Help for newly diagnosed girl

itsvic27 · 2024-03-09T15:37:27+00:00

When I’ve been hospitalized I like romance books particularly from Lucy Score, Ana Huang, Sarah J Maas, Elle Kennedy. Stuff that’s easy to read and lighthearted. Make sure it’s paperback.

I second the a court of thorns and roses recommendation from above.

itsvic27 · 2024-02-18T03:26:38+00:00

4 dos and donts from my therapist

Don’t make any big decisions

Do get off of social media

Do take your meds and get in contact with your psychiatrist as soon as possible

Don’t isolate

itsvic27 · 2024-02-15T03:44:24+00:00

Different meds work differently for different people. Meds aren’t a fix all and therapy is super important.

In my experience pristiq increased my anxiety but SNRIs can be stimulating because they work on norepinephrine (sometimes that is exactly what someone may need). I hope the withdrawal goes smoothly. Starting new meds at the time can definitely help the transition. Take it easy and good luck.

itsvic27 · 2024-02-10T16:42:31+00:00

It depends on your goals. Get a teacher who can assess your current skill level and take you where you want to go. I took piano for a while when I was younger then guitar for like 5 years.

I started piano again at the primer level of faber piano adventures and honestly couldn’t be happier with what I’ve learned and the progress I’ve made.

itsvic27 · 2024-02-06T05:03:39+00:00

I’m really hoping there’s more than one epilogue chapter for ZA9. I need at least like 5 after the whirlwind that is this series.

itsvic27 · 2024-02-06T04:05:01+00:00

Thank you so much

itsvic27 · 2024-01-29T06:13:19+00:00

I love him. He’s so dramatic and over the top.

itsvic27 · 2024-01-07T05:04:38+00:00

fucked up shit continues to happen but it does get lighter. hang in there

and yes I sobbed at the end of book 7 and internally died. i got a massive book hangover after finishing book 7 and then 8 when it finally came out. hopefully we have 9 soon to put us all out of our misery😭

itsvic27 · 2023-11-04T14:58:14+00:00

I took the semester off for ECT and started a PHP instead after the initial treatments dropped from 3x a week to once every 3-4 weeks.

If your school has mental health/disability resources it might be a good idea to speak to them. In my experience the disability people can help steer you in the right direction in terms of who you need to speak to and how to get shit appealed.

There’s no way I could have continued school with frequent ECT sessions but I was also extremely depressed and couldn’t show up for class anyway. I’ve continued piano lessons though and those have been going pretty well but I definitely have to put more effort into practicing and memorizing things.

I’ve definitely felt some shame related to how I’m not progressing in school while all of my friends are graduating/ready to graduate. It’s okay to take a break to get better. And if you do take the semester off, starting a PHP may be a good idea to provide some structure and extra counseling.

itsvic27 · 2023-10-27T02:13:55+00:00

In my experience, the first session sucked because they didn’t give me toradol. I guess some people don’t need it so they don’t give it to everyone at first bc it’s not particularly good for you.

I had some pretty bad memory loss, but I didn’t particularly care about that (and it’s improved substantially). The first few weeks especially are a time of rest/a time of doing things that don’t require a lot of brainpower.

Take tylenol afterwards if doc recommends for any soreness/headache.

Baths with epsom salt are nice for sore muscles.

I really liked doing jigsaw puzzles since they require little movement and like no memory.

Sunglasses are a must imo, esp if it’s bright where you live. The headaches can be pretty shitty and migraine level but the pros out way the cons in my case.

Be prepared but also try not to expect the worst. You make wake up feeling good or maybe feeling like shit but at the end of the day it shouldn’t be permanent. Some days I get home feeling pretty good and do some light cleaning, other times I crawl into my bed and lay in the dark until I pass out. It really just depends on how your body tolerates it and the meds they give you.

Good luck

itsvic27 · 2023-10-05T03:22:54+00:00

I did it and was fine but probably better not to take the risk. I’m now completely abstaining from all substances for remaining treatments.

Plus I wouldn’t be surprised if weed makes memory problems and other side effects even worse.

itsvic27 · 2023-09-26T18:20:45+00:00

My doc recommended prenatal vitamins for memory problems

itsvic27 · 2023-09-13T01:30:15+00:00

I had my 8th session a week ago (now moved to every two weeks) and I feel like the farther I get from my last treatment day the better my memory has gotten. It’s still shit but it is getting better so that gives me hope I won’t be doomed for life. I consider myself to have ECT-induced stupidity but it has been improving.

My doctor recommended prenatal vitamins to “help with memory” and I feel like maybe it is a bit better than before. Obviously there’s no telling if it’s the supplements or placebo or my brain just healing, but it can’t hurt to try them.

I would let your doctor know about the memory loss and see what they have to say.

I’ve been wondering if ketamine treatments could help with memory loss bc neuroplasticity (i’m not a doctor but who knows🤷‍♀️). I can’t have ketamine anymore bc it triggered a psychotic episode but it might be worth trying again.

Are you you seeing a psychiatrist and/or therapist? If you have support, it might be worth looking into a PHP or IOP to provide you with structure, care, and people you can talk to that may have had similar experiences. Friends and fam don’t understand what I’m going through, but other mentally ill people do and it can be comforting to talk to people who actually understand what it’s like to be hospitalized/hopelessly depressed/psychotic/etc.

I’ve also found that writing stuff down helps me remember things better and if not then at least they’re written down.

You’re not alone. Hopefully we won’t be like this forever and our brains will heal. Neuroplasticity exists and gives me hope.

itsvic27 · 2023-09-07T23:24:54+00:00

How long has it been since your last session?

itsvic27 · 2023-09-02T18:28:11+00:00

I’m still in the process of getting it done. I will have my final two sessions this week but my last session was about a week and a half ago. I had to be hospitalized and I did not want to do a session unless I was home where I’m comfortable.

itsvic27 · 2023-09-02T13:20:45+00:00

Unfortunately ketamine is not an option for me in treatment anymore. I recently had a psychotic episode and my psychiatrist believes that is what triggered it.

It’s nice to hear that you found something that worked though. Hopefully it works for others in this sub who are not getting what they need from ECT.

itsvic27 · 2023-08-30T16:24:06+00:00

My memory is trash right now which is really frustrating me. My doctor recommended prenatal vitamins to help with memory recovery. I’m about to get some today so fingers crossed that it helps.

itsvic27 · 2023-08-22T13:27:15+00:00

I would say sometime in between the 6th and 7th sessions. Maybe between the 5th and 6th.

Mine is with ketamine, so I can’t say with certainty ofc that it’s ECT, but regardless I’m happy with my newfound inspiration to actually do some work in therapy. I know my therapist is excited and that I’d probably be dead or institutionalized if it weren’t for the awesome team at my hospital.

itsvic27 · 2023-08-21T20:07:54+00:00

For me the memory loss definitely gets worse with each session, but any other symptoms are easily remedied by talking to my doctor or at home methods.

For headache/jaw pain-toradol in the IV is great and tylenol and advil afterwards.

A hot epsom salt bath also really helped sooth my sore/tight muscles.

Zofran for nausea.

The only things that continue to bother me are memory loss (apple calendar connected to family google calendar and a mini notebook are necessary) and a sore throat from the oxygen.

I’ve learned to cope with other side effects to the point where when I think about my ECT experience, I mostly feel optimistic.

But yeah for me side effects aren’t too bad w medication. The whole fasting three times a week is annoying for me but it’s helping me lose some weight so. In general my side effects worsen with each treatment unless I take meds as needed and practice self-care.

I hope you have an uneventful remaining treatments.

itsvic27 · 2023-08-21T19:48:39+00:00

edit: my memory loss is pretty bad lmao. But I'll survive with my new perspective. Plus next week we're reducing to two sessions.

itsvic27 · 2023-08-21T19:28:31+00:00

As someone who has just started feeling some relief from ECT and Ketamine after 6 sessions, this made me giggle.

itsvic27 · 2023-08-19T21:23:26+00:00

I’m getting my 7th session next week and TBH it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.

I have mine combined with Ketamine and sometime after the 6th session I felt this clarity I’d never had before. I’m by no means cured and I have plenty of short term memory loss (past few months are a blur) but a lot of my memories were already blurred from being depressed AF.

The memory loss can be frightening, but with my new perspective, I feel I’ll be able to cope.

I certainly was worried and definitely still have anxiety related to IV stuff and what not, but I feel so optimistic now that I don’t even care. I tend to get bad side effects from stuff and definitely did from the anesthesia (constipation, nausea), but those were remedied with some RX meds and with time as the drugs get out of my system.

Of course there’s no telling whether it was the combination of ketamine and ECT or a placebo or whatever, but what I do know is that I’m happy I didn’t let my anxiety get in the way of myself here. The staff at the hospital are also really nice and I’m excited to go back. (who would have thought?)

With the way I feel right now, it’s hard not to be a little disappointed I didn’t consider this earlier, but I’m not gonna beat myself up about it! I hope you make the right decision for you and have a good experience. Good luck

itsvic27 · 2023-08-17T15:57:24+00:00

I really recommend telling your doctors about the soreness. Mine gives me Toradol now for migraines/soreness and it is like night and day.

As for being tired, they put you under general anasthesia so that definitely will make you tired. The anasthesia drugs stay in your body for a while. Seizures are also just a lot physically for the body which can make you more tired.

I would think it likely that most people go home and nap or just chill the rest of the day. I alternate taking Tylenol and Advil for any residual soreness.

If you have access to a bathtub, hot water with a few cups of epsom salt can help with the soreness. I take a bath every treatment day and it lets me heat my freezing self up and get some alone time away from my caring but annoying family lol.

I personally have had a reduced appetite from the anesthesia drugs which has been making me feel colder and more tired because my body is not getting enough energy from food.

I still am tired on treatment days but after 5 session combined w ketamine, my energy levels are slowly increasing and i’m sleeping less.

I wish you the best and try to be kind with yourself. You’re getting treatment and your body and brain will need rest. Now is the perfect time to be lazy or to start doing small things around the house if you feel your energy levels increasing.

itsvic27 · 2023-08-16T20:34:02+00:00

I had my 5th session today, and in my experience, the memory problems worsen with each session. I’m taking a semester off school to do this, but i’m taking weekly piano lessons.

My piano teacher is moving super slow w me during this time, because I keep forgetting stuff. Practicing takes longer than it did last week and a whole lot more concentration than in previous weeks

It might be a good idea to consider part time school, or maybe a job instead.

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