Tuesday, April 23, 2013

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.



1 comment :

  1. So sorry that PTSD is causing some unwanted effects. Ugh.
    BUT....
    SO SO happy that you are doing better with the depression!! That's just the best news!! :)

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