received ECT... how to recover from the negative effects?

Zeba · 07-20-2009, 01:45 AM

I have now started rehab for the cognitive impairments I have. I have gone twice and am first listneing to an audio version of a book to see if I remember; I did okay, and so next was has been to listen to the audio version while following along with reading the book. That was really hard. I tried just reading outloud, and that did not work well.

Zeba

Zeba · 07-20-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denise Diaz

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?

I have had the same problems. I have word retrieval and word fluency problems plus I cannot read and remember what I read. My spelling is still crap. Misplacing things is better only because I make a point of putting things in a certain place and no where else. I cannot read and retain what I read for more than a day or two. Used to be five minutes. I had ECT back in early 2007. I also have a lot of visual spatial problems. I could go on;

What you need is neuropsychological testing which should give some information about what you need in terms of rehab. I am now working with my therapist but also with a rehab psychologist who is also a neuropsychologist.

Some things got better over time but not everything. This is where rehab can be helpful. Some of my memories are gone likely for good, but some are retrievable according to the rehab doc.

Zeba

Abbie · 07-21-2009, 07:43 PM

Hi Christineonthescene!!!

Welcome to NT!

I was recently talking with my pshyciatrist... we were talking about Deep Brain Stimulation. He said it may be worth checking into as he has heard some really good results with Depression patients who were getting zero relief from medicines and ECT.

I really haven't checked into it as of yet...

It may be worth asking your hubby's doctor.

I sincerely wish you and your hubby the best. It can be hard living with BiPolar and the Depression and Mania that goes along with it. I hope you are able to find something that relieves your hubby of his depression.

Abbie
Diagnosed---BiPolar with rapid cycling and mixed states one year ago.

Zeba · 07-23-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billie

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

I started to reply and lost the post. I am a MH professional who had ECT. I had 7 RUL treatments, twice per week at my insistance, but they did 5 times the seizure threshold level. I quit before they wanted me to as I was becoming extremely confused and disoriented. Bull that any doctor says they would do ECT if they needed it. I have been diagnosed by the neurologist and neuropsychologist with ECT cognitive decline, and I am now in rehab. This is no laughing matter. You could end up worse. It's a crap shoot. My advice-if you can get by without it, don't do it. Exercise by going for walks, etc. and do whatever it takes to stay on top of things.

Zeba

billie · 07-29-2009, 05:27 PM

JH, I am so sorry for what you are continuing to go through and so grateful for this information your posted, as my doctor is insisting on ECT. I'm glad that are have a place to live where you can work, be retrained to some extent and have some help and companionship. I would be all alone with a cat to take care of after the ECT. Can't very well give away a 13 y/o cat companion. Like some of the others, I think time will provide some answers and help for you, and it is so wonderful that you can work. I have ST memory problems to begin with and can't boil pasta to begin with, come to think of it! I know that feeling like a different and less capable person must be traumatic for you. But I'll bet you are well liked, loved, and the same person on the outside and in the heart!

billie

roadracer · 07-29-2009, 09:57 PM

I have never had any treatment like that, but I have problems with memory (and am HF autism), but to help the memory problems you might want to look up 'executive functioning' and read some about that. There are all kinds of sites that talk about ways to deal with it and things you can do to get better. Here is one website that has some good ideas that have helped me
http://thiswayoflife.org/ef.html

Jaspar · 07-30-2009, 06:14 PM

So sad. Family member (in-law) received ECT for naught. Never the same again. And in the end it turned out that extra nutrition was probably all that was needed since this was right after childbirth. In retrospect seems barbaric. Lifesaver for some, but they don't know who, do they?

You have some good advice here in other posts. Treat like brain damage and get occupational therapy. Get plenty of sleep. Lots of fluids. Good nutrition. Maybe take fish oil. And choline. And whatever else helps brain function.

Zeba · 11-26-2009, 02:32 AM

I had to quit my rehab prematurely due to therapist illness. So now I have to find someone new. I am still having visual-spatial and visual-perceptal problems and some right side neglect as well as word finding difficulties and short term memory,

kensher93535 · 08-10-2010, 05:55 PM

I have a friend who is suffering from the effects of ECT treatments. Medications prescribed has not helped. She says her feelings go beyond what we might view as depression symptoms. She has lost all incentives to do anything. Even simple things like going to the bath room. She says that her feelings are different from what she has felt in depression. Please advise a doctor I can talk with, or someone who has felt similar symptoms. Ken

Quote:

Originally Posted by jh8899

About two years ago i received a ECT and clozeral combination for a serious depression i was experiencing. as a result i was totally out of it for months i seemed to appear better at time cause of this sort of artificial high that these "treatments" created. i have lost a ton of memory (long term-short term) and simple everyday tasks such as boiling water for pasta i have found to be extremely difficult since the treatment--- loss of cognitive skills too. strangely enough i feel empty headed (no conscious thoughts running through my head) and i have lost the ability to visualize images in my head ( i thought in pictures) --- i feel like a totally different person and this is very stressful to me. it also angers me that i wasn't given all the info on the risks.

if anyone has experienced ECT and have had similar side effects or has any advise on how i can recover please comment.... thanks...

pninn · 11-12-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denise Diaz

well I still have memory loss and still dont feel well. I am worse off now than i was before the ect. i really think people should look at the pros and cons of ect first before doing it. its hard to function on a daily basis after my ect. and it is even harder to remember special events such as my kids birthdays. so if i had a chance to do it all over again i would pass on ect

Yes, you're absolutely right. If you want to look at the cons, a good site I've found is:** Best of luck!

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