Posted by Merci on May 22, 2003, at 19:26:40
In reply to Re: Oldschool / Mags..... OR anyone on ECT? » Merci, posted by ant-rock on May 22, 2003, at 17:12:49
Hi Anthony,
Depending on what it is, I think there's a good chance that you could do your job after a treatment session (though I doubt you would find a doctor who would agree). Out of the 5 sessions that I've had, I've felt relatively functional after 4 sessions: alert, hungry, chatty...although after one session I was completely wiped out and slept the entire ride home (1 hour) and then some. For as long as I can remember, though, lack of sleep has gone hand in hand with my depression, so it is hard to say for sure what wiped me out - the treatment or lack of sleep in general.
I do sometimes feel a little bit dizzy and/or lightheaded after the treatments. Finally, I must mention the forgetfulness. I usually have a wicked sharp memory, but ECT is playing some tricks on me. Sometimes I find myself unable to speak the right word (it's on the tip of my tongue!) - and, there have been a few times when I simply don't remember entire conversations that I've had with people close to me (I can recall some conversations when I'm reminded, kind of like after a night of heavy imbibing, but not always - some conversations are seemingly gone forever). I'm also told that I have a habit of repeating myself, not remembering that I've JUST said something. It's an odd sensation.
I don't know what you do for work, and whether your not operating at 100% would be cause for any worries of liability, but I guess my suggestion would be that if you decide to go this route, at least take the first day JUST for yourself.
Of course I won't be able to say for sure whether ECT has worked until it is over - but the fact that I'm able to add this much to this forum (after 5 ECT sessions) is phenomenal to me. I don't ever picture my life as simply sunshine and daydreams, but until I started ECT I also didn't picture it as having any worth at all. I'm astonished that you, and others are learning through my experience - please keep reading and writing if you want to know more.
It took me years to even consider ECT - when I finally decided, it didn't feel like I had anything left to lose. The fact that you use the word "hope" in the end of your message is so significant - for the first time in years, dare I say it, I feel some hope. I have a session tomorrow morning - I'll give a report when I get home.
Be well Anthony, and everyone reading this.
Merci
poster:Merci
thread:228121
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030520/msgs/228432.html