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ECT Update

Posted by Nohope on August 15, 2003, at 3:09:57

I am currently undergoing ECT for major depression and panic disorder and since there seems to be a fair amount of interest in ECT on this board I thought I would document my experience.

Have now had 4 treatments, all right unilateral. Feel better than I did before treatment began, but still not great:
strong depression now moderate depression
agonizing anxiety now moderate anxiety.

Pros so far:

Minimal memory loss (mostly the first 30min after treatment, otherwise essentially zero)

Improved concentration and (dare I say it) improved memory? (So far, on a scale of worst to best for cognitive side effects, I would rate benzos > antidepressants, untreated depression > ECT.

None of the usual medication miseries: insomnia, sedation/activation, restless legs, impotence, dry mouth, weight gain etc.

Cons:

Not working as fast as I would like; after 4 treatments I still only feel, "half well". (How many treatments could I reasonably expect before I feel, "well"?)

Going to the hospital every other day.

Aches and nausea after the treatment. (These side effects are much less now than after my first treatment.)

Stigma. It's not easy to disguise going to the hospital all the time.



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poster:Nohope thread:250975
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/250975.html