It’s official-the nurses and staff of the hospital where I get ECT treatments think I’m the most loony of patients they’ve had. And considering you have to be a little crazy to get ECT in the first place, that’s saying a lot!
Why do they think I’m loony? Because I asked if I could take this home:
It’s the LMA-Larygeal mask airway, which has given me so much trouble when waking from the anaesthesia following the ECT treatments.
This is, by FAR, the worst part of the treatments for me, as I’ve mentioned before. But it’s not a common problem for patients, so if you’re reading this while contemplating ECT, please don’t think you’re going to have issues with it like I have. Nor will you necessarily have to use it-there are other options, which just didn’t work for me so I’m stuck with the LMA.
From Wikipedia, here’s how it’s used:
Laryngeal mask airways come in a variety of sizes. The cuff of the mask is deflated before insertion and lubricated. The patient is anaesthetized if conscious, and their neck is extended and their mouth opened widely. The apex of the mask, with its open end pointing downwards toward the tongue, is pushed backwards towards the uvula. It follows the natural bend of the oropharynx and comes to rest over the pyriform fossa. Once placed, the cuff around the mask is inflated with air to create a tight seal. Air entry is confirmed by listening for air entry into the lungs with a stethoscope, or by presence of end tidal carbon dioxide.
I just thought it was interesting enough to include in the blog.
At any rate, I’ve finished treatment number 6. I feel like it might be helping, but my issues with panic have been flaring up badly, so it’s hard to tell. My family thinks they can se the difference, so that’s something that’s not insignificant, in my mind. I would do the treatments if I never saw a change, but my family found me easier to handle.
In other matters, I donated blood on Thursday, so it’s time for my six-times a year reminder that giving blood is relatively pain free (although I gotta say, between ECT and donating blood, I’m a little weary of needles!) and can save the lives of three people. Do it! Now!
Why do they use the laryngeal mask in your case? We seldom use it, in all those years we used it for one patient who had an exceptional large beard which made the ventilation troublesome.
Regards Dr Shock
Am still with you I wish, though, that I had magical wands to ease any discomfort and, of course, provide you with instant relief. But that isn’t how his monster works. If your family sees some changes, that is good for them. The panic issues for me–beyond horrible in my book.
Because of my cancer, can’t give blood, but never gave blood before–chicken.
Blessings.
Jane
Hello, I wish you well with your treatment and hope that some time soon youll feel like you have back the normality you once had. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 5 years ago and do understand the pain and heart ache of depression. However i am now in my first year of studie towards a psychology degree and hopfully further on after that. Funily enough i am doing a report on ECT and came accross your blog. Everyday i fight to stay focused and not slip off the cliff but everynight (with the odd hicupps) i am thankful for making it throug the day. I just wanted to say that you r truly inspirational! It takes alot of courage to sher your journey with everyone. I was blessed with a wonderful psychologist who has helped me and inspired me to get where i am today. I am also blessed with a loving and supportive partner and 2 wonderful children who i live everyday for. I just want you to know that you are blessed with wonderful things and people even though sometimes they r hard to see. Keep moving foward and looking to your wonderfull future, even though sometimes its hard, you will get to the other side. Youll have to fight to stay there, but its all worth it. Best wishes