Posted by Crazy Horse on April 26, 2006, at 10:21:05
In reply to Re: ECT, posted by Caedmon on April 24, 2006, at 20:16:09
> It sounds like an interesting program.
>
> >>But there are risks; for one, nearly everyone experiences memory loss.>>
>
> I think that the memory loss is variable depending on unilateral v. bilateral ECT as well as length of treatment. Also individual variation. I don't know this for sure but I am wondering how much the depression itself, and/or the anesthetics, could also play a role in memory problems. <shrug>
>
> - CMy depression got HORRIBLE in 1997, nothing worked for me, not even MAOI's, I was very suicidal, my wife was pregnant with our first child, so i had to try something to get better.
Long story short. I was admitted to a large hosp. in Seattle, Wa. and was there for 2.5 mos. I had a total of 24 ECT treatments, i hated them...after a treatment you feel like you've been hit by a truck, one horrible headache!! Anyway, they did help me, I did suffer some memory loss ( mostly stuff that happened prior to hospitalization..sh*t i didn't want to remember anyway) Long term memory loss..no not for me, no cognitive impairment at all. I did come home semi-well, and on a new antidepressent cocktail improved steadily. Would i do it again....NO, at least not unless I absolutely had no other alternatives. Would i recommend it to someone else? If they were horribly depressed, suicidal and nothing was helping them last resort type of thing..YES.
Monte
poster:Crazy Horse
thread:636669
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060423/msgs/637196.html