Posted by bleauberry on November 28, 2008, at 9:57:21
In reply to Need ECT advice from someone who had it., posted by MattSanz on November 27, 2008, at 0:55:36
I did not feel better until treatment #12. It lasted 2 days and then I was in an ambulance trying to commit suicide.
I do not suggest ECT. Sure there are good experiences, but the hype about its effectiveness is dramatically inaccurate. Not to mention a very high relapse rate. Side effects. Well, how about this. I have lived in a very small town with one main street for over a decade. After treatment #12, I had to print out a map on mapquest to know which side street to turn on to get to my house. I did not recognize anything. People I have known for years, I cannot remember their names. Three months of memory are totally gone, even two years later, and cognitive function is about 70% of what was prior to ECT. Maybe not bad trade-offs for a complete cure. But, well, it wasn't even close.
The final bill was over $20,000. Even with good insurance, the copay will be a lot of whatever cash you can get your hands on.
My feeling is that there are always other meds, more creative meds, or combinations, that have not be considered. I see ECT as an escape for doctors not admitting that they have been non-creative with the meds at their disposal, or that they have continuously gambled on the wrong ones.
I have seen a couple people here that claimed to do well on ECT. I have seen success stories elsewhere also. Negative stories seem to abound though. Mine is one of them. Personally, I would not wish ECT upon anyone. There are things you haven't tried. Either things from the classes of meds that fit your supposed diagnosis, or other psychoactive meds not necessarily thought of for your diagnosis. I mean, simple things like Provigil+SSRI, Ritalin+SSRI, Prozac+Zyprexa, Parnate, Nardil, Lexapro+Abilify, any combo of antidepressant+antipsychotic+stimulant. When someone says "I've tried everything, there is nothing left", when asked for a list of what they have tried it becomes obvious they have missed out on many of the successful monotherapies or combinations.
Anyway, your life, your choice. You asked for advice on ECT from someone who has had it, so now you have it. I hope you get some more encouraging ones though.
I fully understand and appreciate where you are right now.
> Hi,
> I'm going to be starting ECT treatments most likely next week and I was wondering, from those who have had it done, how many treatments did it take for you to feel any improvement? My doctor said after the 4th session I should start to feel better, but I was just wondering what people's own experiences were who have had it done. Thanks!
>
> -Matt
poster:bleauberry
thread:865444
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081123/msgs/865571.html