Any experience with ECT's?

[carol]

I am being coerced by my doctor to continue ECT treatments, however I am experiencing severe long and short term memory problems. He says it's all in my head. Anyone having information for me or advice I would greatly appreciate it. I don't know whether I should just say no or continue on. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Revival]

Hi Carol, I had 9 ECT treatments earlier in the year, I can totally understand what you're saying about memory loss, in my case my short term memory became almost non-existant and I still have some problems now, though that is wearing off. Your doctor is talking b/s to be honest, I dont know anyone that would say that the memory loss isnt an issue, its widely achnowledged as one of the side-effects of ECT.
Feel free to pm me if you want to, good luck with whatever you decide,
Ally x

[one_step_closer]

There is lots of information about ECT on the Mind website. Please remember that if you are well enough to make this decision for yourself then you don't have to go through with the treatment if you don't want to. Perhaps you could look into advocacy to help you to have your views heard. Take care.

yes if you're legally allowed to say no, and you feel you shouldn't have them, then stand up for yourself. you have rights and it sounds like he doesn''t have any legal right to force you.

[susieannah]

I agree with the others, if you are capable of making this decision yourself he can't stop you from choosing to discontinue if that's what you want. Try to weight up both sides of continuing treatment. If you feel that a break from it to see how you do would be beneficial, it might be worth considering. I'd say talk to your health professionals and get their opinions, too :)

[Ami]

i think memory loss is a very common side effect.

maybess you could have a break and see how you feel x

[carol]

I have a doctors appointment on Thursday, and my daughter is going to go with me. She will be able to stand up for me when I can't. I have schizoaffective disorder, and I am not real stable at present. She said that if she can't talk the dr. into trying another medication, she would help me arrange for a new dr. Already I have lost all of mine and my daughters childhood memories. And yesterday I got lost in my own home town. Had to call my husband to get me to a familiar area. You all have convinced me no more ECT's! I do have a choice. thanks again!

[jen-x]

Yes you do have a choice. I'm glad your daughter is supportive and helping you. I think sometimes they (professionals - bad ones) think that we no longer possess the ability to think and reason when we are ill, and force their own ideologies and treatment preferences upon us. It's totally reasonable that you would not want your memory messed with and the fact that you are aware of this and it's upsetting you demonstrate that you understand the ramifications.

take care and good luck on thursday.

let us know how you get on,

jen x

[lostandalone3]

ECT screwed my memory, it works really well but i hate the fact i cant remember large chunks of my life.

yeah i've heard ECT causes memory loss. But I've also heard it can go away. Do what you think is best for YOU. Don't worry about what some dr. thinks. It's your body and as long as you legally can decide for yourself, you get to make the final decision in treatment.

[lozza]

hope your apt on thurs goes ok, let us know.

thinking of you

[discovery_journey]

I had ECT 9 yrs ago (16 lots) and 7 yrs ago (20 lots). Have lost a lot of my long term memory which I find really upsetting. My short term memory is not too bad now thankfully.

I hope it goes ok with your doc. You do have a choice.

Good luck