Parus, don't worry. I've known two people who had bladder cancer, both of who survived and went on to live very productive lives. I will keep you in my prayers, and I pray your outcome is as good as my friends.
Hi Vicki, I had ECT when I was 18. In those you were not given any sedation. Woke up in my room and had no memory of the procedure. Someone sat with me until little by little my memory came back but not sure how much it did. Having PTSD did I block parts of my childhood, or was it the ECT? I had 35 sessions, s lot, is that amount done today? As far as I know it did nothing for me? I don't remember if I had muscle pain or just pain? I know I need that person to sit with me because I was so confused. I was an in-patient in a beautiful hotel like setting. My parents did their best for me. Curious to the setting you were in before it was done. For me, It was done in the basement sitting on a long bench waiting with others, a nurse would call our name when we were next. We also heard the noise, scary. I haven't thought about that in years.
Dear @kimspr3, yes, ECT treatments are given in the same amounts as you remember. Some people take a treatment once a month forever. They swear it does a world of good for them, but I never noticed any good or bad affect. I only had about 4 or 5 sessions. I do understand that the process used to be much more brutal. My mother-in-law took treatments without sedation; it was awful. She forgot so many things; how to cook, her place in society and the world, and my father-in-law took care of her for the rest of her life. She because very religious (she was pretty devout even before, but she became scrupulous. I'm not making fun, but you had to be very, very careful what you did with her anointed palm because she burned it in the night when she was afraid. She was the sweetest of women, and she would do anything for you she was able; the same with my father-in-law. I was blessed to have them given the abuse in my own home. But back to ECT, I found it not to be helpful, but I met a young women during my process who believed she absolutely could not live without it. Same question involved with any treatment we have gone through in our lives - it works for some of us, not for others of us.
@parus I understand where you are coming from. I had my own PTSD when I was facing my spine surgery and I had 2 years to worry about that before it happened. There were traumatic events in my past that were linked to the fear of pain and I had panic attacks every time I thought about surgery every morning for 4 months, then I started asking myself questions about where this fear had come from and why was I doing this to myself? I realized that we are not born with fear, and fear is learned in our experiences. I told myself that if fear was learned, then I could unlearn it, and I did. I realized that I had all the tools I needed to start confronting my fear. Fear sneaks up on you unconsciously, so get to know it and make friends with it so you can be at peace. It will still be there, but what is different is that you can control the fear instead of the fear controlling you and you can stop the automatic response. I had also compared the physical pain from whatever medical procedure I was feeling to a very painful experience before I came to Mayo where I had with a spinal injection that was the highest level of pain I had ever experienced, enough pain that I was uncontrollably shaking and couldn't stop for a long time and I was getting zapped with frequent stabbing electric shock pains that started with the injection and went on for a few weeks. I used to pass out from much less and I was well on my way to that, but after that procedure, I began using visualization of a beautiful place with deep slow breathing and imagined music I loved, and I was able to stop myself from passing out, a true victory. In comparison, I can tell myself that other issues are not as bad as that and it takes some power away from the apprehension. The pain from my spine surgery and the recovery afterward was not even close to the pain I had experienced from the spinal injection, and I could tolerate my surgical recovery without any pain medication. I had the prescriptions, but never took any. I was a little surprised by that because I had imagined it would be much worse, and that also speaks to how well I had defeated my fears. Fear increases pain a lot. I had been using music and breathing and learned to lower my blood pressure and I did that anytime I got nervous about surgery, so it was easy to use that as a method to remain calm and in control at a time when I really needed it. That's how I started confronting my fears, and later I added in artwork and doing sketches of my doctor which lead to something wonderful for me and that became my Mayo patient story. You can design your own emotional therapy with whatever creative outlet works for you.... maybe that's a walk outside in nature, a pet, music, crafts... humor. I hope that helps, and you are not alone. We are here for you.
@parus I understand where you are coming from. I had my own PTSD when I was facing my spine surgery and I had 2 years to worry about that before it happened. There were traumatic events in my past that were linked to the fear of pain and I had panic attacks every time I thought about surgery every morning for 4 months, then I started asking myself questions about where this fear had come from and why was I doing this to myself? I realized that we are not born with fear, and fear is learned in our experiences. I told myself that if fear was learned, then I could unlearn it, and I did. I realized that I had all the tools I needed to start confronting my fear. Fear sneaks up on you unconsciously, so get to know it and make friends with it so you can be at peace. It will still be there, but what is different is that you can control the fear instead of the fear controlling you and you can stop the automatic response. I had also compared the physical pain from whatever medical procedure I was feeling to a very painful experience before I came to Mayo where I had with a spinal injection that was the highest level of pain I had ever experienced, enough pain that I was uncontrollably shaking and couldn't stop for a long time and I was getting zapped with frequent stabbing electric shock pains that started with the injection and went on for a few weeks. I used to pass out from much less and I was well on my way to that, but after that procedure, I began using visualization of a beautiful place with deep slow breathing and imagined music I loved, and I was able to stop myself from passing out, a true victory. In comparison, I can tell myself that other issues are not as bad as that and it takes some power away from the apprehension. The pain from my spine surgery and the recovery afterward was not even close to the pain I had experienced from the spinal injection, and I could tolerate my surgical recovery without any pain medication. I had the prescriptions, but never took any. I was a little surprised by that because I had imagined it would be much worse, and that also speaks to how well I had defeated my fears. Fear increases pain a lot. I had been using music and breathing and learned to lower my blood pressure and I did that anytime I got nervous about surgery, so it was easy to use that as a method to remain calm and in control at a time when I really needed it. That's how I started confronting my fears, and later I added in artwork and doing sketches of my doctor which lead to something wonderful for me and that became my Mayo patient story. You can design your own emotional therapy with whatever creative outlet works for you.... maybe that's a walk outside in nature, a pet, music, crafts... humor. I hope that helps, and you are not alone. We are here for you.
@parus I understand where you are coming from. I had my own PTSD when I was facing my spine surgery and I had 2 years to worry about that before it happened. There were traumatic events in my past that were linked to the fear of pain and I had panic attacks every time I thought about surgery every morning for 4 months, then I started asking myself questions about where this fear had come from and why was I doing this to myself? I realized that we are not born with fear, and fear is learned in our experiences. I told myself that if fear was learned, then I could unlearn it, and I did. I realized that I had all the tools I needed to start confronting my fear. Fear sneaks up on you unconsciously, so get to know it and make friends with it so you can be at peace. It will still be there, but what is different is that you can control the fear instead of the fear controlling you and you can stop the automatic response. I had also compared the physical pain from whatever medical procedure I was feeling to a very painful experience before I came to Mayo where I had with a spinal injection that was the highest level of pain I had ever experienced, enough pain that I was uncontrollably shaking and couldn't stop for a long time and I was getting zapped with frequent stabbing electric shock pains that started with the injection and went on for a few weeks. I used to pass out from much less and I was well on my way to that, but after that procedure, I began using visualization of a beautiful place with deep slow breathing and imagined music I loved, and I was able to stop myself from passing out, a true victory. In comparison, I can tell myself that other issues are not as bad as that and it takes some power away from the apprehension. The pain from my spine surgery and the recovery afterward was not even close to the pain I had experienced from the spinal injection, and I could tolerate my surgical recovery without any pain medication. I had the prescriptions, but never took any. I was a little surprised by that because I had imagined it would be much worse, and that also speaks to how well I had defeated my fears. Fear increases pain a lot. I had been using music and breathing and learned to lower my blood pressure and I did that anytime I got nervous about surgery, so it was easy to use that as a method to remain calm and in control at a time when I really needed it. That's how I started confronting my fears, and later I added in artwork and doing sketches of my doctor which lead to something wonderful for me and that became my Mayo patient story. You can design your own emotional therapy with whatever creative outlet works for you.... maybe that's a walk outside in nature, a pet, music, crafts... humor. I hope that helps, and you are not alone. We are here for you.
@jenniferhunter Thank you for your input. I have now started taking a small sketch pad with me everywhere I go that is scary for me. Due to spinal issues I am not able to draw and paint as I would like to be doing. My safe place. My support comes from connect members. Fear does increase pain. Having an anxiety disorder as well causes more challenges. Doctors/nurses
don't have the time to deal with these disorders and I understand. Takes a lot of psyching myself up to get to appointments.
at times I want to give up. I think about my 4 year old grandson and how he adores me. I then know I must keep trying.
@jenniferhunter Thank you for your input. I have now started taking a small sketch pad with me everywhere I go that is scary for me. Due to spinal issues I am not able to draw and paint as I would like to be doing. My safe place. My support comes from connect members. Fear does increase pain. Having an anxiety disorder as well causes more challenges. Doctors/nurses
don't have the time to deal with these disorders and I understand. Takes a lot of psyching myself up to get to appointments.
at times I want to give up. I think about my 4 year old grandson and how he adores me. I then know I must keep trying.
@parus We're proud of you for persevering! Over the years I have discovered that having a book to read, some crochet or pen and paper for writing/sketching [and sometimes all three!] with me everywhere I go, helps me be prepared. When those times of stress and strain come over me, I can turn to something that will calm me down. I never know when one of those moments will hit, and what will trigger it. I finally found that this is what works for me and I don't care if I look like a bag lady; it's my lifeline. Put a favorite picture of your grandson inside your purse and pull it out to look at it when you need to. Let his smiling happy face pull you back to positive thoughts.
Ginger
@parus I understand where you are coming from. I had my own PTSD when I was facing my spine surgery and I had 2 years to worry about that before it happened. There were traumatic events in my past that were linked to the fear of pain and I had panic attacks every time I thought about surgery every morning for 4 months, then I started asking myself questions about where this fear had come from and why was I doing this to myself? I realized that we are not born with fear, and fear is learned in our experiences. I told myself that if fear was learned, then I could unlearn it, and I did. I realized that I had all the tools I needed to start confronting my fear. Fear sneaks up on you unconsciously, so get to know it and make friends with it so you can be at peace. It will still be there, but what is different is that you can control the fear instead of the fear controlling you and you can stop the automatic response. I had also compared the physical pain from whatever medical procedure I was feeling to a very painful experience before I came to Mayo where I had with a spinal injection that was the highest level of pain I had ever experienced, enough pain that I was uncontrollably shaking and couldn't stop for a long time and I was getting zapped with frequent stabbing electric shock pains that started with the injection and went on for a few weeks. I used to pass out from much less and I was well on my way to that, but after that procedure, I began using visualization of a beautiful place with deep slow breathing and imagined music I loved, and I was able to stop myself from passing out, a true victory. In comparison, I can tell myself that other issues are not as bad as that and it takes some power away from the apprehension. The pain from my spine surgery and the recovery afterward was not even close to the pain I had experienced from the spinal injection, and I could tolerate my surgical recovery without any pain medication. I had the prescriptions, but never took any. I was a little surprised by that because I had imagined it would be much worse, and that also speaks to how well I had defeated my fears. Fear increases pain a lot. I had been using music and breathing and learned to lower my blood pressure and I did that anytime I got nervous about surgery, so it was easy to use that as a method to remain calm and in control at a time when I really needed it. That's how I started confronting my fears, and later I added in artwork and doing sketches of my doctor which lead to something wonderful for me and that became my Mayo patient story. You can design your own emotional therapy with whatever creative outlet works for you.... maybe that's a walk outside in nature, a pet, music, crafts... humor. I hope that helps, and you are not alone. We are here for you.
@jenniferhunter Thank you for your input. I have now started taking a small sketch pad with me everywhere I go that is scary for me. Due to spinal issues I am not able to draw and paint as I would like to be doing. My safe place. My support comes from connect members. Fear does increase pain. Having an anxiety disorder as well causes more challenges. Doctors/nurses
don't have the time to deal with these disorders and I understand. Takes a lot of psyching myself up to get to appointments.
at times I want to give up. I think about my 4 year old grandson and how he adores me. I then know I must keep trying.
My sister Gail says that grandchildren are the dividend for having had children. My dad would say that if he knew how much fun grandchildren would be, he would have had them first.
My sister Gail says that grandchildren are the dividend for having had children. My dad would say that if he knew how much fun grandchildren would be, he would have had them first.
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Parus, don't worry. I've known two people who had bladder cancer, both of who survived and went on to live very productive lives. I will keep you in my prayers, and I pray your outcome is as good as my friends.
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4 ReactionsDear @kimspr3, yes, ECT treatments are given in the same amounts as you remember. Some people take a treatment once a month forever. They swear it does a world of good for them, but I never noticed any good or bad affect. I only had about 4 or 5 sessions. I do understand that the process used to be much more brutal. My mother-in-law took treatments without sedation; it was awful. She forgot so many things; how to cook, her place in society and the world, and my father-in-law took care of her for the rest of her life. She because very religious (she was pretty devout even before, but she became scrupulous. I'm not making fun, but you had to be very, very careful what you did with her anointed palm because she burned it in the night when she was afraid. She was the sweetest of women, and she would do anything for you she was able; the same with my father-in-law. I was blessed to have them given the abuse in my own home. But back to ECT, I found it not to be helpful, but I met a young women during my process who believed she absolutely could not live without it. Same question involved with any treatment we have gone through in our lives - it works for some of us, not for others of us.
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3 Reactions@parus I understand where you are coming from. I had my own PTSD when I was facing my spine surgery and I had 2 years to worry about that before it happened. There were traumatic events in my past that were linked to the fear of pain and I had panic attacks every time I thought about surgery every morning for 4 months, then I started asking myself questions about where this fear had come from and why was I doing this to myself? I realized that we are not born with fear, and fear is learned in our experiences. I told myself that if fear was learned, then I could unlearn it, and I did. I realized that I had all the tools I needed to start confronting my fear. Fear sneaks up on you unconsciously, so get to know it and make friends with it so you can be at peace. It will still be there, but what is different is that you can control the fear instead of the fear controlling you and you can stop the automatic response. I had also compared the physical pain from whatever medical procedure I was feeling to a very painful experience before I came to Mayo where I had with a spinal injection that was the highest level of pain I had ever experienced, enough pain that I was uncontrollably shaking and couldn't stop for a long time and I was getting zapped with frequent stabbing electric shock pains that started with the injection and went on for a few weeks. I used to pass out from much less and I was well on my way to that, but after that procedure, I began using visualization of a beautiful place with deep slow breathing and imagined music I loved, and I was able to stop myself from passing out, a true victory. In comparison, I can tell myself that other issues are not as bad as that and it takes some power away from the apprehension. The pain from my spine surgery and the recovery afterward was not even close to the pain I had experienced from the spinal injection, and I could tolerate my surgical recovery without any pain medication. I had the prescriptions, but never took any. I was a little surprised by that because I had imagined it would be much worse, and that also speaks to how well I had defeated my fears. Fear increases pain a lot. I had been using music and breathing and learned to lower my blood pressure and I did that anytime I got nervous about surgery, so it was easy to use that as a method to remain calm and in control at a time when I really needed it. That's how I started confronting my fears, and later I added in artwork and doing sketches of my doctor which lead to something wonderful for me and that became my Mayo patient story. You can design your own emotional therapy with whatever creative outlet works for you.... maybe that's a walk outside in nature, a pet, music, crafts... humor. I hope that helps, and you are not alone. We are here for you.
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6 ReactionsThank you. You addressed my fear issue beautifully.
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4 Reactions@jenniferhunter Thank you for your input. I have now started taking a small sketch pad with me everywhere I go that is scary for me. Due to spinal issues I am not able to draw and paint as I would like to be doing. My safe place. My support comes from connect members. Fear does increase pain. Having an anxiety disorder as well causes more challenges. Doctors/nurses
don't have the time to deal with these disorders and I understand. Takes a lot of psyching myself up to get to appointments.
at times I want to give up. I think about my 4 year old grandson and how he adores me. I then know I must keep trying.
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Helpful -
Hug
6 Reactions@parus We're proud of you for persevering! Over the years I have discovered that having a book to read, some crochet or pen and paper for writing/sketching [and sometimes all three!] with me everywhere I go, helps me be prepared. When those times of stress and strain come over me, I can turn to something that will calm me down. I never know when one of those moments will hit, and what will trigger it. I finally found that this is what works for me and I don't care if I look like a bag lady; it's my lifeline. Put a favorite picture of your grandson inside your purse and pull it out to look at it when you need to. Let his smiling happy face pull you back to positive thoughts.
Ginger
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3 Reactions@jenniferhunter. Wow. That's all I can say, just wow
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1 ReactionGrandchildren are worth living for, that is certain.
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2 ReactionsMy sister Gail says that grandchildren are the dividend for having had children. My dad would say that if he knew how much fun grandchildren would be, he would have had them first.
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2 Reactions@smilie That is what my mother said. She spoiled her first grandchild something terrible! Not exactly sure how she treated the other 3.
Ginger
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