I just want to point out briefly that ECT is a brutal, brutal treatment that has long term consequences. It is NOT used often to treat depression- it is a treatment of last resort for severely suicidal and psychotic patients who keep trying to hurt themselves. There is very very little research to suggest that this is effective for treatment of pain- they are mostly case studies of a few individuals, and no large cohort studies. It is also important to note that the ECT in these case studies was administered due to suicidal tendencies, not for pain as the primary purpose. It makes me wonder if the pain reduced because the depression reduced. And, in these cases where pain relief resulted, it was from bilateral ECT, which can have devastating effects on memory and even one's ability to function.

I was hospitalized for a while due to severe depression and PTSD. I watched people go through ECT who were in inpatient with me and decided that I would do everything possible to avoid going through that. I am fortunate that I found an antidepressant that works, and that inpatient and outpatient treatment helped my depression. ECT is not pleasant at all, and I was happy that I did not have to resort to it.

Lynns