My special place

Dementia Aus do offer support @tyme over the phone. You can actually talk to the same person each time. They will make a time with you to ring, and then they'll call you back. I can't remember how many sessions I got with them, but the lady I did speak to was really helpful.

I'm not sure if I have felt anything shift since ECT Friday. I don't really have that feeling straight after it. I will say that since I've had monthly ECT, it has kept me out of hospital, which is one of the main reasons why I said yes to the monthly treatment.

I am so sorry to hear this @Snowie. Is there anything in particular that you'd like to discuss? I am all ears. 🫶

Do you notice any changes after ECT? I have been so curious about what that experience is like.

10 days, this is exciting!

Ah, I am so glad you got some rest. What did you and H do together today?

Things just haven't gone well @AuntGlow It's just not one thing, but a few things that have seem to have happened at once. I've had to reach out to crisis lines a few times this week which are part of my safety plan and did help.

I think having my psych back will help. Just have to last till then. She has been gone since mid Dec, so going from having her once a fortnight to nothing has been really hard.

I don't really notice any changes after ECT. Nothing that 'clicks' inside my head. I will say however that having it once per month has kept me from having another admission, which is good and one of the reasons why my pdoc wanted me to do it. My pdoc did speak about having it every fortnight, but thats another day H would have to take off work and that's not fair for him.

We didn't do anything specifically today, just spent it at home. It was nice just to have him around. Tomorrow he is back at work, so mostly be home alone again.

Are the effects supposed to be 'seen' straight after? I know in the past you mentioned it helps... or does it take some time?

Sorry for my ignorance!

I hope the tennis was okay tonight! I'm going to go, but will check back later for your message. @Snowie

Take Care

@AuntGlow back is good thanks. Yes ice helps. I’m in Adelaide it has been very hot, but cool last couple of days.

@tyme I don't know if the effects are meant to be 'straight' after ECT or not. I guess it depends on the person. Like any treatment, some people do not feel any change or it doesn't help them.

With my experience, it takes time to work. I think for me, it helps keep me a bit more stable. But then again, is it my meds or the ECT or working with my psych. Maybe it's a mixture of all.

Lately things haven't been good, but I think that has to do with my psych and her prolonged absence and some trauma anniversaries I had. I haven't seen psych since mid Dec. My pdoc did mention an admission and/or increasing the ECT frequency, but I really didn't want that.

My pdoc likes to call this "maintenance ECT". I guess a bit like a car engine. You do maintenance on it so it doesn't cause problems or stop working. Perhaps this maintenance stops me from getting worse or having a crisis.

Whilst it does help, it doesn't stop all the bigger issues happening. I mean that I don't think it is a 'cure'. There is still a lot of work to do with my psych/pdoc with my trauma and all the things that come associated with that.

Sorry for the very long explanation. I am happy to answer any questions about it.

You've actually taught me so much about the procedure @Snowie . I'm really grateful so I don't have to keep asking you!

I see there are often questions from members about ECT. Is it okay I tag you in? I think I've asked this before, but have you have TMS too? We get a lot of those questions too, and getting response from someone who have lived it, can be so so powerful...

Hope you are managing. I read on another thread that things have been quite tough with Mum?

I'm happy to be tagged with regards to ECT @tyme. If I can help other members I'm glad too.

Yes I've also had TMS done. I had this before ECT. Also happy to be tagged.

I agree, it can be easier talking to someone who has lived experience. I remember before my first ECT session, I found some answers from others which made it feel not as daunting.

Mum is just struggling and unfortunately gets really frustrated and mostly takes it out on me since I see her the most. I thought it would be easier with her living in a home, but it doesn't seem to be.

6 days till my psych is back. Its been a hard process and very lonely, but I'm almost there.

Hey @Snowie ,

It would be great to tag you into posts about TMS and ECT. Thank you!

As for the stress around mum, I'm so sorry it hasn't been easy. Does Dementia Australia have any recommendations?

Good morning @Snowie 🫶

It's always so tough managing multiple things that have gone wrong at once... it makes it really hard for our brains to register that things can be different under that amount of stress.

How can you really nurture yourself right now?

I think this will help too; someone familiar to be there and listen fully.

This is definitely a positive, Snowie!! Hmm, I hear you on it being hard with H having to take off work. What did he say about it?

What kinds of things do you do for yourself when H isn't at home? 🥰