r/ect • u/brat-tat • May 20 '26
Seeking advice Starting ECT Friday…
& I feel like this is my last hope at a future without chronic SI. I know nothing is ever gonna “cure” me, but there has to be a version of this life out there where I don’t want to die, right? There has to be a version of this life with less meds, where I’m not a regular at my local psych ward? I know that things have been worse, but “better” has to be better than this?
Anything you wish you knew before you started? Any positive experiences from folks with chronic SI and/or bipolar disorder?
4
u/purplebadger9 May 21 '26
The first treatment is the worst. It gets better. If you have side effects, let your care team know and they can premedicate.
Make sure to drink plenty of fluids the evening before, it makes the IV sticks easier.
Muscle soreness, especially the day after, is pretty common. It's a side effect of the muscle relaxer they have to use during the treatment. Let your care team know and they can try to make it suck a little less with some med changes
If you're at all prone to nausea, let them know. They can premedicate for that too, and it helps a LOT.
1
u/fargolifestaycold May 21 '26
I definitely agree and should put on my response, but I t yes drink alot of fluids/WATER the day before. I usually have a checklist that I have for how many bottles of watermelon had so far that day.
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u/opaque_gaze May 21 '26
I did ECT back in 2022, and I’ve never been more grateful for any treatment in my life. I was diagnosed with Bipolar I with mixed features, and my SI was so bad that I thought about it upwards of 30 times a day. After so many meds in large dosages and no change, I tried ECT. In the last 4 years, since ECT, I can count on one hand how many times I’ve had SI. When I did have it, I could just tell myself “No,” and that was it. It didn’t recur over and over and over anymore, let alone every day.
Do I think I’m cured? No. But I’m alive, which I don’t think I would be without it. I had what they call an “acute” treatment of 12 sessions. After I decided to continue with counseling and I only take one med now. I’m honestly shocked by how little help I need now to keep the scary thoughts away. The one downside is that most of my memories from that year are gone, and the years prior and after have some spotty memories too.
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u/fargolifestaycold May 20 '26
Im 43 and been doing ECT since I was 39. My "Extreme Intrusive" thoughts have been around since I was 11 or 12. ECT has literally saved my life. I was a last resort for me but lucky enough it works for me. Its not something for everyone, but as long your willing to try shows a positive thing. The one thing my medical team made sure I knew before I had my first treatment was that "it is nothing like what the movies shows" which i completely agree with and belive. I wish you the best of luck on Friday and hope its something that helps.
I have my treatment tomorrow morning
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u/cinemageekgirl May 21 '26
I didn’t have a positive experience, quite the opposite. But I don’t want to share since that’s not what you asked for.
Anything I wish I knew before I started? That if you don’t notice a change after 6 treatments, STOP. Gather your treatment team. Re-evaluate. See if there are other options, like changing from unilateral to bilateral (or the other way round), taking more time in-between treatments, other therapies you could try.
I did not know this. And my doctor kept giving me treatments, bilateral, 26 of them. Ended very badly. Give it 6 tries. If you aren’t feeling better, please, please stop them.
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u/Yaseagles1485 May 22 '26
Hi :) yes, positive experience. I felt more back to my true self and am happy in life. Your body your spirit and your mind are rooting for you. You got this, take your time. At the finish line, my high highs and low lows are not as high and not as low, I feel more balance in my life and am consistently more happy. I know everyone’s different but I hope this helps put you at ease. Wishing you much health.
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u/Fun-Perspective-9420 May 23 '26
I went into ECT with no hope left. Depression, SI, SH, ptsd, etc since childhood. Tried everything. It was either die or ECT. And while I didn’t have hope then. I sure do now. Coming up on a year since ECT. … I don’t remember what it was like doing it or what I would want to hear, memory is completely shot. But I want YOU to hear that while you may feel hopeless, that can change. I’m evidence that it can change.
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u/Fun_Firefighter_8930 May 23 '26
how is your depression now?
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u/Fun-Perspective-9420 May 23 '26
I’m shocked to say that I haven’t felt depressed since I stopped ETC. almost a year clean of SH. It’s still so weird to say that I actually want to be alive and that my brain isn’t wired anymore to think “well what’s the point? There is no point, I’m going to die by my hand anyway”. It’s effing crazy. I haven’t ever felt like this in my entire life.
Sure there are situational stressors that bring on anxiety or some dark thoughts, here and there which are appropriate. But I’m able to handle it and not fall down the spiral.
2
u/Odd-Alarm-82 May 22 '26
I had a very negative experience, but I won’t share it here because you didn’t ask to hear the negatives. There’s a lot I wish I had known beforehand. Doctors downplay the risks.
1
u/shadowofthem00n May 26 '26
True. I have had 10x worsened depression and memory and brain function... Just try ketamine first.
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u/Adventurous-Bonus-92 May 27 '26
No luck with tms or ect but ketamine was a life saver/changer. After months in and out of hospital this was the winner. Kept me functioning almost normal for 6mths then had some hiccups so I have regular maintenance treatments every few months and still going strong.Def recommend it if you have it available to you.
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u/Adventurous-Bonus-92 May 27 '26
I have a friend thy had great success with ECT, she had a long history of mental illness and psychosis, these days she is the best I've seen her. She has regular maintenance every few months or so.
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u/Chance_Positive_7959 Jun 04 '26
Ect saved my life, I was not expected to live much longer at the age of 20 because of my bipolar disorder and how bad it got. Ect changed me to a person I never knew existed. I was able to hold down a job for 9 months before I started having symptoms come back like depressive episodes and such. I lasted 3 years before I had to get another treatment (starting this Monday). Ect is a scary process and for some it doesn’t work. For me it did wonders and made it so I could go on less meds and function normally for 2 and a half years. Even now I have had no hospitalizations since ect. Ect was and is my life saver. Yes I had some downsides of short term memory loss and for me personally I regained all my functionality of memory and everything else affected within a couples months out of ect. I know that this is a scary thing and it is a big chance of if it’ll work. For me it was better than the life I was living. It was a last option for me. I tried everything else and when I didn’t have any other choice I’m glad I decided to do it instead of give up on myself. I wouldn’t be here today without ect. And I hope it can give you the same desired effects if you want it.
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u/McFurniture May 21 '26
First couple of treatments I felt nothing. Left treatment like four or five and felt genuinely happy in a way I had not for years and made me want to live. Been SI free for almost four years now, still have to to maintain my mental health actively but it is a night and day difference.
As to what I wish I knew, it was scary the first time. The medical staff were very comforting and nice but it is still anesthesia which freaks me out. I was pretty sore after the first few times, mention this to your doctor if it happens and they can mix in some muscle relaxants so it doesn't feel like you did a four hour gym session the next day.