I know this topic has been discussed before but I'm curious about how bad the memory loss/confusion was, if there were any negative side effects with the anesthesia and did it work?

It's been recommended to me a few times in the past but I've always declined it because I'm so terrified of being put under and anything messing with my mind...

Yes it works. Yes it has negative cognitive side effects, memory loss, trouble reading, etc. It should be used as a last resort after almost everything else has been tried. Think long and hard about it before doing it. I had it done when depression left me non-functioning, inpatient and not eating, sleeping all day. It is not a procedure to be taken lightly, that's for sure.

I have never had ECT but I hope you get some helpful answers, iPhone. I think Scaredandconfused's answer sounds helpful. I would maybe research it. I'm wondering if the cognitive effects can get better afterwards with some type of therapy. Like with a stroke victim? Best wishes to you.

[Bird Feeder]

Originally Posted by iPhone

I know this topic has been discussed before but I'm curious about how bad the memory loss/confusion was, if there were any negative side effects with the anesthesia and did it work?

It's been recommended to me a few times in the past but I've always declined it because I'm so terrified of being put under and anything messing with my mind...

I have had ECT and continue to have maintenance every 3 weeks. My depression is plagued with suicidal thought and urges and the ECT is a tremendous help with those.

I have never had problems with the anesthesia and in fact go right back to work after my hour of recovery. I get bilateral ECT and I do not have any short term memory loss but I must admit that I do have some long term memory loss. Not the kind like I forget my when my children were young. Just the kind where I bought tickets to a show that we had seen the year before....funny. Usually anything I have forgotten will come back if my memory is jogged.

Anyway it is a treatment of last resort but has helped me tremendously.

I wish you the best and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

[Nocalove]

I have heard it also can cause you to feel flat with no emotion. The other replies seem helpful.

[Nammu]

I had it back in the 80's when they only did in inpatient, suffered no long term effects and it was helpful. But Shortly after was no longer a canadate because I suffered brain trauma in a car accident. I don't know what they say about ect and brain trauma now days but I found latuda which has been a god send so it doesn't come up.

[Bird Feeder]

Originally Posted by Nocalove

I have heard it also can cause you to feel flat with no emotion. The other replies seem helpful.

That hasn't been a problem with me. I am sure people at work would be quite surprised to know that I receive ECT.

[cool09]

My last 2 trials I became confused and even delirious after 5 treatments. I didn't like being knocked-out, either. My first trial was 17 treatments which didn't work.

[Rive1976]

I had 9 treatments and it messed with my long term memory alot. I barelyeven remember being in the hospital for it.

[Wild Coyote]

If you are interested in doing a search you'll find threads on ECT.
Best wishes!

WC

[amicus_curiae]

Wow. I don’t remember the exact number of times that I received ECT treatments over 1+ years. In clusters, like every other day for ten days/five sessions/every other day for sixteen days/eight sessions.

Very in-patient at the time. That was sixteen-to-seventeen-years-ago. I don’t recall memory loss (but I have it now) but I do recall experiencing the ‘flatness’ that was pervasive on my wing. Any outbursts/acting outs were like unexpected presents that made the days more interesting. Otherwise we were like the workers below in Metropolis. Dulled to near death.

I don’t like thinking of those years. But the ECT was helpful. Very helpful. I have never regretted it.

[InfiniteSadness]

do u still need med after ect treatments ??

[InfiniteSadness]

??? anyone .

[cool09]

I was on meds after ECT.

[Bird Feeder]

Originally Posted by InfiniteSadness

??? anyone .

I am sorry I did not respond, I was out of town. Yes, I do still take meds although I do ECT every 2weeks. To be honest I am afraid to stop them because I have been on them for 20+ years. Things are going well now and I don't want to change the routine. My dr. allows me to make the decision on my meds and doesn't really say one way or the other.

Take care

[InfiniteSadness]

what made you try ect. and why every 2 weeks, not months?

[cool09]

Last resort. ECT is done 2-3 x week.

[InfiniteSadness]

And when is it stopped.
after 6 months?

[cool09]

It's stopped when the treatment team starts to see an improvement. That can start around 5 treatments.

[Bird Feeder]

I do ECT every 2 weeks because I have very strong suicidal thoughts that just disrupt my thinking. ECT is the only thing that has helped. The medication helps the overall depression but the suicidal thoughts (and actions) can be life threatening for me. I asked the doctor about clinical trials for Deep Brain Stimulation that I had read about, but he said they were more for OCD and Parkinson. So I will stick with the ECT.

Take care everyone