received ECT... how to recover from the negative effects?

[nevnad84]

I had ect treatment about a month ago, and it is much for me as it has been for you - the costs are far greater than any doctor had suggested. Besides severe memory issues, my cognitive functioning for daily normal and basic tasks has been greatly impaired. ect lifted my mood for about 2 weeks, but I would much rather have remained with severe depression, as painful as it was, then to have to experience the horrors and stress that I have experienced since ect. I wish I had something to say to encourage you and help you with your situation - but unfortunately, I'm in the same boat. I understand the frustration that you're experiencing over the fact that the doctors never told you that ect could cause you to feel mentally handicapped. I'll pray for you bro. Hang in there.

[singinglady]

i have had 2 successful rounds of ect and 1 round of tms which did not work & was extremely expensive $13,000 i had to compartmentalize the horrors of being anaesthesized 2 x a week not to mention entering an ice cold operating room & allowing strangers to take complete control of my mind & body

however, now that the treatment has worked i am no longer able to tolerate these effects & am told that the relapse rate for those of us who do not continue with a maintenance program, which would be fewer than 2 x a week, is 50% & the horror or being hospitalized again -- 6 this year alone before i would surrender & submit to this last round of treatments leaves me feeling trapped between 2 horrors

i am extremely sensitive to antidepressants & am right now tolerating lexapro & trazadone (for sleep) but cannot rely on them because of my past history with psychopharms

anyone found a less onerous alternative for those of us who respond so well to ect, as do i?

Originally Posted by jh8899

About two years ago i received a ECT and clozeral combination for a serious depression i was experiencing. as a result i was totally out of it for months i seemed to appear better at time cause of this sort of artificial high that these "treatments" created. i have lost a ton of memory (long term-short term) and simple everyday tasks such as boiling water for pasta i have found to be extremely difficult since the treatment--- loss of cognitive skills too. strangely enough i feel empty headed (no conscious thoughts running through my head) and i have lost the ability to visualize images in my head ( i thought in pictures) --- i feel like a totally different person and this is very stressful to me. it also angers me that i wasn't given all the info on the risks.

if anyone has experienced ECT and have had similar side effects or has any advise on how i can recover please comment.... thanks...

[singinglady]

you gave me exactly what i was seeking -- validation my psychiatrist, well meaning as i'm sure he is, had manipulated me into thinking that if i stopped treatment it would be my failure to comply

i have written a book about trauma, having witnessed my husband's dive from our b/r balcony 20 yrs ago & was a successful shrink in private practive for 25 years so i'm fairly certain of the ground on which i stand when i make decisions but this md had manipulated me into thinking i'd be stressing my adult son & letting him down

so, again, thank you for your response & for allowing me to benefit from your experience

singinglady

Originally Posted by nevnad84

I had ect treatment about a month ago, and it is much for me as it has been for you - the costs are far greater than any doctor had suggested. Besides severe memory issues, my cognitive functioning for daily normal and basic tasks has been greatly impaired. ect lifted my mood for about 2 weeks, but I would much rather have remained with severe depression, as painful as it was, then to have to experience the horrors and stress that I have experienced since ect. I wish I had something to say to encourage you and help you with your situation - but unfortunately, I'm in the same boat. I understand the frustration that you're experiencing over the fact that the doctors never told you that ect could cause you to feel mentally handicapped. I'll pray for you bro. Hang in there.

[nevnad84]

Let me know if you figure something out. ECT was a disaster in my case. The depression really did lift for about three weeks but concentration and memory are in ruins. I suck in social situations and am like a zombie. Unfortunately doctors do not tell you the serious risks of zapping your brain. I empathize with all of you and hope that recovery is a true possibility. Let me know if you have any good ideas or just want to talk with someone who knows the horrors of severe depression as well as experiences the cognitive impairments caused by ECT.

[Kathy49]

Hello... Ihave been reading your posts. Some of them go back a couple of years, and I am hopeful that this is still being discussed!

I am about 6 months out from my last of 16 treatments, and I STILL don't feel like myself.

I am hoping to be involved in these conversations, and to work together on how we can recover.

I have the same issues: memory loss, cognitive problems, loss of self-esteem, feeling crazy...

Are we allowed to exchange email adresses here?

I really need to talk to someone who can give me some hope!



Thanks!

Kathy

[Kathy49]

Originally Posted by nevnad84

Let me know if you figure something out. ECT was a disaster in my case. The depression really did lift for about three weeks but concentration and memory are in ruins. I suck in social situations and am like a zombie. Unfortunately doctors do not tell you the serious risks of zapping your brain. I empathize with all of you and hope that recovery is a true possibility. Let me know if you have any good ideas or just want to talk with someone who knows the horrors of severe depression as well as experiences the cognitive impairments caused by ECT.

I want to talk to someone who understands the after-effects of ECT, please.

[Kathy49]

Originally Posted by jh8899

Zeba,
that horrible... how long ago did you receive the treatments? i've been brainstorming with a couple friends of mine on a some possible way to make a full recovery from ECT... if you would like maybe we could put our heads together and try to figure something out?

I realize your post was awhile back, but is there any hope at all? I am only 6-7 months since my last treatment. I need something to look forward to. Thanks!

Kathy

[ridehard2208]

Hey Kathy, My name is Rich I haven't had ECT treatments, But I do have PN which sends mixed signals to my brain, severe arthritis (shoulder surgery & total knee replacement), chronic pain, and depression. Then all the side effects from my meds I have most of the same symptoms you have.

I do look for answers, knowledge, advice, but mostly support from this forum. I still do web research but most times five mintes after I read it I forget most of it. So it's good to have friends and a family of sorts who are going through same type of problems even though their conditions and symptoms are different, but you will find some of us are good listeners and supporters.

Here for you
God Bless!

[mustang]

I received ECT treatments in 2000. I was told I had over 100 done to me. It erased 11 years of my life. It caused my divorce and has severely hampered my ability to perform as a graphic designer. I am still on a ton of meds for my depression and have a big problem in remembering every day things. 11 years lost, that's alot for having ECT treatments that they say help you!

[ginnie]

Welcome to Neruo Talk. I have heard of the therapy you received. I hope you contact your doctor with all the issues you are having. There should be some kind of therapy available to help with memory. More help for sure than what you have received. You must have been quite depressed to have to go that route. Do you feel better with the depression? I hope there is a compassioate therapist that can help you cope with the side effects, and get you into a position where you are more comforatable. Keep in touch with Neuro Talk. There are alot of caring individuals on this site. Depression happens to alot of us. We can help with that just by staying in touch. ginnie