Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Do the Risks Outweigh the Benefits?

Chris

I just had 5 ECT treatments.  I have been plagued with chronic fatigue since 1996 and was told it was depression.  After getting no where with doctors, I tried alternative med for about 1.5 years, to no avail.  My primary had been trying to convince me to see a psychiatrist.  After alternative med failed I agreed.  After going through all the available meds, ECT was recommended.  I refused and the psych would no longer see me as I "refused treatment".  My primary's only suggestion was finad another psych.  I did.  The fatigue was getting worse.  It had been 12 years.  It was becoming almost impossible to do my job.  I was very worried.  I agreed to ECT.  My 1st 2 sessions were unilateral and although I did not feel any better, I had no real adverses side effects.  Apparently since I did not respond to the 1st 2 treatments, the 3rd was bilateral.  I was not told ahead of time.  It makes a big difference, as I had no idea where I was or what was going on when I came to.  This was a Monday.  I had treatments Wed and Fri, each being even more disorienting upon awakening.  I spent most of my time in bed since the first bilateral.  The last bilateral was on a Friday.  I spent all weekend in bed.  On Monday I felt terrible.  I had chest pressure, head ache, shortness of breath, the fatigue was significantly worse.  I had a heart attack in 2005.  I called my cardiologist who directed me to the ER.  I spent 3 days in the hospital.  Nothing could be found wrong, however I am still exhausted, my anti anxiety meds and antidepresents have been doubled, and I am still unable to work.  I had been scheduled for 8 treatments, but no more than the 5 I have had are now recommended.  Of course, if I had known then what I know now I would not have done it.

It shoud be noted that my wife, while in the waiting room, talked to the husband of another patient undergoing treatment.  He indicated that the treatment made all the difference in the world for his wife.  She had it done originally 12 years before and it had helped her this long.  She had relapsed and was undergoing it again, and he could see a positive difference in her.

For what its worth

Chris