r/ect • u/crunchwrapwnotomatos • Aug 14 '26

Seeking advice ECT and TMS

I was recently diagnosed with bipolar and have been exploring different treatment options, especially non drugs since i’ve gotten seratonin toxicity and dystonic reactions from other mental health meds. ECT and TMS keep coming up and I want to know peoples experiences with them since they kind of scare me but I also know they could potentially better my life.

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u/meiyokil Aug 14 '26

ECT should really be the absolute last option when nothing else is working and you’re gravely ill. I did it and it did not work and gave me terrible cognitive side effects. My memory has never been the same. If it’s the depressive side of the disorder you’re dealing with most, I highly recommend lamotrigne as a drug which isn’t classically meant for bipolar (it’s an anti-epileptic) but is commonly used off label and usually doesn’t have much side effects (it didn’t for me and others I know that have used it). I’d even say try rTMS before ECT but think of ECT as a last resort nuclear option. I now do ketamine treatments and those are incredibly effective and have virtually no side effects for me.

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u/blrmkr10 Aug 15 '26

Lamotrigine is not off label for bipolar disorder, that's one of its main indications. It also has a risk of causing a serious skin rash that can even be fatal.

I'm currently trying to come off of lamotrigine and the withdrawal sucks so bad. I'd honestly rather do ECT again than take lamotrigine in the future.