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Default Nov 12, 2021 at 05:26 PM
  #21
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Oh - because im a chicken! I thought about doing it. I really appreciate your posting your thoughts and feelings afterwards. It makes it a lot less scary.
Thank you. My wife and mother are really apprehensive over me consenting to the treatment (my mum got immediately squeamish when I tried to explain the process to reassure her that the team knows what they are doing)... my stepdad on the other hand is fascinated heh.

Journaling it on line is helpful for me in case I have items go missing, like my notepad and iPad etc.

The main concern I have is that they’ve cold turkeyed one of medications that acts as a mood stabiliser but is also an anticonvulsant. I attempted to come off it myself over a month back for a separate medical reason and the withdrawal plummeted my depression and led to the hospital stay in the first place. I’ve been ‘reassured’ that I’m being monitored closely (15 minute observations suck) to be at hand for any adverse effects that may have.

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Default Nov 17, 2021 at 08:12 AM
  #22
Had my 3rd session of ECT yesterday and with the hope of not being premature, I think things are improving. I had my ward round this morning and I felt a sense of positive determination to move towards discharge and returning to work. Hopefully this would be towards the end of November but I acknowledge this is for financial reasons as my savings are taking a big hit with my being off work, so I may not be taking my mental health fully into account.

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Default Nov 17, 2021 at 08:44 AM
  #23
I had a full course of ECT years ago - bilateral - and like 27 treatments or so. Honestly, I can say it reversed the course of my severe, severe depression. I hope it helps you.

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Default Nov 17, 2021 at 10:44 AM
  #24
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I had a full course of ECT years ago - bilateral - and like 27 treatments or so. Honestly, I can say it reversed the course of my severe, severe depression. I hope it helps you.
Was that in one sequence or over several periods? At the place I’m at it’s usually between 6-12

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Default Nov 19, 2021 at 08:27 AM
  #25
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Was that in one sequence or over several periods? At the place I’m at it’s usually between 6-12

One sequence. But I had serious, severe depression and it was the only thing that was purported to help.

Not saying yours isn't severe or anything like that.

This was also years ago and the recommendations maybe have changed.

I had ECT in 2012.

So maybe they've changed the recommendations on what is supposed to help the most with the least amount of side effects. 6-12 should be enough. I guess if they don't see progress soon enough they could theoretically extend your treatment of ECT. Anyway, best of luck.

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Default Nov 20, 2021 at 02:29 PM
  #26
Had my 4th session yesterday. I think they missed the vein when administering the anaesthetic, as it spread only in my hand and hurt like a S.O.B. I think they corrected it as I don’t remember the procedure (thankfully).

I think things are improving. My head was feeling pleasantly empty for most of the day, like mindfulness but without doing the meditation

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Default Nov 20, 2021 at 02:38 PM
  #27
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like mindfulness but without doing the meditation
Intriguing description!

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Default Nov 23, 2021 at 09:17 AM
  #28
5th session this morning. Apparently I was ‘very pale’ after treatment and was kept in the recovery room for a bit longer but i don’t know what this signified. It’s also been noted by staff that 9 times out of 10 people are exhausted after treatment and sleep the rest of the day... this has not been the case for me after any of the treatments and I wonder if it has any correlation to my autism(?)

My mood has taken a dip over the weekend till now and I’m wondering if it has to do with my being taken off the mood stabiliser two weeks back. I’ve become more reclusive and reluctant to come out of my room on the ward.

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Default Nov 25, 2021 at 04:46 PM
  #29
Had my ward round today and expressed my concern with the drop of mood due to the removal of one of my medications. The consultant wants me to continue as is and to have more ECT sessions past the 6th one tomorrow

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Default Nov 25, 2021 at 05:47 PM
  #30
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The consultant wants....
So, this definitely means you will receive more ECT sessions?
Did the consultant offer you an explanation?

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Default Nov 28, 2021 at 12:54 PM
  #31
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So, this definitely means you will receive more ECT sessions?
Did the consultant offer you an explanation?
Yes and no, not really, I was feeling too low at the time to question it. With that said, the ect I was meant to have on Friday was postponed till Monday as the ward had forgotten to complete a weekly covid swab in time. I was royally pissed off at the time but got over it as the weekend progressed

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Default Nov 29, 2021 at 05:56 PM
  #32
I had ECT 3 years ago and I barely remember it. It has severely affected my memory. It's like all I got all of the side effects and none of the benefits.
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Default Dec 02, 2021 at 06:13 AM
  #33
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I had ECT 3 years ago and I barely remember it. It has severely affected my memory. It's like all I got all of the side effects and none of the benefits.
I’m very sorry to hear that. I had my 7th session today and thus far it hasn’t effected my cognition or memory. I’m to receive 5 more and then hopefully will be discharged from hospital before Christmas. I’ve already spoken to work and I intend to return the next day... one of those that likes to jump right back on the horse so to speak.

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Default Dec 03, 2021 at 05:02 AM
  #34
Fingers crossed, I think things are starting to turn positive. I woke this morning feeling ok, a little tinge of anxiety on typing this; though I think this is natural since I’ve had years of things turning to crap. I haven’t self harmed since last weekend and that’s a + in the right direction.

Tomorrow will be a test of the pudding as I’m going out for the day with my wife to a Christmas Market (a hellish experience from an autistic sensory experience) but it will make Justine happy.

So, yes, I’m hopeful that things are starting to fall into place.

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Default Dec 03, 2021 at 06:14 PM
  #35
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I haven’t self harmed since last weekend....
That can serve as an objective measure of efficacy. I'm glad to hear it.

I wish you the very best (possible) experience of the Christmas Market!

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Default Dec 05, 2021 at 11:44 AM
  #36
I think I overstretched myself yesterday. My wife and I had planned to go to a town Christmas market. Problem was, I had a terrible nights sleep and was wide awake from 1:30 am. I put on a brave face and did my best to be social for the in-laws who drove us there (Neither Justine nor I drive) and it was a nice day out... but from an autistic sensory perspective, I was exhausted by the time I got back to the hospital in the evening.

I’ve spent most of today in a daze and my mood has been very low. Not to the point of doing anything stupid... but that’s more down to being without any energy to sustain stupidity. So, hey, perhaps that is a positive to take on board heh.

8th session of ECT tomorrow.

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Default Dec 05, 2021 at 12:37 PM
  #37
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that’s more down to being without any energy to sustain stupidity.
Goodness -- that sounds familiar. That is, it seems to reflect more than a few of my own personal experiences.
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perhaps that is a positive to take on board....
It's a weird positive, but I'm inclined to agree.

Wishing you the best from the eighth session.

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Default Dec 06, 2021 at 07:28 AM
  #38
ECT this morning, banging headache. Been trying to sleep it off but the ward staff keep waking me up to ask me if I’m okay :meh:

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Default Dec 10, 2021 at 11:42 AM
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Default Dec 11, 2021 at 02:20 AM
  #40
Had my 9th session on Thursday. I do think things are getting better. My pre-discharge ward round is on the 17th. I have one more ECT session after that (bringing it to a total of 12) and then I hopefully go home.

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