ECT: Could it be scarier for me (career) than them?

Welcome to the forums @CaringHubby99 . So glad you were able to post. Glad to hear you have been a long time reader 🙂

I'm hearing what you are saying in terms of your hesitations. Yet I know members on the forums who have had ECT and rTMS, and it seems to do well for them. It's not the full answer, but seems to reset things.

@Snowie @Eve7 may be able to share any insights they have.

In terms of being diagnosed with 'treatment resistant' depression, I feel it takes away all hope of recovery. I find it unfair when people are labelled with this, and just because one professional or a few professionals don't have an answer, it doesn't mean it is treatment resistant. In a way, I'm sorry you have this label for your partner.

But yes, I've known people in real life you have had ECT/TMS, and it certainly has made a difference. But I think it's important that they continue to get psychotherapy and not just rely on the ECT/TMS.

I hope this helps a little. I'm sure other members will respond with their insights soon.

Thanks @tyme 🙂

your comment about the diagnosis resonates. If did feel like that once that daignosis was provided my person “lost hope” a little. I trust the Dr 100% and he is well respected.

It also comes down to the patient doing the work. Which I hear you say in your comment about ECT not being the magical bullet. I sometimes feel it’s easier to remain the victim (cPTSD diagnosis).

I would be hoping that my person would continue to work on the physiological aspect of their recovery to help manage thier recovery

I look forward to hearing from the other members.

Thanks so much for your perspective it’s great not to feel alone on this path.

Hi @CaringHubby99

Welcome to the Sane forums.

I have had TMS and ECT. Currently I am doing ECT.

I had a 4 week stay as an inpatient when I did ECT 3 times per week mid last year (so 12 sessions over 4 weeks). After I got discharged, I started doing ECT once per month. They call it 'maintenance ECT'. Meant to help keep things stable. At the moment, it is helping. Some people do it more often, some less so, it really depends on what you need, how your mental health is, what the doctor suggests, etc. Lots of things can play a part.

Yes you can do it more often as an out-patient. You might even be able to do it 3 times per week as an out-patient. The reason I didn't do that is the distance I live from the hospital is far and my hubby having to take time off work to take me. For me, this was the easiest path to do.

When you do have ect, you are relying on someone taking you and picking you up too.

Also, this is not the first time that I have had ECT. I have done it quite a few times now.

I have also done TMS. That is a very different procedure. I didn't find it beneficial, but I do know people that have.

I wouldn't say ECT has changed my life, but it has been a positive step towards helping in my recovery. I recover quite quickly from having it, but once again we all are different. I don't seem to have any side effects at all. I guess lucky me!

I have got C-PTSD. Yes I have had memory loss, however it has not helped in my memories of my trauma. There are chunks of time where I can't remember things, but I am told that that is common. Again, it can affect each person very differently.

For me, ECT works with my therapy. I still see a psychologist and a psychiatrist. I still need that help and one on one time with my supports. I don't think ect would be something that I just do alone.

With having my husband as a support, it wasn't something I looked into by myself. My hubby, I and my psychiatrist sat down together and talked through the pro's and con's. Talked about exactly what would happen and what we can expect. I was also at the point where we had tried other things that hadn't helped.

I hope that this helps a little. I think one of the main points is, it was no where near as scary as I thought it would be. Talking to other too, we all recover differently from it.

Please let me know if you need any help. I am happy to answer any questions you have. I know at start that it can be quite daunting.

@Snowie Thanks very much for your perspective. It’s helped me a lot.

it’s great to hear that you have found a treatment that has helped to some degree.

Both my hubby and I are on the journey together and the Physcoligist and psychiatrist are amazing yet their tools are options.

We were going to try rTMS as a middle step yet with 20+ sessions being needed to find any result that’s a long time for both of us. At a time that is quite hard.

Hearing ECT is not as scary as history (and our overactive minds) make it out to be is comforting.

Thanks for sharing.

Glad it has helped @CaringHubby99 I am happy to answer any questions that you have, about both procedures, the process, what happens, etc.

They can be both quite long. The first time I had ECT was 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. I did however feel a change about 4 sessions in. I was doing it as an inpatient then, so not sure if it was that, the ect or a combination of both.

It isn't scary at all for me. I do think, like any hospital/clinic stay, the nurses and doctors can play a part. I'm lucky I go somewhere where the staff are lovely.

> It isn't scary at all for me. I do think, like any hospital/clinic stay, the nurses and doctors can play a part. I'm lucky I go somewhere where the staff are lovely.

We are lucky we have a clinic fairly close where we have a great relationship with the Dr and Nurses. Your 1000% spot on that the staff help so much.

We were told hubby would be inpatient for at least the first week so that reduces the stress.

@Snowie Hearing that you saw some relief after 4 sessions gives hope of a quicker reprieve vs rTMS.

Thanks again for your sharing. I’ve done so much research (it’s what i do, benefit/consequence of my professional life) yet lived experience a lot more beneficial.

After a visit with hubbys Physc and a in-depth review hubby chose to try ECT. First one Fri, then Mon,Wed,Fri.

in patient for the first 4 sessions. We are then reassessing. While rTMS may have been an option 6 weeks is a long time when each day seems like an eternity.

Now we play the waiting game while the admission wheels move slowly for Thursday. (I have trouble with patience myself).

Im crossing my fingers this helps hubby find some relief and ignite his spark (no bad pun intended).

I appreciate your sharing @Snowie it helped me feel safety and thus allow me to support hubby to feel safe. 🙏

Hi @CaringHubby99

Great work on making that decision. I know it is never easy. It's good that your hubby was able to have some input into the decision too instead of just being told what he was doing.

Does make a difference having some sort of control.

Hoping on Thursday he settles in and can begin treatment the next day.

If you have any more questions or want any more info happy to help out with anything.

Take care

xoxo

Thank you for sharing @Snowie . It's so helpful to get your perspective.

@CaringHubby99 , all the best. We look forward to hearing how he goes.

Hi All

Thanks again for the caring and supportive advice. I thought I had replied and when I lodged in to check I had not yet …🥫🧠🫣

Hubby is now 6 sessions into his treatment as an inpatient and it’s going well. During his admission I took the time to research ECT from a scientific view and the way it changes the brain as a physical level are amazing!

His treatment so far has allowed him to gain the space in his head he needed.

When he shared that when he had the thought of ‘I want to learn and participate’ vs ‘why am I here’ when describing his experience during a group I was so emotional (happy/excited/relived).

For anyone reading this who may be beginning their journey on this treatment path in the future I’d like to share a realisation - the stigma around ETC is worse than any negative effect of the treatment.

Thanks again @tyme and @Snowie 🤗