Famous shock patients
Confirmed:
Arthur Alexander, Canadian singer
Louis Althusser, French philosopher
Sir Malcolm Arnold, British composer
Antonin Artaud, French playwright and actor
Clara Bow, American actress
Richard Brautigan, American poet
Dick Cavett, American talk show host
Kitty Dukakis, wife of politician Michael Dukakis
Thomas Eagleton, former US Senator from Missouri
Ralph Ellison, American actor
Roky Erickson, American rocker
Frances Farmer, American actress
Janet Frame, New Zealand writer
Connie Francis, American singer
Judy Garland, American actress
Naomi Ginsberg, Allen Ginsburg’s mother
Julie Goodyear, British actress
David Helfgott, Australian pianist
Ernest Hemingway, American writer
Vladimir Horowitz, Ukrainian pianist
Pat Ingoldsby, Irish poet
Bob Kaufman, American beat poet
Roland Kohloff, American timpanist
Olga Koklova, Picasso’s first wife
Seymour Krim, American author
Vivien Leigh, English actress
Oscar Levant, American pianist and composer
Robert Lowell, American poet
Spike Milligan, British comic
Paul Moravec, American composer
Jennifer O’Neill, American actress
Jimmy Piersall, American baseball player
Robert Pirsig, American author
Sylvia Plath, American poet
Cole Porter, American composer
Dory Previn, American singer/songwriter
Lou Reed, American singer
Paul Robeson, American actor and activist
Michelle Shocked, American singer
Yves Saint-Laurent, French designer
Edie Sedgwick, American actress
Andrew Solomon, American writer
William Styron, American writer
Gene Tierney, American actress
Townes Van Zandt, American songwriter/singer
Rosemarie Von Trapp (mother Maria inspired Sound of Music)
Mark Vonnegut, Kurt Vonnegut’s son
John Wieners, American poet
Rose Williams, Tennessee William’s sister
Simon Winchester, British writer
Frank Wisner, CIA officer
Stevie Wright, Australian singer
Tammy Wynette, American singer
Unconfirmed:
James Forrestal, former US Secretary of Defense
Last Updated: Dec 14, 2007 | Email This Page | Print This Page
I AM CURRENTLY RECIEVING ECT,1 TX.WEEKLY.
WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 3 WEEKS FOR ACUTE DEPRESSION,OVERDOSED ON PSYCH MEDS. HAD ECT 3XWKLY FOR 2WKS.THEN 2 WEEKS WITH NO TREATMENT.SANK DEEPLY INTO DEPRESSION.SO NOW WEEKLY WITH LESSENED DEPRESSION.DEFINITELY HAVE MEMORY AND COGNITIVE LOSSES.
WOULD LIKE TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS WHO HVE BEEN ZAPPED.
SINCERELY,WAYNE
Hi,
I have had 30 ects now and am only 24 years old. I have total memory loss from the period during the treatment and significant memory loss from the five years or so prior. My active memory seems to be fine however. ECT did cure me of severe depression for about 4 weeks, but the memory loss is not worth it. I was told that it would only be for the period during the treatment. I am angry that I can’t remember life events from the past 5 years. I question whether I was just so confused during the treatments that I could not be ‘depressed’ because my brain was getting shocked so often. That, to me, is not relief from depression. My psych says chronic depression can cause memory loss. How come it hasn’t in the ten years before then? Obviously, ect can relieve depression ,temporarily at least, but I would NEVER have it again. Thanfully, I think I can live with the memory impairment I have now.
I am just starting to research ect as i feel i have no other options, is it really that bad, i am petrified now. Please give me any more insight you have. Sue
Hi Sue,
Sorry to hear your having such a rough time. ECT did really help me as I said, for awhile. I felt really motivated to do things when a week before I had been totally suicidal. I think my memory loss is because of the high number of treatments I had. I responded to 4 treatments, then relapsed, and so was given a full course of 16. I think it would have been fine if it had stopped at 4. The main thing I would say is that ect won’t fix your life problems. It might, however, give you relief enough to help yourself. So, from my point of view it’s an absolute last resort. Maybe it saved my life, but I doubt it, and feel the memory loss has just made things more difficult in the end. The actual experience of receiving the treatments is not bad to go through.
I am sick and tired of taking pills. The ones that have worked, don’t work consistently or just stop working after a couple of weeks. ECT is looking like my only option. I am going to suggest it to my doctor at my next visit. I mentioned it a while ago and she said that if you asked 10 depressed Psychiatrists what they would like to be treated with, 9 of them would say ECT. Any comments would be appreciated
I had ECT and it helped for a few weeks but if you think it’s going to keep you from having to take meds, you’re mistaken. My doctor explained that it’s not a cure but a jumpstart to relive the depression for a time so you can find meds that work long term. I’m back to where I was before ECT - depressed again and trying to decide whether to go in for more ECT or try something else. I’m disappointed it didn’t last any longer than it did. I have the same problem with collagen in my lips to plump them up. It lasts a couple of months and then I have to go back for more. The ECT wrekced my memory but if it worked for some time I’d rather be flat and depression free than have memories and in a depression coma. I’m starting to think that the choice is depression or depression free for a few weeks plus no memory. I still havent decided what to do but I’m not impressed. I’m starting to think these doctors dont really have a clue. Maybe a fried brain is better than laying in bed all day though. Would you rather be smart but can’t get out of bed and can’t function or semi retarded and no depression for a month and just keep having more until you’re a total retard? Not much of a choice, but I’m probably going with being retarded. This blows chunks.
Does anyone else feel like sleeping every minute of everyday? I’m addicted to sleep. ECT is the only relief I’ve had from dragging myself around all the time.
Hi. I have just started to receive ECT, apparently on the advice of my outpatient psychiatrist…although I don’t remember having such a conversation. It works for a day, then I’m back where I started, and I can’t remember anything. I hope the treatment outcome improves, or I will have been just as happy getting no relief from meds…at least then I’d remember doing things.
Linda
I have recieved ECT treatments every 4 weeks for nearly 6 months. I was very hesitant because of the memory loss and in my professional life, memory loss would not be a positive thing. However, after weighing the pros and cons, I decided that if I killed myself the memory loss wouldn’t matter. ECT has saved my life. I have had significant memory loss, but I am alive and enjoying life. I continue to take daily anti-depressant medication. Very slowly through discussion with family and through pictures, some of those memories are coming back. In my opinion, the memory loss is worth the opportunity to be alive, living life versus the constant darkness, sadness, and despair that I lived with for many years prior.
Leslie
Hi - my doctor just suggested ECT to me and I am frightened. I knew there was memory loss but didn’t know it could be so extensive. My Dad had it years ago and I remember his short-term memory loss but we didn’t talk about a lot about his other deficits. I remember my MOm having to help him when he went back to work. I don’t have that kind of support and my memory has already been affected by meds. I’m hearing from this site that memory is much more extensively affected than I was led to believe. I am thinking of studying this more before I make a decision. Any one else weighing their options, please let me know. Also, any one really GLAD they had it?
I am shocked and appauled at the negativity of this site. I’ve undergone 8 ECT treatments in the hospital for severe, suicidal depression where meds alone were not being effective enough. The ECT treatments have totally wiped out the great cloud of depression and suicide that weighed on me for years. I am so much more peaceful now and appreciative of life, especially my own. I can read and read and not get distracted and have to read over the same stuff! I am well aware and cognative. I don’t have amnesia of any kind! I have no problems communicating with people either. Nothing but good and positive, productive outcomes have arrived as a result from my experience with ECT. I still have to take meds but they work much better since I’ve had ECT and I don’t take half as much as I was! I’m a 26 year old man and I highly reccommened ECT for people my age who suffer from chronic or bi-polar depression. It is truley a gift from God and an answer to your prayers. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED!!!
I am a father of six, four in the home. I am considering ect because I don’t have good mental control of my life. I have a 16, 14, 8 and 5 year old. For years I have not been a good father figure thanks to my bi-polar. I know I face the possiblilty of severe temporary and/or permanent memory loss, but as others above suggested, it is a last resort but I feel it is needed. ECT to me is like a temporary suicide, (very poor analogy, but it will have to do) I may be able to make a clean break and feel like I have a chance at life again. Every time I move into depression again and again, I find it easier to embrace the idea of self-destruction.
Thanks everybody for your comments, I find them helpful.
I’m really concerned at the number of people who seem to believe that ECT cures all kinds of things, including unhappy life situations.
It does not cure anything! I’ve had ECT, and am having contiuation therapy. I’ve had over 100 ECTS to date and will probably have them til the day I die unless they invent a new drug that works for me. My doctor is one of the leading ECT doctors in the country, and was very honest about it from the start. He said that most people mistakenly believe it’s a panacea for every type of mental illness and personality disorder. It doesn’t CURE, it only helps control the symptoms, and in most cases, that is temporary. In my case, it lasts about 4 weeks. He says that’s typical.
I wouldn’t be alive without ECT. My depression is that bad and nothing else worked. But it’s not easy. Much of my life is spent in the hospital going for more and more ECT and there’s no end in sight.
I’m not saying don’t do it because it’s the only thing that has helped me. But it’s not like you go in for two weeks and get cured. It just doesn’t work that way. You go in, hopefully start feeling better trading the relief from depression for the mental confusion and memory loss and then the depression comes back. Go for more. It’s like constant chemotherapy. Or going for dialysis. I only wish a kidney transplant could cure me, but it can’t. I’m tired of ECT but there’s really no other choice at this point.
I just wanted to point out the reality. I don’t think your doctors are being totally honest with you and telling you what you need to know. Mine did, so I knew what I was getting into. Is it worth it? Yes because it’s the only way I can keep the depression at arms length. But it’s not a round of antibiotics and then the infection is gone.
And if your doctor has told you it will fix an unhappy marriage or borderline or other things besides depression, he’s not being honest.
Good luck to all of you. Just know what you’re getting into and that it mostly won’t end. I’m so tired of it all which I guess means it’s time to head back for more ECT. Sigh.
Andrea
The doctors are pushing for ECT for my sister. My sister has an anoxic brain injury and recently has stopped eating and drinking. The doctors say it is catatonic depression. However, Ativan brings my sister out to where she eats drinks and speaks. Part of what is depressing my sister is the inability to think clearly and short term memory loss caused by the anoxia. I have been led to believe by the doctors that long term memory loss is a minute risk and that the ECT lasts up to a year. From what I am reading that is not the case and ECT will make her memory worse, which will lead to a deeper depression. They can give me no information on how this procedure will affect or benefit an individual with anoxia. Any information would be helpful.
I have suffered from clinical depression for 10 years, i am 43, i have tried lots of tabs. i have had 9 sessions of ect. I was told that i could have tempory memory loss,being abit confused on the day. This is not entirely true, my memory is dreadfull and it is very frustrating!
I also get very bad headaches. Saying that, the treatment did give me a lift,which gives you a chance to stabilize on your meds,
I just wish that i was told the extent of the memory loss,It seems this is the price you pay for some relief of your depression.
I am now in limbo,almost waiting for for that dip to come! The first sign of having a bad day and you think “thats it, it’s wearing off” i would like to know, does anyone ever win depression,and are able to say “i used to suffer depression”???
Hi,
My sister just started getting ECT last week. She plans to do it for 6 weeks.
Her memory is completely gone. I spoke with her yesterday about flying down to see her and when I talked to her today, she had no recollection of the event. She has had depression for the last 6 years if not more. She doesn’t respond to meds.
Will she have to take meds after these treatments? And if so, will the treatments wear off and how often will she have to get them again?
If her memory is so bad now, will she ever be able to remember things or is it just temporary, during the treatments?
After reading this site, I am wondering if the memory loss is what relieves the depression. So basically when you start getting your memory back, does the depression occur?
Am I wrong?
Thanks!!
Chris
I have just started getting ECT. So far I’ve had 5 treatments. I’ve been depressed for nearly 30 years to some extent or another. I’ve not noticed my moods getting that much better but other people have told me that I sound better. The treatments I’ve had so far have been of the unilateral type; the less invasive of the two types available. I’m tempted to request the bilateral version however. My thinking is that if I’m going to go through all this I may as well get the full treatment.
I found the treatments to be pretty traumatic; I woke up crying 4 out of the 5 times I was treated. I am someone who can tolerate quite a bit of physical pain; 40% of my body is tattooed.
Good afternoon everyone!
It’s been 5 mos. since my ECT treatments and I feel like it didn’t help me at all! Then again, I am bipolar and continue to have mood swings, however, I feel that ECT does work for those who really need it the most. It did “zap” me out of my depression and didn’t feel a thing. You don’t feel the treatments just a really big headache and jaw pain when you finish. You are put under anesthesia with muscle relaxants, therefore, you don’t feel a thing during. Just remember that ECT is almost a last resort when medication isn’t doing the trick. It might work for some and it might not. But always be sure this is what you want and not what your doctor tells you - this is what you need.
Hope this helps!
Is it given to people without their consent? Because in the links I have found here they only talk about it being given to people against their will if they suffer from Bipolar disorder and/or dementia. So they dont give it to people who are really really severally depressed do they? My sister is in a Pysch hospital that offers ECT (They said as a last resort, if the meds dont start working) Well my sister is not responding to anti-depressents she hasent been for its been about 2-3 weeks now, there is no way they would give ECT to her with out her concent right? She has been in the hospital for a long time now she was first put in there for a 72 hour lockdown but after which she decided to check herself in so she would try to hurt herself again that means she is concerned and wants to help herself. She has told us and the hospital that she doesnt want it, she is 24 and in charge of her self and her treatment. But after reading what happens to people and that they do it against a patient’s will I am really scared for her. SO what are the chances of them going against her will, or can they?
Reading through all of this. My opinion is that the 36 ECT treatments that I received years ago, stillhas it effects on me. I also took meds for years until about four months ago when I start telling myself, was all of this worth it. Well,it hasn’t. ECT took away feelings,memories and to this day, I have a hard time learning new things. Tried to go back to college and learn a new trade,but the memory and confusion is still there. I ended up in a place where I am not suppose to be, my family is destroyed and my children are now paying for it, saying sometimes,.I wasn’t there for them. Locking yourself in a bedroom and being a loner, for seven years is one of the guildts I face.
I feel for those of you who have had just a few ECT treatments,it might of helped, but after so many, I think it turns into a BTI Brain Trauma Injury.
I’m just considering ect and now it doesn’t sound too good. I feel desperate and keep thinking it is my last resort, but not I’m not so sure after reading the above comments.
Rita, I am in the same boat. I am weighing the options. I already experience confusion which leads to much frustration and anger. My family suffers because I do not work and sometimes sleep too much. Sometimes I feel suicidal because I know I am such a burden and nothing but misery for my family.It is becoming UNBEARABLE to me to live in this way.
IF I decide to get ECT, I wonder if the bad side effects will still bring me to a place that I can be a better father and husband. I see my doctor tomorrow and I am going to see if he can get me started on an ECT regimen. I have been visiting other websites that I googled ECT. It heartens me to see that there are so many patients who have done nothing but praised their treatments. I may regret it, but I bet it will help me to be a better person than I am now for my family. When you haven’t much to lose, and possibly much to gain.
Has anyone here have anything good to say about their ECT experiences?
God Speed to all!
PS. THANK YOU JULI FOR PROVIDING THIS WEBSITE, IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO ME!
I am in the middle of ECT, I have had 5 treatments and have 2 more weeks of outpatient treatments to go, or 6 more of them. I am not feeling good about them at all to tell you the truth, and it was all my psychiatrists fault in the first place. She got me toxic on my depakote! I am Bi-Polar & fell into a deep depression and when I got toxic got severely depressed. I don’t think I will ever do this again, now the hospital is telling me it’s because it’s the weekend and it’s because I haven’t received a treatment in 2 days, well we shall see about this bullshit! I refuse to become dependent on this stuff that’s for damn sure. I would rather be on meds, they worked before! I may be seeing a lawyer before long! I am pretty pissed!
In 1989 i got E.C.T. in willingdon hospital due to severe depression by Doctor Gupta i’e; in New Delhi in India in government hospital . by God’s Grace i am O.K. I thank God and Doctor and my family persons and friends and known persons other than family and friend who help me after that to recover emotionally . before E.C.T. i do masterbation (hand practice), smoke cigarettes and arguements with my father and when my grand mother whom we call mataji - my mother’s mother is died i became depressed . so it was not asked from me but from my parents to sign for the treatment and my father did sign . i recover in 1990 and my parents open me a shop to do as a work to do earnings .i did not did my marriage as i did not earn well but my sex life is good enough to do marriage but i did not did as i feel i cannot carry responsibility further of new ones . now i am in 2006 feels it is good that i did not marry and earnning for my own self only . I hope who go through it a speedy recovery and always HOPE BEST in your life if anything in your life is missing let it miss for good in it and see the positive side of it always and think of your positive aspects in other life’s routine and THANKS GOD always for giving us a good life if not best - O.K. HOPE BEST and THANKS GOD
Hi!
My name is Celine and I’m 29 years old. Since the birth of my son Dylan (who’s almost 2 years old), I’ve been suffering with severe post-natal depression. I’ve tried several anti-depressants but no success so far.
My doctors wanted me to stay in a psychiatric unit-but that thought just terrorises me, I’m scared that I’ll have no control & that they will never let me out!
The last medication I have tried & tested is Lithium Carb 1000MG. I felt a bit better for a couple of weeks & thought I could cope with things better. But it didn’t last very long.
So now I’m back to square 1. What to try next???? My doctors says I should consider ECT-But it sounds very drastic & scary.
I have just had my 8th ECT tx today and I told the Dr. it was my last. I can’t take the headaches and I hate the fact that I wake up crying - as far as I am concerned, it really did me no good, although others beg to differ and see they now see me smiling whereas there were no smiles before. I just think the whole idea of ECT is barbaric to say the least. I am seeing my psychiatrist Friday to go back on meds - and I don’t ever want to hear of ECT again. The idea of it makes my skin crawl. I swear because I told the Dr. today I wanted it to be my last session, I had the worst headache I have had yet as well! And yes I have had some memory loss, not too bad though, could have beeen worse.
My name is Sally, I have recently been released from two hospitalization that I have NO memry of. People came to se me and I didn’t know the only thing I do remember is I we under once in a frightful way that I cant let go of. I don’t remember how old I am, anniversaries, soooo much and I CQN’T LET GO OF WHAT i DON’T remeber. I her voices, won’t go out by myself even into the back yard. I just don’t know whay yo do; my doctors are still playing with my meds. I miss two appointments mostly because I just did wany yo talk about it all th time.. I still think of suicide I asked my husband to put the guns and knives away some were I still have thoughts od suicide I asked my husband to put away certian items so I won’t find them Being in the hospital for four weeks plus You would think I would be better then this! What complicates things is I amd chronically ill with other desaeses.
I get confused easy so please forgiv me if this note looks like Iam an illiterate. I am told I am going to be 55. I just don’y know!!
Tracy
Hi I have had 16 ECT treatments and I have lost my memory. My son was married sometime in June I think and I have no memory of this,We went to France for this and it is all lost memories.I also feel stupid and don’t understand everyday things.I can’t drive to the store without getting lost.I feel so frusterated all the time.I hope I get some of my memories back!!!!
i’ve received ECT three times over the past few years. i’m now doing two a week and will be slowly going down to one a week, every two weeks etc. i’ve concluded that this is the only therapy at this time that works for me. i believe it causes memory loss and some decrease in cognitive abilities, but i feel it is worth it. i am no longer suicidal, nor do i have mania. those were some of the goals for me so i think it has been successful. as far as working on problems and dealing with general sadness-this is something i have to learn how to do. i feel more equipped to do that now.
I am currently writing a paper for grad school on the ethical principles of ECT and it’s use. Thanks to everyone who has shared their experience here. I may use a quote during my presentation about your experiences. I feel your qualitative experiences balance out the statistical jargon the psychiatric professionals use to push for the use of ECT. Secondly, this is from my research, I am astonished to learn that there is a large number of psychiatrists who feel coercion is an acceptable practice to get a patient to consent for ECT. Thanks again and good luck to all of you.
ECT is pure evil. The entire practice of psychiatry is not far behind.
This is for Glenn, who posted on October 15, considering having ECT. I wish I had seen this site and your post sooner, but I just discovered it–and I hope I am not too late with my suggestion!
Please look at the following web site: www.doctoryourself.com. Go to the alphabetical list along the left side, and click on “Depression”. The suggestions are easy to try, and what have you got to lose?
Please consider nutritional alternatives before playing Russian Roulette by having ECT!
Most sincerely,
Anita
My husband has been suffering from Bi-polar depression
for going on 34 years. As a teen-ager in the 70’s he was “just a kid out of control” As a newlywed it was “just adjusting to married life”. Thankfully we sought marriage counseling to find out that he did indeed have Bi-polar. He treatment of prozac and lithium did well for many years. His Mom committed suicide 7 years ago after many ECT treatments and expansive meds use, and he has never been the same. We are now at the point of ECT as “our last resort”. We are so scared beacuse of his Mom’s suicide. The doctor’s tell us she didn’t commit suicide because of the ECT, but……. My husband has never been out of a job and now at age 50 was just terminated December 1st because his Family Leave ran out! Feeling low and just made to feel even lower. We have a consultation to reveiw ECT next week… I hope we’re told the truth…
my mum is due to start etc in 48 hours time.she is very ill and adament on ending her life and her team say this is the next option available. she started taking prozac when it came out as a trial drug 18 years ago and now takes 60mg every morning befor 8 a.m she then continues to take around 15 pills to complete her day. the thing is that the hospital have no infomation on etc to give us as there was an error in printing it and now they need to do the whole lot again. so she is to start it without knowing about it.the only thing i know about it is what ive read on this page. do i talk her out of it or take the chance and hope she will see her grandchildren get married. i am 23 and have a beautiful fiance with two girls aged 1 and 7. any suggestions would be welcome.
hi i came on this site to get more info for a family member who has depression and is thinking of getting ect ….. i didnt like it then and dont like it now …iam just bummed that our country has not come up with something better than this thank you all for being so honest and ur words speak louder then 20 drs. ty bill
I had lots of ect in the seventies and then we did not know much about it. I had what they termed baby blues which was depression after child birth. My husband was told it would be good for me but no i never felt any better infact i felt worse i lost all memory of my daughters christening and i was in hospital during Christmas and came home for a few days. I was shocked the next time i came home to see boots and clothes and presents which had been given to me during the Christmas period. I had no memory. Years later i still can not hold information for very long and find i have to write things down.
Back in 2003 I had a series of about 12 treatments. Before the treatments I couldn’t leave my bedroom. I am now back in college with a 3.7 gpa. I suffered no long term memory loss. I actually lost 80 pounds over a course of about 18 months because i was able to stop taking meds I had been taking for 8 years. ECT saved my life. It has been 2 years since my last treatment. I still have my ups and downs but if I hadn’t decided to take the treatments I probably would have given up on life by now. The only negative side effect I had was that when I woke up from the sedation I had a headache. I remembered everything up until the point I was sedated and everything after I woke up. The choice is ultimately yours. This was my experience.
I haven’t done ECT, but I have done DBT — dialectic behavioral therapy for my bipolar. And, there were some amazing results in that room.
Over the course of 6 months, all of us went from sleeping all day, to being functional people.
If you are depressed, and at your wits end like many here sound, please ask your doctor or therapist.
It did/does work — I went for 2 years, loved the support group atmosphere, and will go back again. Highly recommended.
I’ve been reading this site about ECT, and when I went in for a consult, the doctor was completely evasive about memory loss. Now I see why. What a jerk.
I’m also going to check out Vagal Nerve Stimulation, but I’ve heard it only works 30% of the time and hasn’t been approved yet by the FDA for bipolar.
Take care everyone, and keep reaching out. Your experiences are very helpful. Thanks.
It has been about three years since my last and final treatment. I am afraid I have permanent memory loss. I also have cognitive issues. I am not nearly as smart as I was academically. It’s very frustrating. I am in college and struggle deeply to learn and retain information. It’s so difficult because I really do believe that ECT saved my life. It was my last resort.
Does anyone know of any good websites- medical- that discuss brain damage or the likliehood that I will get my memory back?
Thanks. Peace to you all.
I had severe post natal depression and had 6 ECT treatments in 1990. I lost chunks of short term memories of the preceding 18 months and had some short term recall problems for about 6 months post procedures. My son is now approaching 17 and I have to say that without doubt, ECT allowed me to form a healthy mother child bond with him. It worked.
Dear all,
Has anyone told you that you can apply nutritional therapy with good results to overcome and improve mood and orthomolecular therapy is on offer in some places, far less traumatic than ECT!
Keep optomistic as many options would soon be available.
Hi,
I am also considering the ECT. treatments. I have been on every medication that there seems to be and they either work for a while and wear off or they make me just so sick I can not take them. I only read one good entry so far on this entire page, that is pretty scary. I do have a question if anyone knows, on Nov 12, 2006 on this page, there was a posting that said the Psych had someone toxic from Depakote. Does anyone know what this means? I am a little fearful of that because it is one of the meds that I take. Does anyone also have any good news on ECT or does it all seem to lead to memory loss? Weight gain, Depression, Suicidal thoughts, etc. I thought were enough to battle, I am not sure long term memory loss is worth adding to the list. Thanks,,,,
Renee
I am the person who got toxic on Depakote from my psych, which means that she OD’d me on my blood level, or got me toxic on my level of Depakote. All I knew is that I was throwing up and my stomach was burning like there was a hole in it really bad, I thought I had an ulcer or something, and I was feeling really depressed as well. I knew something was severely wrong, so I got myself into the hospital back in November and when they did a blood level, they told me it should have been between 50 - 100 and it was at 147! So they had to withhold the depakote for a while to solve that problem, and as far as the depression, well they showed me this nice little film that made ECT treatment look like a walk in the park, and they did tell me it works in 70 - 80% of people and I wanted the quick fix, so I said okay, let’s go for it, but I do regret it, I had memory problems, but fortunately no lasting effects, it is very very slowly coming back to me. I did have to go back in the hospital in December as well, but no ECT again, I will never have that in my life. Just wanted to post a follow up to anyone wondering.
I’m considering ect…haven’t tried lithium yet. My psychiatrist wants me to try it. The side effects ie: weight gain, sound terrible. I’ve been on effexor, paxil, prozac. None of them worked for me. I’m now taking 20mg of cipralex with 300mg of wellbutrin daily. Helps a little, but not enough to really make a difference. What have your experiences been with ect? The good and the bad please. Thanks for your time.
I have a 90 year old mom who suffers from bipolar. She is currently in a severe depression after falling, breaking an ankle, and getting caught in the web of managed care in Arizona - not a pretty picture for geriatric psyche cases in that state. Her psychiatrist wants to do ect and I am dead set against it. Any help, input from those familiar w/ geriatric depression would be greatly appreciated.
Hi;
I’m currently a 24 year old student. For many years I’ve struggled w/ anxiety, depression, and heroin addiction. I’ve been on practically all the SSRIs ever brought into psychiatry as well as other anti-psychotics and what-not.
I’m VERY much considering ECT for I have a child on the way and would like to be the best father I can to her!
Feel free to email me at lakitu1983@lycos.com
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the input on the Depakote. I have not been on this site for a few months and was just reading the new posts. I am still on mine, they wanted me to take it 4 times a day and I cut it to 2 times a day myself. I just stash the extra ones…lol I hate being over medicated also. Walking around like you are in a fog or do not want to even get out of bed. I have noticed, I felt great when I started taking it back a few months ago, the great seems to have worn off. It really does work for the mood swings but I am getting terrible apathy from it. I just sit and look around at what needs to be done and can not seem to find the energy to lift a finger to do it. All of this sucks, I am sure like all of you, I get tired of it all.
Renee
I suffered from extremly severe schizo-affective disorder i was in hospital for 3 years. there last hope was e.c.t and it worked. E.c.t saved my life
Hi,
I have had ECT 27 times. I like the way the do it at my hospital. They put you threw a “series” which is back to back treatments every other day. Yes, I did experience memory lost and I work in the computer field. I must say that it seems to me that the memories are not lost. They are just not obtainable. Once I went back to work, once someone reminded me how to fix something the memory would seem to rush into my brain. Very odd. It seems to happen with 95 percent of my memories. I feel I temporarly lost about 40 percent of my memories. They are starting me on “maintenance” ECT which will probably last the rest of my life. I am 42. So it may be a long time. The maintenance ECT is intended to stabilize you. I have had them before they they seem to work well with no ill effect. I have attempted to end my life twice before this, so ECT was not an option in my mind. Basically you have to way the pro’s and con’s. Also my doctor was very upfront with me and stated that it may take up to 6 months to get my memories back, but there is no telling how much you will get back. That all depends are your health and state of mind. I hope this helps someone out there who is undecided.
Bill
With all that I have read, there seems to be a huge difference between the side effects my psychiatrist has made me aware of, and the side effects that most of you have shared…mostly negative ones. I told my psychiatrist what I had read, and he told me to stay away from the internet, as these sites are not based on scientific/medical facts. Why would he be dishonest with me regarding side effects. What does he possibly stand to gain by hiding these things from his patients? I am so confused, I honestly don’t know what to believe. I will be seeing my psychiatrist in 2 weeks to discuss booking hospital time for the ect sessions. I would appreciate any feedback you all may have.
Thanks so much!
It’s me, back again relating to Lorissa, you’re right, we are just relating to our own feelings and not scientific/medical but I just woke up from a nap where I had a nightmare of “ect” memory problems in my dream 5 months later!! So if it is figuring that prominently in my dreams then you can best believe it was somewhat traumatic for me. And like Bill who posted befor you my hospital did put me through a series of treatments every other day and my IQ is pretty high so it’s not as if I’m a low functioning individual here. Just a bi-polar who can’t seem to find the right meds to work properly in the right combination, I kind of feel like a combination lock that you just need to find the right combination for! Lorissa, I guess with ECT you just won’t know until you try it for yourself, personally for me, I was in a hurry to get better as quickly as possible at the time and this was the best thing there, and when I saw the list of all the creative people who had had the procedure before me, I felt like I was being let into an elite class to tell you the truth! For some it does wonders, for others it doesn’t work, but you have to try it to find out, the board is here for you for support! Good luck and God Bless!
ECT doesn’t work for everybody so whoever is considering taking it, don’t let these negative comments stop you from trying it if you are desperate for some relief. I get so severely depressed that I cannot even function. Medication has not helped me. I have had 2 treatments so far and already I am up out of bed and taking care of myself. My jaw hurt too after my first one..so just have a brain and tell them that you experience pain or stiffness afterwards and they will increase the muscle relaxant. This is what I did, now I have no pain or stiffness afterward. Memory loss? yes, I have that too. Listen people…it’s a trade off. I’m afraid you can’t have it all. I gladly trade some memories or lot’s even, just to be able to live a life. I will have to have ECT for the rest of my life. AT LEAST there is relief for me. Thank God for ECT, or my only relief would be suicide.
As a patient currently undergoing ECT treatment, the above experiences of permanent memory loss has terrified me. I was told by my psychiatrist that the loss is strictly temporary. As i suffer deep depression from bipolar, i will continue the ECT.
sometimes you just got to loose some to win some!
hello all.
i am doing a study on ECT. and all of your comments have been very helpful in understanding a patients point of view.
i must say how surprised i was to see how many of you dislike the outcome of the treatments. most of you raise an excellent point in asking whether it’s better to be not functioning but with memory in tact, or functioning for a few weeks and lossing memory. In text books and educational websites, they say nothing about how the patient feels after treatment, only that it is successful in treating the illnesses.
so thank you, for unknowingly providing me with this valuable information. a major part of my study will have changed with your comments and opinions.
good luck to all of you. -Meghan
BARB
HI PEGGY, MY MOM IS 62 YEARS OLD AND SHE WENT INTO A SEVERE DEPRESSION AFTER UNDERGOING ALL OF HER CANCER TREATMMENTS. SHE HAS BEEN ON TWO DIFFERENT DEPRESSION PILLS FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS NOW AND SO WE ARE CONSIDERING ECT. SHE HAS DEVELOPED A FEAR OF CHOKING AND SO SHE REFUSES TO EAT ( THE ONLY FOODS SHE EATS IS PUDDING,ENSURE AND WILL DRINK SOME WATER) SHE GOT TO 100LBS SO WE HAD TO HAVE A PEG TUBE PUT INTO HER STOMACH SO THAT WE CAN FEED HER, BECAUSE SHE WAS ON HER WAY OF STARVING TO DEATH. I THINK I WOULD RATHER HAVE A MOM WITH MEMORY LOSS THAN NOT A MOM AT ALL. SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS
THE COMMENT THAT I LEFT FOR PEGGY..
SORRY BUT I MEANT TO SAY THAT SHE HAD BEEN ON HER DEPRESSION PILLS FOR THREE MONTHS.
Isn’t not being depressed worth the potential memory loss? Most of my memories were shitty anyway and I would have been glad to be rid of them.
Anyway, my memory losses were minor and temporary and nothing will keep me from undergoing ECT again - if major depression is the alternative.
So what if everybody thinks I’m the son of Frankenstein? I refuse to buy into their ignorance.
Bless you Kimi. I understand.
Screw you Kimmi, it’s not up to you to tell others what to do or not to do. Let everyone make up their own mind. Who made you friggin god???
I listened to asswipes like you: Oh don’t listen to all the negatives, ECT helps people, it’s not that bad, it will heal you.
CRAP. Now I’m left with mush for a brain, COMPLETELY disabled thanks to shock. Before shock at least I could work. When Social Security got the papers from my doctor, I had to go see a Social Security psychiatrist and the first thing he said “Oh you had ECT? We pretty much approve everyone who has had that. Nasty stuff.”
Thanks a lot to people like Kimmi. I’m now on disability for life. My life is totally ruined thanks to people like you. I should have heeded the warnings, but no, I had to be a fool and listen to your kind. So shut your pie hole.
Oh my goodness Shayla, you certainly are a rutting pig with that filthy mouth of yours.
The doctor who administered your ECT had the juice cranked up too much. That’s why your memory is so messed up. But you go ahead and blame me because I was there and I did it.
This is a website for ALL to add their experiences idiot, so ALL can judge the pros and cons and make an informed decision. You said YOU should have heeded the warnings. Now you’re feeling stupid, but so insipidly childish that you’ve misquoted me to make yourself feel like a big shot.
Grow up….and clean up that foul mouth of yours.
I had a severe job loss and a week later found out I nhad lymphome which required 7 months of chemo plus radiation. I started to feel really depressed and not wanting to talk with friends, not eat much, nor wanting to exercise, all thinga I enjoyed in the past. The antidepressants Paxil, Cilexa and Wellbutrin haven’t worked for me. I talked to a psychiatrist who said ECT was the best treatment for someone who doesn’t respond to antidepressants, so I’m consideriong it, but after ereading this website I’ve gotten discouraged. I also want to sleep all the time. I feel horrible. What should I do? I read Kitty Dukakis’ book about her successful treatment albeit some memor loss.
I have never responded to this website before.
“Screw you Kimi?”
Why would anybody respond in such a hostile way?
Bless you Kimi. I’m glad your making it.
But don’t listen to me, I’m just another “asswipe.”
Thanks Tom..you’re not the asswipe.
ECT is suppose to give you a mild seizure, not burn your brains out. Lucky for me, my Dr. keeps the electricity on low. They don’t know why it works, just that it does…but not for all. Like all unorthodox or radical treatments it isn’t all sunshiney moments for everybody. That’s why this is a good site, so everybody can tell of their experiences either way. Except for those who puke out their disease instead of sharing their experience.
Like I said. Bless you. Go on thriving, as you should.
As I am.
*chuckles*
You sound like someone I wouldn’t mind chatting with..
I certainly don’t ‘meet’ those often.
Just found this site. Have been talking with several different psychs over the past few years about ECT, as I have been suffering with depression for almost all my life. Meds, in many different combinations or on their own, work for a very short time or usually not at all. Like most of you guys. I always considered ECT to be a last resort and I guess that is the point I’m at now. No one knows what else to do for me. I am about to schedule the treatments. I’m scared to death about the memory loss issue, but as has been mentioned a lot, is it better to suffer without trying or take a chance that ECT’s will help and memory loss won’t be too severe. I wish there were more positive comments.
You’re the idiot, you sniveling old cow. Ugly name, ugly old cow. And a hypocrite to boot. Moo.
This is ridiculous you two. Hardly what I had in mind when I opened comments on the site. If you want to sling names at one another, I suggest you take it to email or do private IMs. For more interesting discussion on ECT, I suggest folks visit the message forums at http://www.zaprap.org.
I don’t tolerate name calling over there, and won’t have it here. Comments closed on this page for now. I’ll open them up later after this kind of child play simmers down.
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