Any benefit to ECT

[pedinurse]

I have had a chronic major depression for most of my adult life (I am 51).  Right now, I am undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.  I wonder if there would be any benefit to ECT at this point in my life.  I would like to end the need for all of the medications that I am taking.  Any thoughts on the matter?

[Jaquta]

I think if the medications aren't helping then don't take them.  Withdrawing slowly and not during periods of extreme stress and only after consultation with your doctor.
I personally think ect is a waste of space and should be banned.  I also would not recommend it to anyone, ever!

Have you ever tried psychotherapy?  I believe with the right therapist and therapy that mood can improve.

I don't know if making potentially life changing decisions is a good thing during chemotherapy.
It is also possible that your experience with breast cancer has caused you to reevaluate your life.  You will most likely have a better feel for what is right (or important) for you and what isn't.

I finished radiation about five months ago and I just think you're incredibly vulnerable during treatment and that important decisions should not be made impulsively or when stress and emotions are high.

Good luck for chemo and for making an informed decision.

J

[Jaquta]

One research study in my opinion is not a great deal of research at all.  I wonder how many subjects that involved and also the time of post-testing (and other variables).
Yes, unilateral modified ect is much safer than older versions of it but it still has risks.

A marriage or career must be worth a lot if you would sacrifice your health for them.
ECT has cost many people those vary things too.
I don't believe ect does save lives.  Certainly a few feel 'enlightened' after one or two sessions and some get a kick out of the anesthesia (and it strokes some doctors ego's) but all I have seen it do is destroy lives.  In may cases ect has driven people to kill themselves (and my belief is that that is separate to the underlying depression/ mental health issue).

It almost feels like pedinurse is fed up with people doing stuff to her and she is trying to take back some control.

[bluebutterfly2222]

There were more problems with memory years ago when ECT was administered bilaterally and at high levels. In recent years, advances such as unilateral application and improved monitoring so that just the level required to provoke the seizure is used, have reduced memory problems.  There is often memory loss shortly after a series of treatments, but this tends to clears over time. (In one research study with  pre and post testing of intelligence and cognitive functioning, no significant changes were identified.)

A thorough understanding of the possible risks and benefits should be obtained before undertaking this (or any) medical treatment. ECT is obviously not a first-line, or even second-line, treatment choice, but there are certain patients for whom it  is truly  a  marriage saver, a career saver--or, most importantly, a life saver.

[Paxiled]

"Some" notice memory loss is permanent?  A whole lot more than some.

[bluebutterfly2222]

ECT has its place in the arsenal of treaments for severe and drug-resistant depression, but I would agree with the other posters that psychotherapy, if your aren't already doing it, would be a better choice while you are dealing with BC and its treatment.

Many people, even those who never had problems with anxiety or depression before, feel the need for this type of help, for emotional support during such a difficult time, and for a private place to deal with all of thoughts and feelings and fears that it provokes, especially if you worry about burdening  or alarming family or friends by sharing such things with them...

ECT, as you may know, involves anesthia/sedation for each treatment and may cause at least tempory memory problems (some patients insist this can be permanent) in some cases. I noted in one of your other posts that you are already concerned about chemo fog/chemo brain, so this might be another factor to consider in deciding whether to pursue ECT.

Best wishes...

[Paxiled]

We don't know what med you're taking for depression, or whether it's working.  But just to reinforce what J said, chemo is a lot of stress on the body and might not be the best time to be adding the stress of going off a medication.  Might be better to wait until you get through the chemo and get your immune system strength back.  One major problem at a time.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You received the very best  and most sensible advice from Jaquta...I can't add any more except that even with ect you aren't guaranteed a success nor that you won't have to continue on medications...try psychotherapy, given the cirucmstances, you have a good chance of a breakthrough.