Today I had treatment number four. I’m assuming I’ll have around 8, so it’s kind of nice to know we’re halfway there.
Nothing too terribly exciting about today’s experience, but I do have a bit of a headache, which I’d not gotten to this point. But it’s not unexpected-it’s one of the common side effects.
A couple of questions to answer…
Can you tell me how you are getting on now? Has ECT helped or is it helping you?
I’m getting on okay. I’m still having some trouble, but I think I can tell that the ECT is helping. In fact, my husband says I’m more animated that I used to be-and believe me, animated was NOT something I have been in the last couple of years.
Treating depression is a giant, miserable, hell-hole of a waiting game. ECT, as many medications, takes a little time to feel like there’s any progress. Fortunately, with ECT, it’s a matter of a week or two, as opposed to thee three or four weeks you can get with some medications. I’m hopeful that I will start feeling better very soon.
One thing the ECT is not doing, and I don’t expect it to, is help the panic disorder, which is robbing me of any kind of enjoyment of life. I am hoping, though, with a base of a reduced depression, that the panic will become easier to handle.
Thanks for sharing with us. I really hope ECT helps you. I have anxiety and panic and lately my depression has lifted and the anxiety is much less, so I think you are on to something there. Good luck and please keep writing about your ECT experience.
…aqua
I continue with you on your journey. Ah, yes, panic disorder. They tried treating me for 20 years with various meds. As I got older, I developed high blood pressure, and the doctor prescribed a beta blocker–bingo, the very next day I felt different, better. After ten years, I am able to take part in life’s necessaries with more ease. Can’t believe that no one, not one of the doctors I saw in 20 years, associated panic disorder with social anxiety disorder. Beta blockers are prescribed for stage fright, and that, in a sense, is what panic disorder is–we just can’t predict when it will strike, if it will strike, what happens if it does strike, so we avoid situations where we have had this God awful feeling of the rapid heart beat, the feeling of being lightheaded, feeling nauseated, jelly legs–so we flee and in fleeing create more perceived places we cannot go–until we may become housebound. And, I even reached a point where I suffered panic attacks in my home. Nightmare!!!
Just my thoughts–I am happy whenever anything works for any one who suffers from mental disease.
May I suggest your reading two of Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison’s books on manic depression/bipolar depression/depression; one of the books delves into these types of mental diseases and our artistic temperament. Note–she is not saying that ALL artistic people suffer from any of these debilitating problems.
Glad you are more animated; I just have awakened from six months of almost total lethargy but have found a new psychologist–then perhaps a new psychiatrist–then perhaps Lithium? No drugs have worked for the past 35 years.
Blessings to all.
Jane