Posted by Bob on October 30, 2003, at 3:51:55
In reply to please post ECT experiences, posted by craig allen on October 29, 2003, at 20:25:25
> after too many failed medication trials to mention, my doctor is recommending outpatient ECT. i have depression - no enjoyment or pleasure in anything, low motivation, sleepy, mostly irritable but sometimes pervasive sadness in place of the irritability. i still go to work every day and manage to function ok on my job. my doctor says that there are no documented cases of memory loss or cognitve impairment as a result of ECT, but after reading previous posts on this board, that's a serious concern of mine. please post experiences with ECT, whether they were good or bad.
In the event that you are a "responder" to ECT, you would have to be prepared to undergo periodic maintenance ECT treatment for the remainder of your life. I don't think there are to many documented cases of someone getting ECT and then needing nothing ever again in the way of treatment. Of course, you could take a med after your course of treatment and see if you respond differently.
The memory issue for ECT is extremely controversial. I would be suprised if there's no cognitive dysfuntion or memory loss whatsoever. What is more likely to me, is that it is quite rare for there to be permanent ill effects. Short term is a different story.
poster:Bob
thread:274810
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031025/msgs/274900.html