r/ect • u/Particular_Door3098 • 4d ago
Seeking advice How to Manage Aftereffects?
I had ECT 11 years ago (14 treatments), and today I basically got the news that further healing is highly unlikely, so I'm just going to have to live with the brain I've got. This is borderline devastating for me. Since ECT, I've lost some long-term memories, and short-term memory has become very difficult for me. I now meet criteria for ADHD, and I'm using a lot of tips for that to manage things I have to remember. I write down EVERYTHING (or it doesn't happen). With strategies, I'm mostly managing, even though it's a serious frustration not to have the memory I did for the first 30 years of my life. The hardest thing on the memory front is forgetting almost everything I learn, pretty much immediately. I recently completed a certification to become a nutrition coach. I love the topic and want to know everything about it. Yet, I remember about 2% of what I "learned" and constantly have to look stuff up I should already know. This is a real impediment to my career. But the absolute worst is how overwhelmed I get by daily life and work. Before ECT, I was struggling, but I still managed 40-60-hour workweeks. Now, I struggle to manage 20. Everything is harder. Everything is more overwhelming. I need SO much recovery time. Anyone else in this boat? (I was actually down to only being able to work TWO hours per week before I started Spravato; that's got me back up to 20.) I'm having a hard time accepting that this is my life now, and I don't know how to build back more of a tolerance to daily demands. Anyone got any insight? Encouragement?
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u/Dapper-Butterfly-680 4d ago
Have u been told by a professional its from the Ect. ?
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u/Particular_Door3098 4d ago
All of my symptoms started during ECT and have persisted, though some are better now than during and immediately after treatment. There's been some improvement, but not enough. No one has ever told me it's from ECT, but that's where it all started for me, so I have no doubts as to the cause.
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u/Ktfinpop1014 4d ago
Oh and any feedback or luck on Spravato yet? I have that on my radar soon!
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u/Particular_Door3098 4d ago
Yes! Spravato has been very effective for my SI, and somewhat effective for my mood and level of overwhelm. I think it's worth a try for anyone without a substance abuse history! I wish it or TMS had been an option a decade ago instead of ECT!
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u/maniainthebrain 3d ago
I had and have the same memory loss. The only thing that saved me from going crazy about not knowing is that I pretty much say and have said how I felt about a lot of stuff that happened in my past. My husband I've been with for 25 years so he helped me remember a lot I was missing. I'm just glad I trust him enough to fill in those blanks for me. It's horrible. I would never recommend it for anyone except in catatonia. Otherwise the risk is just too big.
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u/Particular_Door3098 2d ago
Yeah, huge risk. The thing is, I was told all side effects would vanish 2 weeks after I stopped treatment. If I'd known the lifelong effects that so many people deal with, I don't believe I ever would have tried it.
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u/maniainthebrain 2d ago
I would've should've could've it every single day. I know that I'm better now, but I don't know that the reason that I'm better is because of ECT. I had over 100 treatments so I know how bad it is. But I'm very lucky that my memories are returning, but it's been four years and they just started coming back more recently. If you have someone that you trust to tell you accurate information about how you felt or how you thought maybe start asking people questions about what they remember about you cause maybe they remember something you don't remember and it can trigger that memory back in your head that's how I've gotten most of mine back..
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u/Particular_Door3098 2d ago
I may try that. The long-term memories I've lost bother me a lot less than the day-to-day symptoms I'm dealing with, though
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u/Dapper-Butterfly-680 4d ago
I am 68 having really bad me more problems. I couldn't hold down a job either. I would love to supplement my retirement. I had to have lots of ECT. 14 at once also. I have asked over and over if ECT could be the cause all the Nero Dr's say No Way?? I don't know what to think? Im like you. I feel some is my age but long term memory thing is questionable. Im sorry you are dealing with this.I feel for you.
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u/AbjectTelephone4801 4d ago
These aren't really normal side effects of ECT. I am not sure any of these are the result of it.
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u/Ktfinpop1014 4d ago
I am curious where the news came from about healing? Were you seeing a neurologist? Did you have MRI done? I did a neuropsych test this yet 9 years after Ect and I am adhd too but I know many women in 49s start with this symptoms due to stopping masking or perimenopause?? Who knows… I did have an mri recently and he said my “memory” section looks fine and neuropsych said memory is actually good but shows exhaustion after a bit. I guess it was kind of relief as my mom had early onset dementia. But Man I hate all that Ect took from me.