescribes a drug to treat that one problem. The way my Integrative Medicine doctor works is that he sees the body as a whole, and he works equally with you as the patient. First you meet with him in his office for about 45 minutes. He goes over your whole history and any complaints you may have. Then he does complete (really complete) blood work on you. Then you meet again to go over the blood work and both of you work out a plan to best treat you based on the blood work, and what problems you are having. This involves traditional prescriptions and vitamins and supplements. 

My doctor locally is so much in demand (people come from 60 miles away to see him) that he doesn't need to take insurance so he doesn't. I pay him at cost out of my own pocket because he is worth it. He also communicates with me by email which is very handy. No other doctor does that. 

I hope you can find a doctor who can test your husband. Don't give up until you do. Remember, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". Just keep on searching. There will be one out there. Please PM me if you need more advice. 

No worries Zella. Whoever asked the question before, I'm more than happy to answer it again. If I can help anyone now and in the future I will repeat my experience as long as it takes. 

I do wish for you to feel better as soon as possible. I know what you are going through. And how difficult it can be to remember those things that can/might make you feel better, but to simply forget them the very next minute because simply existing is so difficult. 

If you need someone to chat too, someone to remind you-please feel free to PM me at any time. (And whoever else is struggling with this vicious disease we call depression). I've been there. I know what you are going through. Sending big HUGS your way!

BY the way if you are talking about the blue light that helps seasonal disorder I have one of those too. It's all about keeping a routine. For me my day starts with making coffee, then bringing it down to my desk where my desktop computer is. I get online and spend about 2 hours here. This is where my blue light is and since it's right there next to my computer I turn it on. You are supposed to use it first thing in the morning. I use mine through the winter because I hate winters. Mine is on a timer and goes for 45 minutes then turns itself off. I've had it for years. My Integrative doctor suggested it. 

Take care and write if you want someone to talk to who's been there. 

My older dd's therapist suggested that my younger dad be tested for low b12 & folic acid as a cause of her depression/anxiety.
Her pediatrician was happy to oblige us as he would like her to be off antidepressants too. Both were normal. B12 was high.
It's an easy fix if that's someone's issue.

Also saw that genetic test can also be linked to migraines & autism. Makes you wonder why it isn't more mainstream.

DH talked to our family doctor at DD's appointment yesterday. Our youngest's TSH still is not under control. He said to go ahead and start the coenzyme folinic acid. He said it won't hurt her to try it. My PA friend said the same. Middle DD already takes a RX version with her medication that impedes folate metabolization.