Is there anything out there for short term memory loss?

I have long term and short term memory loss from ECT. Any one want to talk about it?

• I had ECT 4 years ago. I now have severe long term memory loss and short term memory loss. I had testing last year by a neuropsychologist and didn't do well. I went to cognitive retraining afterwards. I want to be retested to see any improvement. I have tried to "practice" for the upcoming tests and am already disheartened because my memory is not so good. Does anyone else have these problems? And, what have you told people about your memory loss? I was a Nurse Manager and then Clinical Supervisor before I had to quit. Now, I don't know how to be a nurse or even recognize former friends and staff. I would love to talk to anyone about their experiences.

• Answer:

  Hi Carol, You know that I am not going to be able to do this subject justice here, right? It only took the industry 60 years to finally acknowledge that ECT definitely produces these side effects, which is pretty insulting....did they think that people were lying for all those years? I had ECT with memory loss which gradually improved though not back to baseline. I take a lot of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and phospholipids.....sigh.....omega 3 and amino acids. It is hard for me to know if the memory issues I have now are from the ECT, carbon monoxide poisoning or from the natural progression of Bipolar Disorder. The aging bipolar mind is a subject unto itself. Currently, I am getting my fillings out and will start mercury chelation in January. I am not highly committed to this idea - not a great card to play but the only one left to be tossed on the table. Mercury can have this effect on people. I just don't want to be sitting in the chair thinking about 'what I should have done' should the Dr give me a diagnosis of dementia some day. So that has been my experience. Oh and one more thing....I can remember some things if I am excited about them when I learn them. This is not that surprising as norepinephrine plays a role in memory formation. I got called into the bosses office a couple of weeks ago for a review of my performance because I have forgotten to do some things.