Brain Stimulation: Can Magnetic or Electrical Pulses Help You?

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Hey! I have been through an excessive and numerous amount of ects in 2005-2006 and again in 2010. I have some very mixed thoughts. I have had it both save my life, and severely damage it due to years of permanent memory less. Although I've seen the therapy work on most people in a beneficial way, It usually is short term. 2/3rds of the time ive seen it non effective as a long term solution.

jason uttley of CO 11:02PM October 24, 2012

There seems to be little help for dizziness. After 20 years of dizziness which I had learned to live with, I woke up one morning with my brain whirling and then throwing my head down with great centrifical force. I couldn't get out of bed, I threw up and ended up at the hospital. They tested everything - blood, heart, BP, thyroid, brain scan, CAT scan and MRI and more - all tested negative. They sent me home dizzy. My previous dizziness was only when I was standing, walking etc., now my dizziness is very strong sitting and turning my head when lying down.
I have tried writing and painting with my left hand hoping to rearrange the synapses in my brain. Are there any clinical trials for TMS and dizziness???
IsabelGordon

Isabel Gordon of CT 10:38PM September 29, 2010

After a series of episodes ... manic, depressive, mixed and rapid cycling ... I received ECT. It took a total of 22 treatments.
It saved my life. There is some memory loss, mostly around the events leading up to the treatments, but all and all it is worth it. I am back at my job, one that requires attention to detail a great deal of mental clarity and I am doing well. It has been over a year since I stopped having treatments.

Mick of MO 6:01PM December 08, 2009

For those who thing that permanent memory loss and learning disabilities cannot be caused by ECT, think again. I had over 30 treatments almost 12 years ago. I cannot remember my wedding prior to that, my honeymoon, and many other events. By the time I realized that my possibility of having "short term memory loss" was not to be, it was too late to take legal action. It was just too many treatments.
In addition, I have developed dyscalcula, a disorder having to do with being able to solve math problems, which can affect my work as a medical assistant, and dyslexia. I did not have these problems prior to the treatments.
The treatments worked, but at what cost?

Jane of PA 8:22PM December 05, 2009

?

j carney of MA 2:34PM July 20, 2009

I have had the DBS implanted this last year. The results have been great in relieving my tremor. However the brain is slower in terms of reaction to peoples' comments, in driving. I've wondered if there is any therapy that I can do or have that will change this. I have been retested by the psychologist who says there is little change in the cognitive ability, in comparison to my brain before surgery.

Bob Hardman of MN 10:17AM July 20, 2009

I had 2 dorsal column stimulator implants for neuropathic facial pain, as part of a trigeminal neuralgia and anaesthesia dolorosa (or phantom pain).
The first dorsal column implant helped about 85% but I lost that to an infection. The second one did not help and I also lost that to an infection. (In both instances the infections were apparently related to outside situations rather than from the surgery/implant itself.)
My neurosurgeon then did a sensory cortical stimultor implant, which was experimental. It does seem to help some.
Although it seems they do not do this one they do use motor cortical stimulator implants which, to my understanding, do have good results for those with various chronic pain conditions.
Carol Jay Levy, B.A., CH.t
author A PAINED LIFE, a chronic pain journey
member, cofounder with Linda Misek-Falkoff, PWPI, Persons With Pain International,
accredited to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
member U.N. NGO group, Persons With Disabilities
member, ForGrace, WIP (Women In Pain)

carol levy of PA 11:58PM July 19, 2009

If a person has an untreated head trauma as a child,and notices mild changes in the way they process information,memory retention and
weak distribution of knowledge learned; how do you know where the damage is in the brain and can it be reveresed by a brain stimulant?
Thank you

Loretta Carter of MA 2:08PM July 17, 2009