ECT didn’t work for me!

[Nutella06]

So I thought this was going to be the ticket to getting my depression under control. Well unfortunately it wasn’t the answer for me. I like and trust the doctors who told me to try it and I was very ambivalent about it as I’m sure everyone undergoing it would be. I was even inspired by the 60 minutes report about ECT showing how advanced it was now and it was the best option for people with major depression. It was an absolute nightmare! I should have stopped after the first session but, I convinced myself it would get better so I went back for a 2nd session and it was even worse than the 1st! Yes the biggest complaint about ECT being memory loss was a big problem for me as well. I wouldn’t recommend anyone with a TBI to ever get ECT... There’s plenty of other options out there and I’m going to give something else a chance especially ketamine and TMS. I think that’s a better option for me. I’m also going to try the sensory deprivation tank. Even though I feel worse, I’m still hopeful and I know something will work for me and give me some clarity so I can get on with my life... Keep the faith... Anyone who has done ECT I would love to here your experience(s) with it?

[Stilltrying_]

I 'm really sorry it didn't work for you.

I've notdone ECT and personally wouldn't recommend as it is still so arbritary which bit of the brain they hit and yes sometimes it works but people often suffer memory loss as well; and often times it doesn't work; though I guess when one is desperate it's worth trying everything and you gave it a go and unfortunatlely it didn't provide the results you needed. That must be particularly devastating as you've got the added memory loss to deal with.

Me too I'd be interested if anyone has had a positive result from ECT. Having said that by it's very nature this forum is populated mainly by people who are still strongly suffering from their mental health problems so you probably wouldn't get a balanced evaluation of ECT from these forum members alone.

I tried lithium once out of desperation. It didn't help me at all but it works wonders for others. Good luck with your future treatments. I hope they are able to offer you some relief. Gemma

[Agora1]

Hi Nutella06, I'm sorry that ECT didn't have any effect on your depression. I had heard

and looked into "sensory deprivation tank but never went through with it. If you do

try that avenue, I would appreciate you sharing your experience. Thank you and good

luck in finding something that will work for you. (it's out there) xx

[Nutella06 in reply to Agora1]

I will post if I do the tank. I would love to give you and others the feedback so that others can try it and hopefully get a positive result from it.

[Agora1 in reply to Nutella06]

Thank you Nutella, it is one of the ways we learn. My best to you. xx

[dore13]

unfortunately, the only way to see if ECT works, is by doing it. That is how treatment goes. Also, Ketamine is not a treatment that you just get, you have to try every med that is on the market for depression before you can try ketamine. Also, Ketamine is only 40 percent effective. I know there are ketamine clinics, but they are very expensive and give minimal doses. I don't know the results of the magnetic therapy(TMS), it seems good, but it is a time commitment. I had ECT and it didn't work for me, it gave me a headache and wiped out my short term memory for a while. I admit, I'd love to meet someone it has worked for. I can't imagine having to do ECT my whole life.