Ect

[PEJ]

Hello

I have lived with depression for years. Medications aren't working for me, and I am about to undergo 6 to 12 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy.
I would be interested to hear from others who have had ECT, and how effective it was for them.

[uni]

Hello PEJ. Welcome to the forum! I hope you like it here. Asking questions and getting feedback is important, and so is venting and supporting others and even using humour at times, so thanks for participating by requesting feedback.

I don't know a lot about it, except that generally it's tried only if serious and long term depression has been resistant to other treatments, which it sounds like yours has been.

I've known a few people who have had ECT, but haven't done so myself so only have their subjective opinions to share. For a couple of them it was exactly what they needed to alleviate depression and essentially give them back their lives. By the same token there are some who got very little out of it except memory problems. There are no guarantees. I equate it in some ways to trying out different medications: we play with our brains subject to our doctor's best guess.

That's my two cents, but probably not very helpful I'm afraid. I do wish you well with the treatments!

[AJ]

Welcome to the forums PEJ.

[PEJ]

Hi Uni

Thanks for your kind and thoughtful reply.

My psychiatrist tells me that for the 15% or so of the population who don't respond to meds, 85% of them respond well to ECT. I am hoping I am one of the lucky ones. If that doesn't work, I don't know what I'll do. (Maybe there are still a few meds or combos I haven't tried.)

On one reputable website, it said that if both meds and ECT failed, then treatment would be strictly "palliative". That wasn't very encouraging, and I don't know what the writer (a doctor) had in mind for "palliative treatment".

[uni]

I'm hoping you're one of the lucky ones too, PEJ.

It occurs to me that if there are meds or combos you haven't tried, is there a particular reason why not?

As for "palliative treatment", I've never heard that term used in regard to depression. Makes me curious to find out more.

"If that doesn't work, I don't know what I'll do." I can understand your wondering. One thing that's so trying about depression is the waiting to see if something works, and worrying about what if it doesn't. I suppose that's what doctors are for, and second doctors with second opinions, and new medical developments. Still, for now it sounds like the waiting game is where you're at. If some more posting on the forum helps during the wait, go right ahead!

[PEJ]

Hi Uni

I'm not a pharmaceutical expert on all the meds and combos thereof, nor of the dosages. It seems like there is a lot of guess work when it comes to choosing the right med, combo, and dosage for an individual.

From what I've read from reputable sources, there is no reason ECT has to be used only as a last resort, after all attempts at medication have failed. I am ready to give ECT a try.

I don't know exactly what the medical expert had in mind when he recommended "palliative care" for nonresponders. Here is Wikipedia's definintion of palliative care:

Palliative care is a multidisciplinary approach to specialised medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, physical stress, and mental stress of a serious illness—whatever the diagnosis.

I'm hoping the ECT will improve my situation.

PEJ

PEJ

[paul m]

Hello PEJ and if I haven't said it before, welcome to the forum. I haven't had ECT's either, but I know plenty of people that have. From what I've seen most people either require long term on going medication therapy after taking ECT's or more ECT's as their moods fluctuate.

In regards to medication and combo's , you are right, there can be a lot of guesswork and experimentation involved. Some people get lucky and the first thing they try works, most of us don't get that lucky. You probably know the following, but for those who don't, we can take some of the guess work out of treatment by doing self research . For example does my depression appear to have a strong anxiety component . For myself it does, the more anxious I get the more depressed I get. Does the amount of sunlight affect my illness, yes again , so I have to try and make sure that I get outside a lot in the winter or use a sun lamp. Diet , exercise, and life style all affect my periods and depth of my depression.

I can't take anti depressants anymore, they make me manic, so I use a combination of mood stabilizers, antipyschotics(as and when needed) and anti anxiety meds (as needed) as well as diet exercise etc etc to combat my depressive episodes. It took me a very long time to find out what worked and what didn't.

I certainly don't envy you in your continued trials to find a life with less depression. I will wish you good luck and hopefully you will find what works for you soon. Take Care. paul m

[PEJ]

Hi Paul

Thank you for your insightful and helpful comments!
If ECT improves my condition, I know I will need to continue to take meds and possibly also go back for a monthly ECT tune-up.
My depression is also anxiety based. When I was younger, there would be a reason for the anxiety, which would progress into depression. But gradually anxiety would appear without any apparent cause, then the depression. For the last three years, it's been full on anxiety and depression, though my life is fine in all other respects.
May I ask what med(s) you take for anxiety? I know the dangers of benzodiazepines but I do take clonazepam almost daily. Usually 1 mg. On good days, I can go without it. I lead a healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, socialization), but some days can barely drag myself off the couch.
It looks like I will be starting ECT treatments this week, and I'm hoping they will help.
It would be a great relief to have just one day without this constant mental anguish.
PEJ

[paul m]

Hello PEJ. I don't mind any questions that anyone asks, some I just don't answer LOL. However in this case I have no problem with replying to which medication I take for anxiety.

The short answer is Lorazepam. I prefer it over clonazepam as I can take it more when I need it, rather than try make one last a whole day. Clonazepam lasts much longer in our system. The 1/2 life system of lorazepam is 10-20 hrs and for clonazepam 20-50 hrs. Each figure is dependent on a persons own metabolism. 1/2 life is how long it takes your body to get rid of 1/2 of the medication a person just took.

Clonazepam is much better for some people , but my anxieties ebb and flow so I prefer lorazepam. Also I use some alternative methods to cope with my anxieties, such as doing some brisk exercise, watching or listening to some comedy and/or doing a few cognitive behavioural items that helps.

However as I always stress, it's what ever works for you. Good Luck with your ECT's. Take Care. paul m

[PEJ]

Hi Paul

That's interesting. I had no idea clonazepam had such a long half life. It sure feels like it wears off after a few hours. Wouldn't it be lovely if there was a non-addictive anti-anxiety med? (I've tried Buspar and it had no effect).

I do get quite a bit of aerobic exercise every day, and I think if helps my mood somewhat. I go for strenuous walks and work out at the gym, when I'm not comatose on the couch. I even snowboard occasionally but I don't enjoy it like I used to. Now I'm just glad to get it over with. I do maybe half a dozen runs at most and I can't wait to get off the hill.

My involvement with the MH Clubhouse in Nelson, BC, is a big support.

I will be having a consultation with the ECT doctor on Monday, and hopefully start ECT within a day or two.

I am very fortunate to have a loving and supportive wife, family, and Clubhouse friends. It must be really hard for people who don't.

I really appreciate the positive and caring attitude of people like yourself, who post to this forum.

I will let you know how the ECT sessions go ... if I can remember

PEJ

[uni]

Best of luck with the ECT treatments, PEJ!

[Quito]

Hi PEJ;

I received ECT treatment 25 years ago when I was suicidal. Anti-depressant medication wasn't enough and I was raising small children so I went into the hospital. I did have short-term memory loss. I kept forgetting if I was offered a new job and every day after a new ECT treatment, I kept phoning my new boss to see if I got the job. She was really kind and later told me she knew I must be getting treatment, but it was embarrassing. ECT helped my mood for about a year, but after that I struggled on with just anti-depressants.

In my opinion, ECT and anti-depressants are simply two interventions from the medical model. There are other interventions that other models offer us, like psychology - cognitive-behavioral and nutrition - dietary. We all just try to find what works for us. Sometimes it's a combination from all the models. No one can judge you or me, or anyone for trying to find what works, right?

Please let us know how you're doing. I had to laugh at your last statement "if I remember". To this day, I can re-watch movies because I can't remember how they end. ECT releases serotonin in a way anti-depressants can't. It's a boost of serotonin. I'm really hoping it helps you

[PEJ]

Hi Quito

Right now I'm very willing to trade short-term memory loss for short-term mental stability. (I would specifically ask for memory loss of my junior high school years.)
I am new to this forum, but all the replies I have received so far, including yours, have been exceptionally kind and supportive. Thanks so much.
I will keep you posted as to how the ECT goes.
PEJ

[AJ]

I hope all goes well with the ECT for you PEJ. Yes please keep us posted.

[paul m]

Hello PEJ . You said "I would specifically ask for memory loss of my junior high school years." and that gave me the best laugh I've had in couple of days. Sounds like your school yrs were as bad as mine. Thx for posting that comment and Take Care. paul m