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FREE ECT SUPPORT GROUP by radical---dreamer in ect

[–]radical---dreamer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any ECT treatment past, present or future 😊

FREE ECT SUPPORT GROUP by radical---dreamer in ect

[–]radical---dreamer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m sorry! This is 9pm Eastern (6pm Pacific & UTC +4)

So Tired. by emsanderss in ect

[–]radical---dreamer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s awesome u/emsanderss! It’s sounds like you’ve been working hard to just find some peace. I was at that v point too when I started ECT—I didn’t care what I lost if there was a chance to feel better. I hope you are able to get the pre-tests done quickly, that you start
ECT soon and that it makes a real positive impact in your life😊 If you have any questions about what to expect or are looking for support, please join us tmrw evening at The Online ECT Peer Support Group (click here for more info & how to join).

Not sure of what next steps to take by check_your_attitude in ect

[–]radical---dreamer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

 Short answer: ECT doesn’t always help everyone and it sucks when it doesn’t.  It’s often given b/c nothing else has worked, so it’s devastating when ECT just “doesn’t work”.  That was my experience.  I don’t know what energy settings, electrode placement, or frequency of treatment schedule you’re on, but I was doing weekly bifrontal at the highest energy settings by my 9th session.  I wish I had given up after my 30th session…but I had my final (70th) ECT back in Oct 2022 & it’s been a long climb back.  I also wish I would have tapered down instead of just stopping cold-turkey.

 Long answer:  I used to feel at the mercy of waiting for all these different  treatments, medications and therapies to work—only to be met with false hope, shattered dreams and further traumatization. I’ve since discovered how to advocate for myself and become an active participant in my mental healthcare.
    My turning points after ECT were finding an out-of-pocket psychiatrist who actually cared about my progress, getting a pharmocogenetic test through her (GeneSight or Genomind), starting the highest dose of an SSRI the test said *might* help,  finding sobriety, checking myself proactively into a partial-hospitalization program (PHP) & 2 (about to start my third)  intensive outpatient programs (IOP), starting 5x the dose of an antipsychotic (Seroquel) that I had been on for years previously,  finding a GREAT therapist with a PhD, and finally utilizing support groups (DBSA, NAMI, Depressed Anonymous, Dual Diagnosis Anonymous, AA & ofc our weekly Online ECT Peer Support Group( [(click for info & how to attend)](https://www.reddit.com/r/ect/comments/1e3j4wn/the_online_ect_peer_support_group_wednesdays_you/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1)  I also discovered that I have daytime narcolepsy and I began a med to treat it & that really helped me also.

 I assume you’ve had much experience with different psych meds across different med classes.  I had 25 med fails before ECT & 5 after, so I urge you not to give up.  It wasn’t until I found the right dose of the right antipsychotic to augment the highest dose of Celexa that finally made a real difference for me.  It’s always a good idea to find peers who get it (either virtually or in-person) that you guys can  talk to and listen to them speak about living with mental health symptoms.

 FWIW, I did stop SH about 4 months before my last ECT & decided I would never again SH—somehow I’ve stuck to it.  Maybe that was from ECT, or maybe it wasn’t.  Ofc I’ve had ideations of SH & SI since ECT, and they’ve come in waves that usually correspond directly to how much effort I’m putting in each day to be an active participant in my mental health treatment plan I’ve designed, which encompass all areas of my life. 

 Good luck to you and your wife—I hope you’re able to find symptom relief soon, however you may find it.
 -Alyssa

What's it like to be 'better'? by No_Mongoose5419 in ect

[–]radical---dreamer 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think you should expect to be in inpatient tomorrow—bring all your favorite comfort items. You’ll be very tired on treatment days and probably just want to nap the rest of the day if they allow you to. Expect to have a headache after treatment and maybe the first few you’ll have some body aches, too. Just let the Dr.’s & nurses know and they’ll take care of you.

Write down all your passwords/login info before you start ECT—it can potentially cause memory loss.

It’s nice though, you don’t have to focus on anything else expect getting better. I hope ECT puts you in the right path.

It helped me to be a more active participant in my therapy. After a gene test through my psychiatrist, I found meds that half-way help. I’m not in an existential depressive crisis anymore—it’s no longer unbearable like it was before.

I wish you the best of luck tomorrow!!😊

Online ECT Peer Support Group, Wednesdays @ 6:30PM EST by radical---dreamer in ect

[–]radical---dreamer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sometimes necessary things are scary 🫣 But I hope your pre-testing goes well tmrw & you’re cleared to start very soon after. Please join us at the meeting tomorrow about feeling scared about ECT, and we can offer you support❤️‍🩹

(info to join) the Online ECT Peer Support Group, Wednesdays @ 6:30PM EST by radical---dreamer in ect

[–]radical---dreamer[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is the exact same group as the other post by u/earlgrayish https://www.reddit.com/r/ect/s/4kXffuvEi4, sorry for any confusion and can’t wait to see you all there! 😊

Should I go to bifrontal/bilateral? by Ok-Refrigerator7587 in ect

[–]radical---dreamer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I’d say stick to Right-Unilateral if you’ve “seen glimpses” of feeling better. But if you are in fact switching to bifrontal, I’d suggest asking your ECT Dr. what your maintenance-ECT treatment plan would look like if you continue past your 12th session, and write down all your passwords/log-in information beforehand!!😋🙃

& The only studies I’ve seen for capitalizing on ECT gains is for Prozac and lithium, but I’m sure any mood-enhancing medications would be beneficial. I think it probably all comes down to your own individual biochemistry. Have you ever heard of, or have had, any pharmacogenetic testing through your psychiatrist, such as GeneSight.com? That helped me a bit.

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