bump.

Never had it. I considered it twice, during two depressive episodes that were horrible. I am glad I didn't.

I seriously doubt increased concentration & intelligence though!

Some of our members have had it though. I hope someone replies.

Have you considered every other option?

Scopolamine patches? (I can pm you a study)

N-acetyl Cysteine? (again there is research on this. It is a OTC supplement) This does enhance concentration. It is also used for early cognitive decline (dementia)

Vitamin D??

A very complete physical.

Blue light therapy? A light box can do wonders, especially if there is a seasonal component to your depression.

I am sorry that no one replied. You will get more responses on the main board if you re-post there.

Good luck!!!

btw, most people on the board...do not recommend.

Oh...and I read the Martha Manning book mentioned on the web site years ago. Good read...validates that we have a struggle and it just is that we are differently wired.

Check out the reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/Undercurrents-A-Therapists-Reckoning-Depression/product-reviews/B001PO6B76/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

I had it, it didnt work, wouldn't do it again, regret it.

Yes you will need time off work.

I kept taking meds.

I just quit it less than two months ago. Yes you will need to take off. I had 11 treatments according to my mom that took me. I did it outpatient 3 days a week. You never complete it. Toward the end they put you on maintenance tx like once a week. I did it because the side effect to psych meds cause significant complications in my psyical health. I did have relief from my symptoms briefly and that was great but I completely regret it! I finally stopped tx because of the memory loss. I have 10 y/o twins and could not remember their age or the year they were born. Nor did I have the ability to do the math to figure out their age i thought they were twelve. Ihave a college degree. I could not remember how to run my thermostats and what temp is hot or cold. I'm an RN. I was completley confused. To this day there is so much I don't remember about my life. I also have a hard time doing simple math in my head like doubling a recipe. Now after I quit ect my Dr was furious. He put me on 20mg of latuda which I had previously needed 120mg. I think he did this to purposely cause me to fail. Today I seen him because I'm having some trouble and he told me I'm a bad mother and wife and a burden to my family and my fault I do not feel well because I refuse further ect. He even said I'm in a mixed state but he wants me to go elsewhere for tx. So no I completley regret ect and worry for anyone who chooses it.

I haven't had it either BFour.. If you re post this under the general bipolar category a lot more people will see it...x

Been having ECT for almost six years now. Started when NO meds worked, or they had intolerable side effects. I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for ECT. YES YES YES there are things that are not pleasant. There is some memory loss, but it is transient and not severe, and not any worse than most psych medications that dull our memories and slow our cognitive processes down. I get a maintenance treatment once a month, its like a "booster shot". It is worth not having to deal with weight gain, dopiness, and all the other horrific side effects of all those meds. You can't drive the same day of the treatment because of the anesthesia, but otherwise for me at least, I could run a marathon! And I'm and RN. I don't practice nursing anymore, but I am still alive...... And that in itself is a miracle, considering where I was before.

yet another old post