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