ECT - My experience

Juliet · ‎05-03-2014

Hi guys,

I just wanted to come back on the forum and let you know what my experience has been with getting ECT. I know that there were a few people considering the option after talks with their different doctors. Personally I have found ECT to be amazing. It has been nothing but positive for me and I am feeling GREAT!! It took until the ninth treatment to notice a change, and also a change to bilateral ECT, but now that I have, wow, I am very happy with the result. Basically I currently feel 100% better. I don't know if this is going to drop off and I have heard that it can, but I would have no hesitation in undergoing more treatments in the future if so. I am now up to my twelfth treatment.

There are some side effects that I need to mention. I have noticed some difficulty with my memory. I try to keep in mind that my memory was pretty bad just with the depression but I have noticed sometimes I am trying to find an answer to something that I am sure I would know and I just can't get to the answer. For example I was asked the question where I have travelled in my lifetime and I found it difficult to know for sure that I was giving the whole answer! I was thinking, "I know I've been to the UK and Bali and Singapore but is there anywhere else major I have been?" and even though I was Reasonably sure, I wasn't Entirely sure that there wasn't. I know this probably sounds pretty bad but it was one of the few times with problems with my memory and honestly I don't care at all... it is very much worth some memory and maybe some concentration problems to be feeling better than what I was.

Anyway I just wanted to come on and share my story. I know it is not a small decision to go ahead with ECT and I don't want to pretend it is. If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask.

xxxxxx TJ

Neil_1 · ‎09-03-2014

Hi Juliet

Can I just say that I am so grateful and appreciative of you taking the time to relate your own experiences with this. I've got funny comments to make and serious ones so I don't know quite where to start. Ok, comedic first: if this was to happen to me (which I'm thinking more about now) I would be ok with memory side of things because I have kept a daily diary for the past almost 20 years, so I'll be fine with the memory factor. It's worked out really well, cause my memory is crap anyway, so I don't think I'd notice a great deal of difference.

Serious: Juliet, to hear of how you are now and the weight that seems to be lifted from your shoulders and to now be in the mind-set that you are is absolutely wonderful news. I so enjoyed reading how things are changing for you now and I really hope that you can stay around here for a while as well to respond to others. It's a brilliant news story and let's face it, we don't hear enough of them.

Kind regards

Neil

Juliet · ‎09-03-2014

Hi guys,

Just wanted to share some links that I found helpful when I was thinking about ECT. The second one is pretty much exactly the same as what I experienced in Perth also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEZrAGdZ1i8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ct90t_iF6Q

Jo3 · ‎09-03-2014

Hi Juliet

Thanks for sharing this interesting procedure. I did watch the second youtube and it was interesting.

But can I ask - and excuse me for being so naive but was is ECT used for?

Sorry if it's a silly question, I'm just interested.

Jo

Juliet · ‎10-03-2014

Hi Neil,

I know you said it as a (part) joke but I do think your diary would be really helpful! Sounds good haha

and thank you for your other comments 🙂 It would be great for me too if I am able to help anyone by answering questions.

By the way did you get a chance to look at the links at all? 😉

Juliet

Juliet · ‎10-03-2014

Hi Jo,

No it's not a silly question at all! It's not necessarily known about that's for sure 🙂 Pretty much it's a treatment which can be used for people with depression or other mental illness who haven't responded to medication or any therapies. A psychiatrist is able to stick some small pads onto your forehead and while you are asleep (under anaesthetic), emit an electrical current through the brain which causes the body to have a short seizure. (The body doesn't actually move because you will have been given a muscle relaxant so just the toes will twitch a bit). Somehow this seizure seems to cause changes in a persons brain chemistry and is able to improve their depression. Usually it takes a few treatments to see a change (somewhere from 6-12, in my case 9).

I hope this helps to explain it a bit. Let me know any more questions.

Juliet

Jo3 · ‎10-03-2014

Hi Juliet

Thanks for explaining what ECT is used for.

Wishing you all the best

Jo

Janel · ‎29-02-2016

Hi Juliet

I also want to get ect done at Perth clinic, however I find alot of psychiatrics are cold hearted and just throw meds when I know it requires my brain to be reprogrammed. Which psychiatric did you see for your referral I'm so over getting a referral and being knocked back time and time again. Thanks 🙂

Nola · ‎30-10-2017

Hello I just read your review

Found it positive My mum is undergoing this treatment and it will be her 2nd one

I found her very much back to her old self but it takes time and more treatment I was a bit scared to think shock waves to the brain arghhh but if it takes a person to be well again then yes

I don't want her to relapse so scared but I guess keeping up with the medication and regular check ups she'll be fine she's 70 only young love her dearly

H2Ohog · ‎01-05-2018

Hi all! I'm reading and responding to this as I rest after my 6th ECT treatment this morning. This is my first experience in a mental health facility and with ECT so I'm happy to answer any questions. I have, so far, found the treatment way less scary than anticipated. Results are favourable but I have been advised that the full benefits are still to come. My memory wasn't great to begin with, but I haven't noticed it becoming worse either. The treatments are quick, painless and if anaesthetic doesn't trouble you, then the treatment is a breeze. Feel free to fire questions at me & I'll try to answer. I found it hard to get solid information prior to beginning my treatment plan so I'm happy to help.

gnomadicmind · ‎27-05-2018

Hello Juliet

Thanks for sharing your amazing story. Also thanks to everyone else who has been brave enough to share.

Ive been on meds for over 20 years. I lost my husband last year due to a long horrendous illness. I think that the grief has been dealt with but I’m at the point now where I can see that I have to get my depression sorted to continue living.

Meds haven’t helped, I feel such a deep despair when I think of the future. I think ECT is now my only opinion as meds haven’t helped.

I have had TMS about ten years ago. 20 sessions then maintenance but that didn’t seem to work.

How do people cope when they go off their meds at the same time as having ECT. Surely going off the meds would make one feel pretty crappy and cloud whether the ECT is working?

I’d be most grateful for anyone’s advice. 🙂