Posted by Nohope on August 10, 2003, at 4:00:02
I've had two ECT treatments for my major depression + panic disorder. I don't know if many others out there have the same dx, but I thought I might document my limited experience with ECT so far so that others might benefit.
ECT electrode placement: right unilateral. My pdoc tried RUL first to try and spare my memory. He said afterwards there was no need to switch to bilateral because I had very "good quality" seizures - as good as normally seen with bilateral. Therefore I will be keeping RUL.
Effect on memory: pretty minimal. Maybe a little more absent minded, but difficult to say. I'm very pleased with this aspect - but then again I've only had two treatments. So far, medications considerably worse than ECT for memory.
Effect on depression: a small but noticable effect after two treatments. Still very depressed.
Effect on panic/anxiety: seems to help panic attacks but *very* strong generalized anxiety remains. It is a very "activating" type of treatment and leaves me pretty wired afterwards. Strangely, considerably less Xanax needed to bring relief than before. Maybe the rumors about ECT making you less resistant to medication is true? (blood brain barrier effect?)
Other effects: very sore muscles. Those seizures really make your muscles contract, leaving you quite sore - I wasn't really aware of that.
Temporary impotence: whether from the anaesthetic or seizure, I am impotent for a couple of days after a treatment, but this does seem to go. (I was always vulnerable to impotence from medication.)Stigma: the close friends I have confided in have been very supportive (I knew I could count on them). So far they are more curious than anything else. (One of my friends thought it was "cool" - I assured him that it was not.)
About all that comes to mind for now. Feel free to ask questions. If people are interested I will periodically update my experience.
(almost) Nohope
poster:Nohope
thread:249740
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030807/msgs/249740.html