Electroconvulsive Therapy
 

Hi,

I'm still fairly new to this forum but need some help please. I'm bipolar and one of my treatments is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). I usually go every two weeks but did my last two a week apart to help deal with my depression. It made me really foggy brained and even more issues with my memory.

Anyway, long story short - I go again this Friday 8/20 and it's been three weeks this time. I'm very nervous. I hate ECT! I get sick from it and am in bed the whole day. Can't keep anything down...blah, blah, blah not going to bore you with more of that. The bottom line is that they help. Especially with my suicidal thoughts.

Does anyone else out there do ECT?

Debbie

Hi, Debbie,

I've not been through ECT.
That's good that it has been helping you.

'Sending you hugs. :hug: :hug: :hug:

Mari

Hi Debbie

sorry i don't have personal experience with ECT either... glad it helps but i am sorry it is so difficult. we had another poster who has been through it, but she has been very physically ill the past year so she hasn't been around much. i hope someone else will come along to answer you.

you can tell us about it if you want to vent. we can listen. :hug:

~ waves ~

no esperience here, sounds awful but am glad it is helping. have you ever heard of a VNS (vegas nerve stimulant i think) implant, works for some to help with the suicidal feelings.
bizi

Thank you all for your support. It does help. I really wish I could find someone to talk with who has had experience with ECT though. But, I am truly grateful for you all!

Debbie

Hi Debbie

i know. i wish you could find someone too.

have you done any reading on it? i can try to find you some resources...

if there are specific questions you have about the experience, effects, or side effects, maybe we could help you try to find answers?

:hug:

~ waves ~

Hi Waves,

Thank you again - you're great! I've actually done quite a bit of reading on it and been doing it since November so am pretty savy about the process, side effects, etc. What I was really hoping was to find someone who experiences this too so we can support one another.

Debbie

you can try our parent forum at psych central, we fall under their umbrella and we are much smaller than they are... so you may have much luck over there, you will have to reregister there but the process is the same very simple to be a member.
bizi
http://forums.psychcentral.com

Yes, I can appreciate that Debbie. Bizi has a good idea there. good luck, i hope you do manage to find someone! :hug:

~ waves ~