Starting ECT treatments

[shutterbug]

It looks like i will probably be receiving my first ever ECT treatment Friday and i will be gone for a while. For those who don't know what that is...ECT is electro-convulsive therapy.

The ECT docs office called me today to tell me this (even tho i haven't yet met with them for an official evaluation). They were requesting info from my referring psychiatrist (who i basically had to beg to refer me b/c he thinks ECT is "only done on old people").

The ECT office said they will work tomorrow to get me a bed inpatient and from there i can have all the necessary physical testing done that is needed to clear me for the 6 weeks of treatments, which will be 3 times per week. Oddly enough, i'm more worried about going under anesthesia than the actual shock treatments.

But, i am very excited for what this can mean for me since ECT is 90 percent successful in treating severe depression, but am nervous b/c it's all new and i will be in a total fog for at least 6 weeks.

i will most likely be inpatient the entire time....or else will be having to be taken care of by my mother so i doubt i'll get back here much if any.

Didn't want u guys to worry about my sudden absence since i've been so bad off lately. But i don't know that i'll choose to come back here much anyway after loosing sooooo much of my journal writings in this last system crash.

Dr. Snow...if you still have that link to that surgeon who has undergone ECT will you repost it for Liveweyerd and others pleeeezzze?

Live, Teach, Doll, Cinder, Katie, Bozo, Hippy, Peda, Snow, Hooner, Wolfe (forgive me if i've forgotten any names as my memory is bad right now)...thank you all soooooo much for all the support you've each given me even through your own difficult times. i wish you each the very best and i will try to check in at least once after all my ECT treatments and all the fog clears.

hugs,
jenna

[hippyhippy]

I wish you luck sunshine and will pray that this will help you out of your present dark place of late.
I will keep on coming by to see if you are around or not.
You continue to inspire me with your courage, intelligence and caring nature.
Take care hun
Hippy
xx

[historyteach]

I wish you only the best, Jenna.

And I pray that you will continue to come and share your ESH with us. You've made a big differnce here for all of us, by sharing so openly, breaking down the barriers and the stigmas associated with mental illness and now, with ECT. You are a breath of fresh air. I am greatful for your presence here.

As I said on the other thread, Jenna, you need to feel your anger. Experience your loss. Grieve.
And then, get past it.
As we all must.
Accept what has happened, because, that is what has happened. We cannot change it.

But, go through the process of experiencing that anger and grief first.
It's normal; it's ok; and if you want, we'll be there for you as you go through it.
I won't be frightened away by your anger, Jenna... I'll be here for you, as you have been here for me.
I hope you reconsider...

Shalom, my friend...Shalom!

[Alive]

i wish you good luck..I wish you the best life you can have...i really do..i am imagining you walking on a field and smiling with your hand lifted waving to the wind.


hug

[Dr. Snow]

Originally Posted by shutterbug

Dr. Snow...if you still have that link to that surgeon who has undergone ECT will you repost it for Liveweyerd and others pleeeezzze?

Yeah, shutterbug, here it is:


Sherwin Nuland, the surgeon and author, talks about the development of electroshock therapy as a cure for severe, life-threatening depression. Midway through, his story turns personal. It's a moving and deeply felt talk about relief, redemption, second chances.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/189


I hope ECT goes very well for you, Jenna. Let us know how you're doing as soon as you're able, okay? I'm sorry that part of your journal was lost, but understand that you/we have received real-time therapy from it, and continue to do so--it's lost but not forgotten. I think you/we probably remember more of it than we realize. Don't worry about ECT causing you to forget what you've written, which I kind of doubt anyway. Even so, the thoughts you've expressed in your journal have led you to this decision and that's what is important.

As bad as this crash has been, it could happen anywhere. So, I hope you'll stick around, but if you decide not to, please let us know where you're going, okay? Best wishes...

[wheelman22]

hey jenna,

sorry i havent been around in a while, just wanted to wish you luck with your treatments. i know from my moms experience that yes, you will be in a fog a lot, especially being inpatient. but hopefully, you wont be there too long. but i know that even being an inpatient, my mom noticed that she did start feeling better after i think as little as 2-3 treatments which hopefully that means you could too by the end of next week. and a heads up, there will be those times when you dont feel any better after treatment, that happens, but know that it doesnt last forever. you will feel better again and as long as you dont quit, things can only get better. our thoughts and prayers are with you! we wish you all the best!

dan

[Done_With_It]

Oh wow Jenna! I'm so happy for you. I do hope you check in and let us know how you are doing when you can. I wish you the best.

[stone]

Good luck Jenna, I hope it works out well for you.

[cinderellawkids]

Good luck Jenna and we'll be waiting to hear from you to see how it went

[PaperDolls]

I'm sending good thoughts your way Jenna.
I think I'll light a candle for you tonight.

Please check back soon!

[KatieRose]

Jenna,

Prayers and thoughts are with you.

[Alera]

Sending thoughts your way Jenna.

[shutterbug]

well i'm home early (b/c of a guy and being tired of being inpatient)...i've only been through 3 treatments...with 2 more scheduled for next week, then a two week break while the doc is on vacation and i don't know what i'll do.

i'm already feeling some benefit, but the guy i met inpatient whom i trusted and who said he was a veteran and would stay with me during my next weeks treatments....took off last night with my debit card and pin number. Unfortunately, the only way i know to check my bank balance is by a number on my cell phone and my cell fell out of my pocket into the seat of my mom's car yesterday....so it's dead and in another town right now.

but i'm guessing i've been cleaned out since last i heard from him was this time last night.

stupid
stupid
stupid
jenna

[stone]

OMG, that really sucks. What a slimeball.

Keep strong hun.

[historyteach]

You're not stupid, Jenna.
You made a human error. We all do.
Stop the negative self talk. It will defeat what your going through if you don't change your behaviors, right? Love yourself. You are worthy of it.

Shalom!

[PaperDolls]

I'm so glad you checked in and I'm glad to hear you're getting some benefits from the ECT.

As far as the JERK that stole from you......you're not stupid! Did you call the police? If not, you need to. And call your bank too, they may be able to help.

Hugs to you!