Another BlueBoard Refugee

Hello my dear friend Ginger,

So good to see you posting here on SANE. I hope this post finds you feeling better. All the best with the ECT my friend. Love OTE xx

Hello friends,

The adverse reactions from the anaesthetic weren't as rough as they could have been but they were still pretty bad. It made me agitated and severely depressed. This was the first time that I had adverse psychiatric reactions in a psych hospital and the additional support made it a lot easier process.

Physically, I did had some minor intermittent tremors straight after the anaesthetic but they weren't too bad and went within half an hour. (I don't have epilepsy or anything like that - I just get tremors because my I have a genetic metabolic problem which makes my system very sensitive and easily overwhelmed. Tremors are just one symptoms of that).

My frequency, depth and duration of depression is increasing as well as some dissociation starting to come in - so its not like I can afford to run away from more advanced treatments too easily, even if the side effects are pretty rough.

I will talk to the psychiatrist and the anaesthetist about whether to persist with ECT. I have the feeling they will want to give it a couple more tries at least. The first treatment is not therapeutic - it is to find the threshold - and then they increase the dose by 2 1/2 times thereafter for the therapeutic effect.

My friend came to see me today. She is good value. My mood was brightened from her visit.

Thoughts with fallen and returned service people and their loved ones, to all those who have had their lives touched by war, now and in the past.

Ginger x

I escaped ECT yesterday but am not so "lucky" tomorrow morning.

Tonight I will be off the anxiety reducing medication in preparation for the ECT in the morning. I will then have it on Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week.

I'm lucky that I'm in a good hospital where I am treated well, but my journey with ECT is made more arduous because of the anaesthetic issues. (Besides I still hurt from the ECT on Monday morning - it hurts to breathe, my throat, neck and jaws are sore... but the headache went in the first few days).

It's weird to be in such a good environment with such good staff but going through a very personal nightmare with the anaesthetic. They are supportive but they can't take away the side effects.

I just hope treatment takes away some of the depression!

I've now had my third ECT and its getting much better. My mood is lifting in increments but nothing major. It's something I have to take one day at a time. I will probably be discharged next Thursday.

Wishing you all the best, @GingerWhinger.

All the best to you Ginger, and I hope you start to feel better soon, @GingerWhinger

Hi @GingerWhinger,

It is great having you here on the forums.

I’m finding it a real privilege to read your experience of undergoing ECT. You are so incredibly candid and open about your description of the process, and I feel your experience of ECT so clearly and honestly portrayed.

And I think a lot of what you have written helps to dispel some of the stigma around the treatment, which is great.

The side effects are annoying, but it’s great to read the headache has subsided. And over time the other effects will soon pass too.

And most importantly, you are beginning to find your mood is lifting – albeit small. But lifting nonetheless. Which is awesome. Hopefully it is just on the up and up from here.

Hang in there, you’re doing great.

Snoopy

Thank you all for your encouraging replies.

I had my fourth ECT this morning. Each treatment keeps getting easier. No tremors this morning and I slept like a baby afterwards,. No agitation. And I've had no memory loss. In fact, my memory at this stage is getting sharper as the brain fog from the depression subsides.

I just went to a meditation session. It was about how we have regrets because we want to be good people - and that we have beaten ourselves up enough about our past mistakes - that it is time to let go and forgive ourselves. It was a nice meditation.

Tomorrow I have leave and I'm going bowling with my son for Mother's Day on Sunday.

.

I had my 7th ect yesterday. My agitation is reducing and my mood is improving. My friend is coming to see me. We are going to the movies together. Dunno what we are going to see yet. I will probably have ECT next week too. At least monday and wednesday at this stage.

I had my seventh ECT yesterday. My agitation is reducing and my mood is improving. My friend is coming to see me. We are going to the movies together. Dunno what we are going to see yet. I will probably have ECT next week too. At least Monday and Wednesday at this stage.