Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
Hi all,
I'm in the middle of a 3 week program being administered ECT for a total of 10 sessions.
I'M OPEN GAME FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT ANY OF MY PROFILE, NOT JUST ECT. DONT BE SHY, I'LL ANSWER TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCES. IF YOU WANT IT TO BE PRIVATE JUST SHOOT ME A PRIVATE MESSAGE.
AND I'M AN SUCCESSFUL, ACTIVE DUTY, SENIOR ENLISTED LEADER IN THE NAVY WITH OVER 10 YRS IN. SO IF YOU'RE CURIOUS ABOUT BEHAVIOR HEALTH OR ANY OTHER MODUS OPERANDI IN THE MILITARY HIT ME UP & I WOULD LOVE TO HELP IN ANY WAY THAT I CAN, TAKE CARE!
BASIC PROCEDURE: I'm put under general anesthesia, given an extremely strong muscle relaxer, a dose of Ketamine, and then receive ECT bilaterally. I'm told the seizures have lasted 1-2 minutes.
Next thing I remember is waking up in the surgery recovery room of the hospital, hang in there for about 1/2 hr, then go home.
CONS:
1) Severe retro & anterograde amnesia that will hopefully get better (But it is a common side effect, & bilateral treatment can cause it to be worse).
2) My sensory organs can go a little hay-wire from time to time. I.e. Weird smells, sounds, tastes etc.
3) Can't drive the day of.
4) Had brutal migraines the first couple of treatments, but the Docs adjusted some meds to keep my head from exploding now.
PROS:
1) Is working for me after the failure over so many years of a plethora of medications, therapies, techniques, exercises, support groups, Yada Yada Yada.
3) Noticeable improvement almost immediately after the 1st couple of sessions.
2) KETAMINE - Helps two-fold a) lengthens my seizure b) has an anti-anhedonic effect on my mood.
I'm in the middle of a 3 week program being administered ECT for a total of 10 sessions.
I'M OPEN GAME FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT ANY OF MY PROFILE, NOT JUST ECT. DONT BE SHY, I'LL ANSWER TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCES. IF YOU WANT IT TO BE PRIVATE JUST SHOOT ME A PRIVATE MESSAGE.
AND I'M AN SUCCESSFUL, ACTIVE DUTY, SENIOR ENLISTED LEADER IN THE NAVY WITH OVER 10 YRS IN. SO IF YOU'RE CURIOUS ABOUT BEHAVIOR HEALTH OR ANY OTHER MODUS OPERANDI IN THE MILITARY HIT ME UP & I WOULD LOVE TO HELP IN ANY WAY THAT I CAN, TAKE CARE!
BASIC PROCEDURE: I'm put under general anesthesia, given an extremely strong muscle relaxer, a dose of Ketamine, and then receive ECT bilaterally. I'm told the seizures have lasted 1-2 minutes.
Next thing I remember is waking up in the surgery recovery room of the hospital, hang in there for about 1/2 hr, then go home.
CONS:
1) Severe retro & anterograde amnesia that will hopefully get better (But it is a common side effect, & bilateral treatment can cause it to be worse).
2) My sensory organs can go a little hay-wire from time to time. I.e. Weird smells, sounds, tastes etc.
3) Can't drive the day of.
4) Had brutal migraines the first couple of treatments, but the Docs adjusted some meds to keep my head from exploding now.
PROS:
1) Is working for me after the failure over so many years of a plethora of medications, therapies, techniques, exercises, support groups, Yada Yada Yada.
3) Noticeable improvement almost immediately after the 1st couple of sessions.
2) KETAMINE - Helps two-fold a) lengthens my seizure b) has an anti-anhedonic effect on my mood.
I don't get Ketamine they don't give that here in Ireland and now I wish they did it may sustain me longer. While the treatments lift my mood they don't increase my motivation or energy, do you find that? My next treatment is a week on Friday.
Anyway I wish the best of luck with you course of ECT and hope all goes well for you.