ECT - has anyone else been on it with good results?

fragile as glass · 27-12-2011, 08:40 PM

I was on ECT for a while and it really helped lift my mood. I'm currently negotiating with a new psychiatrist to go back on it.

My short term memory has been affected by it but the benefits far outweigh the bad effects. I'm fighting to get it again.

Has anyone else had ECT to good effect?

Or want to try it but not allowed?

Or a negative experience of it?

Although, for me, it saved my life at the time.

when.will.it.end · 27-12-2011, 08:45 PM

I don't have any experience of it but the idea completely freaks me out. Can I ask, how many sessions did you have? Who suggested it? Why was it so helpful?

fragile as glass · 27-12-2011, 09:07 PM

8 sessions ish. Suggested by a (my) Irish psychiatrist. Stopped due to not 'fitting enough' due to dr and anaethetist (sp). Fought that due to it working regardless of how often I fitted. Then lost fight when moved from the PICU to a secure ward and new shrink.

fragile as glass · 27-12-2011, 09:08 PM

Now have yet another shrink (12 in 2 years) who is prepared to look in to it

HildaOgden · 27-12-2011, 10:32 PM

I had 16 treatments, 2 a week. Helped get me out of a major depression. Saved my life. Was treated as inpatient.

Couple a years later had 20 treatments - it didn't really help that time. I was treated as outpatient.

Would I have it again? Yes.

Side effects? Memory problems, although psychs say that is probably more to do with symptoms of depression. i'm not so sure.

Cedrus · 27-12-2011, 11:17 PM

I haven't had personal experience, but someone I know in IP had 8 sessions I think it was, it wasn't her first time, and said it was a life saver.

I'm sorry things are so rubbish for you at the moment. Fight for the help you need.

*hugs* am always here for you, please remember that! x

fragile as glass · 27-12-2011, 11:18 PM

Yeah I have memory problems that I'm sure r from the ECT

fragile as glass · 27-12-2011, 11:19 PM

Thanks cedrus x

Foxtrot Oscar · 28-12-2011, 12:11 AM

I have had ECT as an inpatient and an outpatient. One course of treatment, think it was about nine sessions, brought me out of a major depression and saved my life. The difference in me was very noticeable; to other people and to me too. My experience echos that of diagnonense (sorry I don't know your name) really. I had a course of outpatient ECT that didn't help all that much. I would definitely be treated with ECT again yes, however I also believe that ECT has affected my memory. To me it is really frustrating as people talk about things that I have no recollection of. What annoys me is clinicians not really understanding this and validating it as opposed to the actual memory loss itself. It is a fair, tolerable trade off though for the benefits of ECT.

ECT remains a very controversial issue and seems to polarise opinions but I will always strongly advocate for its use.

Right, now I've failed in holding back on how passionate I am about the topic(!) I would like to say that I hope you and your psychiatirst can come to an agreement about your treatment and that if you do have further ECT it helps.

beautiful_seclusion · 28-12-2011, 05:59 AM

I've not had it and never would, but I've known someone who did. She didn't seem to think it helped her, so I don't know. She did complain of the memory loss. So it seems odd that psychs would try to downplay that. That would make me upset too if psychs pretended like there were no costs. Costs are ok if you are happier with the benefits, but the costs shouldn't be ignored. It seems if it's beneficial to you and safe for you, it makes sense for the psych to consider it as an option. Hopefully you'll find one who you can get on the same page with. To me, so long as it's voluntary and the risks are explained and it's helping, that should be up to the patient and the doctor, not anyone else's opinions. I don't think it should ever be forced though. I'm glad you were helped by it, I have heard several accounts online of people saying it helped them.

fragile as glass · 28-12-2011, 10:50 AM

Foxtrot my name is Liddy (Lydia!)

Interesting replies.

The consensus seems to be that if you've had it you have an opinion but it doesen't contain fear. If you haven't had it there is fear and questions about it. That seems to be a correct summary. Right or wrong?

HildaOgden · 28-12-2011, 01:31 PM

to be honest I used to love ECT - the opportunity to be unconscious for a period of time and away from all the ***** in life.
I hold no fear over it. If I were that bad again I woud definitely have it again even despite the memory problems.
love
Chas
xxx

strawberry11 · 29-12-2011, 03:30 AM

I had ECT and just the thought of it scared me. It scared me so so bad. I had it inpatient and my doctor suggested ECT because medications had failed. I didn't want it because I knew what was going to happen but at the same time I didn't know what else to do and with my parents support I decided to try it. I don't think I'd ever do it again in my entire life. I remember the whole before the ECT treatment thing. THem wheeling you to the OR and ugh....I'll stop there. It makes me want to just curl up and disappear. I've had to almost leave class because I could almost feel the tingles in my face from anesthesia or if I have a pain in my head that triggers that memory I just want to cry. The night before the first one I didn't sleep. They didn't give me anything to help me sleep and I cried the entire time. They put me under crying hysterically and I woke up that way and suddenly couldn't breathe. I have heard great things about it. That is the only reason why I did it. However, its just not for me. I really hope you can work things out with your doctor. Best wishes~