I am sorry I have not posted in such a long time and did not respond to the thread. I had ECT two years ago, seven unilateral treatments, and they did me in. I just finished the neuropsychologial testing --I had to start over with another neuropsychologist because of some problems with the testing with the guy I originally saw. I have not seen the report yet, but he told me I have significant impairments with some things like word retrieval. Sometimes I feel really dumb because of this. The neurologist helped me to understand what happened to me due to ECT. He also said that things like Alzheimers can be brought on by assaults to the brain including ECT. I do not have a neurodegenerative disorder for which I am glad. He also explained how some of my symptoms are due to the Chiari I malformation and how it was no good for me to have done ECT with this. It made things worse with the Chiari. I am supposed to see a neurosurgeon, but I have been dragging my feet with this. I will try to be better about posting.

Zeba

I think reading these posts lets us know that there are potential difficult side effects to this treatment and everyone needs to be made aware of this. So, if your doctor suggests this treatment...it would be wise to ask. I'm sure this treatment has helped folks...so keep in mind that everyone is different. Not everyone gets the same side effects, etc.

One thing I thought about was the possible use of medications for Alzheimers to treat memory loss. Even if you don't have Alzheimers techinically, perhaps there is a chance that the medicine would help. I'm thinking it is worth experimenting with it...one would have to ask their doctor. Some medicines to ask about would be Aricept and Namenda. Given what we already know about possible medication problems...perhaps a small dosage is best.

I also think, even if it only helps in a small way, it would still be beneficial to try eating properly, light to moderate exericse and vitamins, proper rest and avoiding dehydration. Of course with that last one...water is always best. I also really like what BMW said...relaxing music...and giving the body time to heal. It is amazing what the body can do when we give it a chance to heal...might be a little...might take a long time....but it's good to do what we can to help.

This is a tough situation...no doubt. Perhaps some medication if warranted, some good health habits, combined with positive thinking and time...will really make changes. I've seen big things happen for others in difficult situations with this combination.

Wishing those affected by this better health......better memory.

My neurologist would not prescribe any of the drugs used for Alzheimers as he said it is not FDA approved for anyone except people with Alzheimers. One of his specialty areas is memory disorders and in particular Alzheimers. I know some people who had ECT have psychiatrists who have prescribed it even for when they are getting ECT. I don't know if it really works. I decided to go the Vitamin route and take extra Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12. My neurologist also said exercise as he said it helps get more blood to the brain. He said reseach shows that Alzheimers patients who take meds do better, but with one group where they added arobic exercies daily, those people did even better. He said exercise helped to consolidate brain connections better than the meds. So, I need to make a committment to walk every day and then maybe bike ride as the weather improves.

I totally agree about the walking and taking the B vitamins to support memory. In addition, I would think Fish Oil would be very important.
There is a supplement called Phophatidine Serine (sp?). It is abbreviated as "PS." This supplement is famous for helping folks with memory. My guess is if you did all these things...B vitamins, Fish Oil, walking daily plus a PS tablet...your memory would be better in a few weeks.

What if ECT doesn't work?
 

My husband has been in a severe depressive episode for almost 4 years. His disease appears to be resistant to all medications. We have started ECT treatments--he has had 11 so far. We had to slow down the schedule, he could only tolerate one treatment per week. We have not seen a lot of progress....what's next? What other options do we have? I am being told that 'death' or suicide are likely outcomes...I am having a hard time accepting that.

Hello,
It seems that after that many treatments, you might have noticed at least a little improvement.
Have a talk with the psychiatrist performing the ECT about what kind he is using. Bilateral? Unilateral?

I'm sorry to jump in here with what may be a dumb question, but have your husband's psychiatrists tried traditional bipolar medications?

Sometimes after three anti-depressants fail to help, mood stabilizers can help.

You could try reading about "Soft Bipolar."
http://www.psycheducation.org/depres...osis.html#soft


List of common mood stabilzers. There are others beyond this list:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depres...tabilizers.htm

One of the best things to break up a non-major depressive episode is exercise. Does he walk or do any other kind of work out routine? Some people stay alive through their exercise programs.

What is his sleep schedule like?

Also look at hypnosis and /or acupuncture.

How about Fish Oil?
I get Omega Brite shipped to me from on-line.

I remember hearing that the younger someone is, the more likely it is that they can get pulled out of the depression with our tools available to us at this time.

A work friend of mine who was in his late 50s was given a really low chance of success via meds and only a slightly better chance with with ECT. He choose the ECT.


M.

If ECT has not worked so far after 11 treatments, it is likely it is not going to work. I did not get better after 7 and quit because I just did not want more damage. I had already started to notice problems after number 6.

I saw my PCP today, and he thought Aricpet might be worth a try. I am sort of scared to try it. What if I try it and then quit. Will my memory get worse after I quit? Also, he said research shows now that extra B6 can cause permanent brain damage for some people. So I quit the b6 but still take the B12.

I would challenge that doctor on that statement! Make him prove it and doses need to cause it.

One cannot make serotonin without B6. The P5P version is better since some people cannot take pyridoxine B6 and convert it to the active form.

Here is a paper showing B6 is protective:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...ubmed_RVDocSum

I have a thread here discussing the potential toxicities of very high dose B6:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread30724.html

The actual number of proven B6 toxicities is very very small..over many many years, and go back to when 500mg a day was used for PMS. (no longer recommended).

Hi I went through the same thing. And still am I cant help my 10 year old withhis homework or really remember anything I missplace everything, this has really effected my self esteem. I wasnt told of the side effects either they told me the memory would come back I cant remember my childrens birthdays at that time or anything its like those months didnt exist to me but they did to my family,they hated to see me like that but I was in such desperate need and still am. I am so tired of being passed around hospitalized suicide attempts i am desperate for help. How are you know are you feeling better now?

Thank You to JH for important information!
 

Dear JH, I wish I could be more help, but I am avidly interested in your article because my psychiatrist is strongly recommending ECT. I live alone, and so do not have to boil water for pasta [!], but I have an elderly cat that I must take care of and wonder if I would be able to do that. My cognitive skills have regressed enough as it is. I don't blame you for being angry about not being given all the information. If it will reduce your anger, you might think about this: mental health professionals, to include psychiatrists, generally have to be in fairly good mental health to hold their demanding jobs. As a result, all they can actually know about mental or affective illness is what they have studied in books, again written largely by professionals, not patients. It may be somewhat easier for a medical Dr. to understand medical conditions and treatments that he has not experienced, as these things can be viewed, by MRI or otherwise. Psychiatric professionals do not have the ability to "see" the conditions they are treating or the results of the treatment. Instead, those who need information get its from people like you, with the experience and the writing and language skills to communicate that experience. Mental health professionals cannot essentially understand what it is that they are treating. I WILL say that they should be doing their research through reading articles like yours! I think the brain rewires itself in time, and I once worked with a 70 y/o lady who had had a lobotomy, with her memory and skills subsequently restored. ~hugs, very best of luck, and keep posting. You are very helpful to many of us, and your cognitive and other skills are very adequate to this mission! billie