ECT side effects

[snowflake231]

I was just wondering if anyone who has had ect would be willing to discus's sideffects that they had. I've had 6 rounds of 6 ects and I'm wondering if it could cause what I'm experiencing with cognitive  problems.  

[Bow]

I’ve had ECT twice and have experienced varying degrees of memory issues @snowflake231  during the treatment I felt a bit foggy and like living in a bit of a haze. 

any concerning side effects I’d be reporting to your doctor though. Everyone responds differently.

[Snowie]

@snowflake231 

I've had ect rounds before. I had it 3 times per week for 4 weeks as an inpatient. Done this quite a few time.

At the moment I'm having it once per month. Pdoc calls it maintenance.

I do get side effects. Biggest one is short term memory loss. I think lots suffer from this.

[snowflake231]

@Snowie @Bow 

I had the memory loss. That does not worry me. 
im just trying to find out if my cognitive problems are a result from the ECT or a result of the depression. 
I have bipolar 1. My last ECT was in 2018. This was my 6th one. My daughters recon that since this last ECT I'm zombified. I can't hold a conversation. I hardly speak. I'm slow. I can't make decisions. I forget things and I forget what they tell me. I'm slow at learning new things basically not functioning properly. 
so I'm wondering if the ECT caused it or if I'm still in such deep depressive state and it's the depression causing this. 

[Snowie]

@snowflake231 

I have had some of those symptoms but do suffer from depression too.

I can understand why others might think it is the ECT having an affect.

I don't want to say one or the other is causing this because I'm not an expert in the field. All I can do is tell you how it affected me, which could be different to the next person.

I will say however, maybe it is a combination of many different things and not just the one thing. The ECT, your depression, your MH, etc. 

[AuntJobiska]

From what you’re saying, and from what the literature says… your experience is in synch with being depressed, that can have those effects. ECT isn’t typically on record as having those side effects, long term cognitive effects are rare, and I haven’t seen them described like that. The sticking point is… are you depressed? If you’re not, then that’s out as an explanation. Dementia is another possibility - it’s more common in bipolar, and you haven’t mentioned your age. Definitely have a conversation with your psychiatrist though. Hopefully you’ve got a strong therapeutic alliance and someone who you can trust.

I haven’t had ECT, but I’ve had it floated to me as a possibility, and I’ve observed patients having it. 

[snowflake231]

@AuntJobiska @Snowie 

Im definately depressed which would explain the symptoms. I was just wondering if anybody having ECT had the same symptoms. Depression definitely can cause all that but I was just wondering. 

[Snowie]

@snowflake231 I do have some of the symptoms, but I feel I was probably having them before I commenced my first round of ECT. For me, I think it comes from my depression and how much it affects my life.

I will say, it is hard when others point them out in us. I hope your family is supportive of you.

[snowflake231]

@Snowie  Yes they are very patient. My daughter is 16 so I'm not expecting too much from her as she is a typical teenager and I love that about her. Having a typical teenager without any abnormal challenges is the best blessing. 

[Snowie]

I'm glad they are patient with you @snowflake231 

I have a 17 and 19 year old. They have both watched me go through my MH journey and watch me have ECT. It does make it easier when we have that support behind us.