ECT? Keen for peoples lived experiences

[Pollymandu]

I’ve been referred for ECT and keen to hear from people who’ve had the treatment or in the process and how it was/is for you.

The overall result - good bad or neutral? If there’s any good or bad things you experienced. Any tips? Would you do it again if needed?

Any feedback would be gratefully received

🧡

[Downinil]

Hi Pollymandu! I’ve had ECT years ago. Actually decades ago. My experience was when I was picked up by my mother afterward I remember a deep calm pleasant mood. At the time I was enjoying her company. I had many many series of them but one side effect for me was amnesia. I was at home with my husband who has now passed so perhaps the situations in my life at that time played a roll in my feelings of peace. Before trying ECT I was a wreck. Nervous with anxiety that I’d power walk for hours to relieve the anxiety. I was power walking so much I had to be treated with max dose Naproxen and once in a while transfix for the pain. It was funny, my husband would get phone called from me as I’d get lost in our city which we had lived in for 8 or more years with me asking for directions home on a regular basis but it was nice renting the same movies over because it was like watching them for the first time. I was able to go back to work part time but situations at work led me to resign. I’m now retired. Only in my fifties but retired. I hope this has given you an idea of how it helped me. As you must be aware of already, every persons body chemistry and functions are unique so just because I had that result doesn’t necessarily mean you will. Good luck with your journey on the road to recovery!

[Pollymandu in reply to Downinil]

Thanks so much for your reply Downinil.

It’s great to read about your experience and I’m so pleased it was clearly life changing for you.

I agree, everyone will have their own experience of any form of therapy so I have to go into this knowing my outcomes could be very different. But hearing that others have had this treatment and have gained a handle on life again is really valuable.

Again, thanks for replying 😊

[Livetorunruntolive]

I had ECT in 2005 and it worked very well. I was in the hospital right before and in real bad shape. After about 16 years I had another episode and was hospitalized. I desperately wanted ECT. In early 2023 I got it and nothing. I did have memory loss issues both times. I definitely would try it again but with a different electrode placement. I wish you the best

[April2024 in reply to Livetorunruntolive]

How bad was the memory loss? Does it hurt? Do you have to be hospitalized?

[Livetorunruntolive]

does not hurt - they knock you at. Most places do ECT outpatient. It does not work with only 1 or 2 treatments. I started to really feel better after about 6, but I had a total of 14 treatments. Your doc determines all this. I had 3 treatments a week which I think is the standard. I would definitely research - I think it would make you more comfortable. I realize it is a big decision and There is no perfect depression treatment that is 100 percent guaranteed. Blessings

[Pollymandu in reply to Livetorunruntolive]

Thanks for your reply. I’m not so worried about the actual process as I know that’s done within pretty strict terms.

Really keen to know how people felt afterwards, if was a ‘success’ in your terms or even helpful or not.

I also have a comorbid issue that is going to complicate things slightly but won’t make it impossible.

Also I guess if it was helpful, did you stay well afterwards or did you need maintenance treatments?

Lol, thinking of all these things now rather than in original post…