Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Some people are suprised to learn that I had ECT (Electroconvulsive treatment). It was the end of 2001 (I think)
I was not hospitalized - ever for my depression. I was lucky. My psychiatrist is a friend of mine and did not want me there. Besides, I was the Computer Information Manager for the hospital (and other institutions owned by the conglomeration) and I did not want people I worked with to know I was there - even though you think your medical information is private - when you work for a hospital, word like that gets around) and I did not want the people seeing how pitiful I was. We arranged for my care to be done at home.
But I did not get better on medication. Nothing was working. I was getting desparate.. suicidal. I did some research and asked my doctor about ECT. He said some patients get better from it, it shocks their brain back into working form..not perfect, but better. I sought out different doctors opinions.. most advised me to try it.
I had 14 treatments. I went to a hospital out of town - a large, very reputable one - for two or three days a week. I arrived in the morning. I was put in a little area like an emergency room, and told to take off my top and put on a johnny. I couldn't wear earings or a necklace. They wheeled me into a small room where they gave me a sedative to put me to sleep. I woke up back in my "emergency room area". After a while, I was able to get dressed and go home.
I don't remember much else... I didn't remember how many treatments I had or how many a week I had. I just had to ask my husband. I don't remember how I felt after, I vaguely remember the ride home. Somethings happend during that time and after I don't remember.. A close friend died 3 months after the treatments. Six months later I didn't remember it and cried all over again.
My psychiatrist tells me I was better for a while. I don't remember. I now have a bad memory. I used to have a very good memory. I keep a tab open on my computer because I can't remember how to spell words quite often.
I made my psychiatrist and my husband promise that they will never let anyone give me ECT again unless I have been curled up in a ball and unresponsive for a month or more.,,
I don't recommend it...
I was not hospitalized - ever for my depression. I was lucky. My psychiatrist is a friend of mine and did not want me there. Besides, I was the Computer Information Manager for the hospital (and other institutions owned by the conglomeration) and I did not want people I worked with to know I was there - even though you think your medical information is private - when you work for a hospital, word like that gets around) and I did not want the people seeing how pitiful I was. We arranged for my care to be done at home.
But I did not get better on medication. Nothing was working. I was getting desparate.. suicidal. I did some research and asked my doctor about ECT. He said some patients get better from it, it shocks their brain back into working form..not perfect, but better. I sought out different doctors opinions.. most advised me to try it.
I had 14 treatments. I went to a hospital out of town - a large, very reputable one - for two or three days a week. I arrived in the morning. I was put in a little area like an emergency room, and told to take off my top and put on a johnny. I couldn't wear earings or a necklace. They wheeled me into a small room where they gave me a sedative to put me to sleep. I woke up back in my "emergency room area". After a while, I was able to get dressed and go home.
I don't remember much else... I didn't remember how many treatments I had or how many a week I had. I just had to ask my husband. I don't remember how I felt after, I vaguely remember the ride home. Somethings happend during that time and after I don't remember.. A close friend died 3 months after the treatments. Six months later I didn't remember it and cried all over again.
My psychiatrist tells me I was better for a while. I don't remember. I now have a bad memory. I used to have a very good memory. I keep a tab open on my computer because I can't remember how to spell words quite often.
I made my psychiatrist and my husband promise that they will never let anyone give me ECT again unless I have been curled up in a ball and unresponsive for a month or more.,,
I don't recommend it...
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
Not to say it hasn't contributed, just wondering.
From what I've read it is a lifesaver for some and not so good for others. Like all treatments, weigh the good with the bad.
I hope you wont' have to do it again. Thanks for sharing that, not often we here about experiences with ECT.
I have also read that over recent years it has been highly modified .. but don't know if its success rate has improved or not.
As you probably know, there is a similar treatment that uses magnetism instead of electricity .. TMS and it MAY have a much greater success rate than ECT .. the (limited) research I have done indicates that is true.
When I was in hospital several years ago many doctors tried to push ECT on me, without even understanding my diagnosis or trying other options first.
Seeing first hand what people looked like coming back after having the treatments when I was on the unit was what told me I would never have it done. They came back looking like a lost child, empty eyes, fetal, not knowing what had just happened.
I would never recommend it, even as a last resort, the permenant negative results should not even be classified as "side effects", more like your permenatly screwed.
thats just me. probably explains my defenseiveness towards my doctor when he asks about my medication
I'm so sorry for all this pain you've gone through. And I know how strange and scary it can be when you forget big chunks of your past. I started forgetting things about 3 years ago, after my worst break to date. It's an uneasy feeling when people talk about you and you have no memory of it. (hugs)