Big hug for you sweetie....I've never had it however I have heard some good reports on it... Some people on here have had it on a fairly regular basis with good effects....x

Thanks SunCloud for the input, thats encouraging.

I'm sorry things are tough right now. My doc suggested it and gave me a book called 'Shocked' to read. I didn't find it all that informative. But the author (Kitty Dukakis) found it critical to her recovery and has maintenance. She never mentions SI. I decoded against it because I felt I hadn't exahusted other possibilities, so I don't know.

Here's what I know:

There are people on here who swear by it - it has changed their lives.

It can cause some pretty significant memory issues, along with other effects like that

It does not work immediately. One usually has 8-10 treatments, and then the change comes very slowly! BUT if you keep up with the maintenance treatments, many say it's very helpful.

No first hand experience though. Sorry.

Sadie thats good info. My pdoc said it would take about 6 treatments to really notice some benefit but he also said that after the first couple there should be some indications that its working. He also said that you lose some memory of what happened just before and just after the treatment. He likened it to drinking too much and blacking out. Don't know if that makes me feel better or not. Anyway, thanks for the info.

Pagan, I only know of one person that's had it and they sweared by it but did say they had some memory loss. I personally am just too chicken. If I had a guarantee that it would work without bad side effects ofc I would do it. Hopefully some people here who's had it will check in later and see your post. Let us know if you decide to do it. HUGS!!

You can end up with a bad headache but uf you tell then there is stuff they can add to the anesthesia to help, it worked my first time with 13 treatments but I didn't keep up the maintenance. Some mild memory loss, nothing major for me

Sorry but this will not be encouraging just my opinion. ECT works by removing current memory and sometimes memories of your past, good or bad. Sometimes temporary sometimes permanent memory loss. You wake after treatment with severe head pain and are given narcotics. You may not recognize a spouse or even remember the birth of a child permanently. The post treatment symptoms are identical to a closed head injury. You will become dazed,confused and giddy but not remember why you were even depressed to begin with. This wears off after 4-8 weeks and your original symptoms will return. Generally after 4 weeks of treatments you will become addicted to the anesthesia/narcotic combo. They will then encourage you to do maintenance ECT and your body will scream 'yes!' because you have become dependent on the anesthesia and narcotics for temporary relief from the severe depression.
Ask your doctor what the 'mechanism of action' (how EXACTLY does ECT help) associated with ECT, what makes it effective and he will not be able to answer you or be unclear. They know it works through brain damage but will hide this info from you. In the docs eyes an electric lobotomy is better than a suicide. are they right? Perhaps for some. Do your research first. You get to choose if life with drain damage is better than a life with mood swings. Do what you need to to survive but try to choose wisely. Ask the doc, could this treatment cause you to develop a seizure disorder later down the road?..I personally know it can.

So sorry you are severely depressed and hope you can find a healthier alternative very soon. kind regards and hugs-

Thanks topspeed, Ive heard some good and not so good things about ECT so far and you gave me a lot of good questions to ask. It sounds like you are talking from personal experience. Is that correct? If I do go for this consult I will ask a lot of questions and I will do as much research as possible to make the right choice. I felt like my pdoc was being honest about what he knew about it and I didn't feel like he was pressuring me to do it. I just think he wants me to be aware of other treatment options that I could benefit from.

I'm like Nester I'm too afraid to try it. I don't know anyone personally but there is a p doc in the same practice as mine who swears by it and she gets good results from it.

I know for me, once meds become ineffective - I've done all the research now, and have made my decision now - hopefully years before they peel me off the wall with no ideas LOL

I believe in make your decision when in a better place, so when a mess you have them ready.....

In my research - people that did no do well HATE and scream it from the rafters every time its mentioned.

The people it worked for - quietly get a better life.

I know way more success stories than horror. Again, its my next step......

((((BIG HUG))))) its sucks making big decisions, but we are responsible for our feelings, not pdoc or loved ones - they can help, but its all our choices, rewards and consequences : )

Thanks Gina for your thoughts and comments. I always thought of it as a last resort but I don't know. I feel that theres meds I haven't tried that may help too but who the fuck knows. Maybe this is the next best step for me. Lots to think about and a big decision it is so I will do my research and make the best decision I can. By the way.its really nice to see you.

Thank you so much!!!! I am really connecting and smiling, its been a long time....

Ok, since I"m doing "Ok" let me share another anecdote with you.

I used to think going inpatient was last choice - till I went last time, going inpatient has now been moved to the middle of the list of tools/resources.... In four days, removing one drug and doubling another improved my life 100% - a new doctor with the abilities to make quick changes - 4 days!!!!!! Never on the bottom again. I've heard people with ECT go back for updates, or series again - they want to function and live, not suffer.

The first day in the hospital, in group - a guy was asked how his ECT went this morning.... He said good, the only thing he could not remember was his girlfriends telephone number, and he remembered it now 5 or 6 hours later....

The next morning, while I"m trying to beg coffee off non coffee drinkers at breakfast - while I'm sitting there he was rolled in on a gurney/bed? No one waved or spoke......

In 3 minutes he was sitting next to me, his second treatment/(Zap for those of us with humor) He was dressed and starting to eat, and being me - I said "What is your girlfriends telephone number?" He thought and Said it - 10 minutes after treatment, he is eating and laughing and noticing a big difference...

What a great thing for me to see with my issues!!!! Just want to give you some more things to chew on : )

Those are some real good things to chew on Gina. Thanks for sharing that with me. It sounds like the memory loss wasn't permanent for this guy. Thats encouraging. Once again Gina thanks for the input.

I sent you an email but just for the record, ECT changed my life and I believe I would be inpatient right now if it were not for the maintenance treatments I have been doing for the last couple of months. Everyone has a different experience with it and I guess to be honest it doesn't work for everyone, but when nothing else is really working, it is worth trying. I haven't had any memory problems that don't pass within a day after treatment. Best of luck to you and I hope you will keep me posted. :)