Effects from ECT's

[Weney3777]

Last year(2008), from Feb. to April, I received ECTs. I was suppose to have 10 treatments, but only went for 8 because I started to get really sick. I was nausious all the time and had extreme tachycardia(160 bpm) every morning upon waking up. My blood pressure became low(80/60) all the time and I was(and am) chronically fatigued. This went on for a year and a half. At the time, I was afraid the ECTs had hurt my heart, seriously, I was scared. Though I got better mentally(I really needed them), the ECTs caused me to have an autinomic dysfunction call Dysautonomia(POTS). This cannot be cured; only the symptoms can be treated. I will be ill for the rest of my life.

Also, my memory is still very foggy(short-term and long).I was wondering if anyone else had these, or any other, permanent side-effects from the ECTs.

I must add that one needs to research(at length) and discuss with their doctors the pros and cons of ECTs before getting them. I, personally, know they are necessary in some cases. I am just saying explore all other options first.

[ILADVOCATE]

Yes TMS is FDA approved and has been for a while. I put a NAMI link in because Wikipedia links can have misinformation. This should explain better:
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/10/09/tms-treatment-for-depression-gains-fda-approval/
I don't believe TMS unlike ECT affects memory long term. It does affect the brain but unlike ECT it does not cause seizures. It appears to have a safer long term side effect profile.

[Weney3777]

That is very interesting. It said it can cause seizures. I wonder if it puts one into seizure during the procedure? I'd imagine not, since you don't have to be asleep to get it. Also, do we know if it affects the memory?

I wonder what constitutes a 'research hospital', that TMS's are performed at.  I don't think it's FDA approved yet, unless I misunderstood the information.

[ILADVOCATE]

There is one new option that is FDA approved that does not have the long term effects of ECT but works basically as well as it which is trans cranial magnetic stimulation:
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=About_Treatments_and_Supports&template=/ContentManagement/HTMLDisplay.cfm&contentID=8078