HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

ECT/depression/panic disorder

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/24/2010 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I am new to this site and I have a question. I have also posted this in the depression forum. I have taken every medication from A to Z for this condition and nothing has worked. My doctor is pushing for me to have electric shock treatments as I am feeling at the point of nothing,... no medication has helped after almost 2 years of trying every medication known to man for these combined disorders. If anyone has had ECT could you please tell me what it is like to go through and what the after effects are and if it helped. I have been told that I will experience short term memory loss but that is all my doctor will say about it. I need to know more that just that and if anyone out there can help me please reply to my urgent messege.

I am sorry, I had to edit this post, as per rule #1

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 12/23/2010 10:58:08 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/24/2010 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
POSTED 2 YOU ON THE DEPRESSION FORUM. JAMIE.
Posted 12/24/2010 6:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome. I am sorry that you are going through such a rough time right now. It does sound like you have some very crucial decisions to make.
I don't know anything about ECT, but with a treatment this significant, I would strongly recommend a second, and possibly third opinion.
I hope that there will be some others to offer more help soon.
Take care, and feel free to post anytime with questions, concerns, to vent, or just to share. This is a great place, glad you found us.
Scaredy Cat
Posted 12/24/2010 6:23 AM (GMT 0)
SC SEEN THE POST ON DEPRESSION FORUM, HAVE HAD ECT. SHARED INFO THERE. JAMIE.
Posted 12/24/2010 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  I am just wondering if you have tried Effexor XL or Remeron.  Also has your Dr. ever added a mood stablizer to your mix of medications ?  May I suggest you discuss these meds with your Dr.

My Dr. did talk to me once about ECT as well as I had a friend who went through the treatments.  I will be honest and tell you I preferred to keep on trying meds until we finally hit upon a med that worked for me.  I have had anxiety and depression for 28 years with many good years but my last major meltdown has really made me work harder then ever at beating this disorder.

I know 2 years feels like a life time to you so please know you have come to the right place for support and sharing.

I wish you peace,

Kitt

Posted 12/24/2010 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
kitt ect is still an effective form of treatment for resistant type depression. jamie and is a form of tried and tested treatment as well. it has stood the test of time. pls don't knock it.
Posted 12/24/2010 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
90% of people will reinstate there meds after treatment. jamie.
Posted 12/24/2010 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
it seems people need education regarding ect. is there a directive against it here on the hw forums? would gladly give away my meds for regular maintenance ect. a lot of people do have very successful maintenance treatments. jamie. just sick of the negatives. had worse s/e on meds!!!!!!!

with compassion jamie. ect works..............and serves a life-saving purpose.
Posted 12/24/2010 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
apologies..............made me feel down. jamie.
Posted 12/24/2010 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Opaqueblues,

Welcome to the site. I hope you'll find it helpful and encouraging. While I haven't had ECT personally I do have some familiarity with it. As Jaimee pointed out despite some of the negative assumptions that some people have, ECT is still used as a legitimate form of treatment (in some places more than others). That being said, it's usually used as a last resort and not something that doctors tend to quickly "jump" to using. I agree with SC that you may want to consider getting a second opinion as it's only been two years (though as Kitt said I'm sure it feels like a lot longer).

As far as the treatment itself you'll be given something so that your body doesn't move (i.e. so you don't experience convulsions) that are a part of Electro-Convulsive Therapy. Also, just to let you know you'll likely have multiple treatments (it's not a one time only kind of thing). The frequency and number of treatments should decrease if it works for you.

ECT won't help everyone yet a number of people swear by it. Like anything else, only you can decide if it's right for you. I would encourage you to learn more about it (as you're doing) and ask plenty of questions of professionals. Be careful about what you read online as you'll get a lot of personal opinions mixed in with professional opinions. And in the end, remember it's your decision. I wish you well.
Posted 12/24/2010 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
I had ECT (6 treatments) fifteen years ago.  I had severe anxiety at the time.  I did get better but I was on medication too so I will never know whether it was the ECT or the meds or combo of both which helped me recover.  I was really sick from the anaesthetic the first time so I was given anti sickness and was ok for the next five treatments.  I had a headache and felt a bit under the weather after each treatment but was fine again by the next day.  I had a few "black holes" in my memory for a time but nothing drastic.  If nothing else has worked for you, I would think it is worth a try - just my opinion.  I would have tried absolutely anything at the time as my life was unlivable with my illness.
Posted 12/25/2010 7:05 AM (GMT 0)
thx 4 sharing jan marie. with compassion, jamie

Posted 12/25/2010 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning Everyone,

A good friend of mine went through the full treatment of ECT.  She did very well but I know her issues were different than mine.  She had depression and anorexia and was down to 88 lbs and refusing to eat.  She was in the hospital due to her status which was all traced back to her depression.   The ECT tretments made her so much better that  she came home to be able to resume her life and take care of her 2 beautiful children.

ECT may be given during a hospital stay, or a person can go to a hospital just for the treatment and then go home. ECT is given up to 3 or 4 times a week. Usually no more than 12 treatments are needed to relieve depression. Treatment is given by a psychiatrist. My friend went as a outpatient and had the full 4 time per week for 3 weeks = 12 treat ments.

My Primary Care shared with me that a good friend of hers had the treatment and it worked very well for her. 

Much of the stigma attached to electroconvulsive therapy is based on early treatments in which high doses of electricity were administered without anesthesia, leading to memory loss, fractured bones and other serious side effects.

Electroconvulsive therapy is much safer today. :-)

Kitt

 

Post Edited (stkitt) : 12/26/2010 7:56:12 AM (GMT-7)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply