ECT Treatment Update

I thought I'd give you some more information about the ECT treatments. I'm on a "every other week" schedule now. My next treatment is Wednesday, May 1st.

From the beginning of my treatments, I've had recurring night terrors while being under the anesthesia. I've talked to the doctor about this and she asked me if I've ever been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I told her "yes" I have PTSD and she said that this is quite common for those with PTSD to have night terrors and nightmares during the anesthesia and for nights after the treatment. Unfortunately, there is nothing they can do to augment these occurrences.

I thank God that I've undergone EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) for my PTSD. Twelve sessions of EMDR as a matter of fact. If I hadn't, the night terrors would be so much worse.

I'm also experiencing out of control anxiety. My anxiety levels are consistently at 9 - 10 throughout the day and night. The types of anxiety are those comparable with PTSD and with Generalized Anxiety. I'm currently working with my psychiatrist to get the anxiety under control. It's everyone's hope that in the next week or so, I'll have it completely under control via medication. This too, gets exacerbated with ECT treatments and those with PTSD. 

So, thank you, PTSD. Once again you've screwed up my life.

I can report that the depression has been completely obliterated from my life. Yay!

I'm enjoying life again. Writing blogs. Walking my dog. Laughing. Yes, I'm laughing. It feels so good to laugh and experience fun.

Life is good, again.

ECT Treatments

I never thought I would say this, but I believe the ECT treatments are helping. I'm out of my depressive slump. No more dark and dreary thoughts. My world is bright and shiny again.

I've had five treatments and according to my doctors I am progressing faster than normal. From what I understand, it would take twice as many treatments to reach the status I have. 

I always was an over achiever.

I'm not one to approach anything half way. It's all or nothing. 

I wasn't sure what to expect when I received my first ECT treatment. Memory loss was a real possibility. However, all that I've experienced are some doozy of headaches. I spoke with my psychiatrist today and we agreed, if that's all I ever encounter, then I should count myself lucky and fortunate. 

If you've never suffered from depression, you should count yourself fortunate and very lucky. Many people can control their depression with medication. Unfortunately, that's been difficult for me. My depression has persisted despite all of my doctors' good intentions.

I spent ten days in the hospital this time. 

I feel bad for my husband and family, because they have to pick up the pieces when I go into the hospital. It's not like I can predict when it's going to happen, either. By the time my doctor decides that it's time to go into the hospital, my world has cracked, big time.

Hopefully, now that I've had ECT treatments, that won't be a problem anymore.

I'll keep you posted.

Until then, stay positive.