Bipolar and ECT Treatments

Hi, @mrser52 - I'd like to tag @healthytoday @pjss48 @gingerw @cyndy76 @catcatanzaro60 @petangelkat1@oprah have mentioned bipolar disorder and may have some thoughts on treating bipolar with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Here is some Mayo Clinic information on that therapy https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/electroconvulsive-therapy/about/pac-20393894.

mrser52 - are you looking into this treatment possibility for yourself? If so, what are your impressions thus far?

Yes, I am looking into it for myself. My PA wants to talk to me about having this done. I want to find out all of the pros and cons for ECT treatments.

@lisalucier Thank you for tagging me in this thread. I do not have any experience with ECT therapy. We believe my mother had undiagnosed/untreated bipolar issues, as discussed by a few of her children after her death.
@mrser52 Elaine, good for you for looking into all the pros and cons in any treatment, to make an informed decision.
Ginger

I have decided to have the ECT Treatments for my Bipolar.

Big decision but if it works fantastic. If you look up Dick Cavitt the well known talk show host, he did it too and he noted immediate positive changes. Treatment resistant depression really puts people in a bind. There are new avenues with things like vagus nerve stimulation ( I think it’s called that) and trans cranial magnetic stimulation. I’m guessing you have seen or hear of these even if just in passing or consultation.

My limited understanding of the procedure is that it’s nothing like Hollywood nor is it harsh like in the earlier days. If it works, how much brighter the world might be! How much less painful on the inside! Maybe even fewer trips to the pharmacy, wouldn’t that be a welcomed thought.

I’m hoping for the best outcome possible for you as I know you are. Please let the group know when and if you choose to do so. I would also ask, as is my chronic series of statements, what the best strategies are to maximize the benefits. That is to say among the various things you can control.

I suspect most of those controllable factors of diet, stress reduction, sleep, exercise, etc are always recommended. I guess ECT is a way for the pathways in the brain to get a swift kick in the teeth to change their tune.

Hi, @renwald - this discussion on transcranial magnetic stimulation may be of interest to you https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tms-therapy-for-long-term-depression

I had my first ECT treatment on Aug.16,2019 and it went great. No memory loss no side effects at all from it. This morning I am having my 2nd treatment out of 12 treatments total. Prayer is wonderful.

@mrser52 Wonderful that you have found something that helps you! We look forward to reading more about your experiences with ECT.
Ginger

Praying for continued good results for you, @mrser52
If you feel comfortable doing so, would you share with us what the experience is like? (i.e., how you are prepped, are you awake or partially sedated, how long of a process is it?)

When they do the ECT Treatments, I can not eat or drink anything after midnight. I am put under general anesthesia so I am not awake during the treatments. After the treatment I am taken to a recovery area where I wake up, and then my husband drives me home. I do have a little headache afterwards. A person can experience headache, nausea or muscle soreness, confusion is a possible side effect and only last a few hours. Myself I only have a small headache and a little confusion. So far I have had 2 ECT Treatments, and 10 more treatments to go. I hope this helps anyone that is considering do this treatment.