I did this so you can connect more easily with other members who are familiar with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) like @hopeful1953@kathadilly@marjou@eczarniecki and others.
Xinlihan, you're so wise to ask others about how you can support your wife as she prepares for ECT treatment this week. When she wakes up after the procedure, she may experience a period of confusion lasting from a few minutes to a few hours or more. She will appreciate you being there as something familiar.
I can imagine it is unsettling to not know what to expect. Have you thought about requesting an appointment with a social worker at Mayo Clinic to talk about your needs and to learn what is available to help you support your wife?
I did this so you can connect more easily with other members who are familiar with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) like @hopeful1953@kathadilly@marjou@eczarniecki and others.
Xinlihan, you're so wise to ask others about how you can support your wife as she prepares for ECT treatment this week. When she wakes up after the procedure, she may experience a period of confusion lasting from a few minutes to a few hours or more. She will appreciate you being there as something familiar.
I can imagine it is unsettling to not know what to expect. Have you thought about requesting an appointment with a social worker at Mayo Clinic to talk about your needs and to learn what is available to help you support your wife?
I did have several ECT treatments. Unfortunately I never forgot the bad things that made me depressed. However I did forget things that meant a lot to me. I even lost love for my husband. Which years later looking back I believe was the treatments. I realized just how many memories I was missing when I went to a high school reunion and everyone was sharing stories that I was in and I didn’t remember them. It was sad. I don’t know anyone that has had a positive outcome and I worry as I age what the long term effects will be. Please research this online. Many had unwanted outcomes. It literally pushed me away from my husband. We divorced it long after. I wish that had not happened!
@xinlihan I’ve had several ECT treatments and my personal experience has been some memory loss and no improvement with depression. There is anesthesia for each treatment. The most helpful is to have someone there who cares as one wakes up from each treatment procedure. Hope this helps your wife.
Many comments on this thread about ECT are very disturbing. I am uncertain about encouraging my wife to undergo these treatments to be honest. The risk of serious impairments seems to outweigh the possible benefits, especially if one can find a medication that is effective.
This is a very uncomfortable place to be. I am thankful for comments. Thomas Knowlton
I apologize for being a “ghost” member for the last few months.
I feel compelled to give my personal observations from the ECT procedure at Genrose Hospital.
I’ve read the pros and cons listed in this forum regarding ECT.
The staff was involved prior to the procedure and answered all questions.
A slight headache and memory loss was of the immediate time period following the procedure and was very sleepy. Nursing staff took notes and evaluated the recovery. They remained attentive and were reassuring by just being there. This was not an easy decision to make. Prayers to you and yours.
I apologize for being a “ghost” member for the last few months.
I feel compelled to give my personal observations from the ECT procedure at Genrose Hospital.
I’ve read the pros and cons listed in this forum regarding ECT.
The staff was involved prior to the procedure and answered all questions.
A slight headache and memory loss was of the immediate time period following the procedure and was very sleepy. Nursing staff took notes and evaluated the recovery. They remained attentive and were reassuring by just being there. This was not an easy decision to make. Prayers to you and yours.
@hopeful1953, I appreciate your posting further about the decision-making process. I can imagine this is really hard for both of you. How are you doing? How is your wife doing?
My wife will be starting ECT on Tuesday, or perhaps even Monday at Genrose facility at St. Mary's. I do not know what to expect in terms of supporting her.
@xinlihan, I hope at this time the therapy is having the desired results. My sister-in-law underwent the same therapy many years ago so I know the outcome can vary greatly. In her case her depression was not lifted. I want to share a possible complementary approach with her doctor's approval and your further research. Vitamin D and B1 are two vitamins needing activation by magnesium. All three are often deficient and all three are important for mental health. The brain has a heavy reliance on activated vitamin B1 (thiamine) and ironically the blood/brain barrier inhibits water soluble thiamine. Free thiamine is not lipophilic and cannot cross the blood-brain barrier by simple diffusion. Transport of blood thiamine to the brain parenchyma is carrier-mediated and it is a slow process. Oil soluble forms of thiamine more readily pass through the blood brain barrier. The healthline link is about vitamin D and a 25(OH)D can determine if a deficiency exists. I hope this information serves as a springboard to become more familiar with these elements and others like omega 3 that benefit the brain's many conditions and functions. https://www.verywellmind.com/magnesium-for-depression-does-it-help-5112650 https://www.krispin.com/magnes.html https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b1-thiamine/ https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/fatigue-sleep-disorders-depression-anxiety-
fibromyalgia-and-cardiac-troubles-as-the-expression-of-a-classic-mild-thiamine-deficiency/ http://stuttersense.blogspot.com/2014/08/these-factors-reduce-your-thiamine.html https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/depression-and-vitamin-d#fa-qs
Yes.
It was the only thing that worked.
Had my sister taken a video afteerwards. there'd be good evidence.
Unfortunately, I live where following treatments were not abvailable; and that's important.
After surgery for fractured disks, I wanted to go back to ECT, but the neuro surgeon would not give medical clearance.
@xinlihan, I hope at this time the therapy is having the desired results. My sister-in-law underwent the same therapy many years ago so I know the outcome can vary greatly. In her case her depression was not lifted. I want to share a possible complementary approach with her doctor's approval and your further research. Vitamin D and B1 are two vitamins needing activation by magnesium. All three are often deficient and all three are important for mental health. The brain has a heavy reliance on activated vitamin B1 (thiamine) and ironically the blood/brain barrier inhibits water soluble thiamine. Free thiamine is not lipophilic and cannot cross the blood-brain barrier by simple diffusion. Transport of blood thiamine to the brain parenchyma is carrier-mediated and it is a slow process. Oil soluble forms of thiamine more readily pass through the blood brain barrier. The healthline link is about vitamin D and a 25(OH)D can determine if a deficiency exists. I hope this information serves as a springboard to become more familiar with these elements and others like omega 3 that benefit the brain's many conditions and functions. https://www.verywellmind.com/magnesium-for-depression-does-it-help-5112650 https://www.krispin.com/magnes.html https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b1-thiamine/ https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/fatigue-sleep-disorders-depression-anxiety-
fibromyalgia-and-cardiac-troubles-as-the-expression-of-a-classic-mild-thiamine-deficiency/ http://stuttersense.blogspot.com/2014/08/these-factors-reduce-your-thiamine.html https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/depression-and-vitamin-d#fa-qs
I Thomas Knowlton following up with progress about my wife going through ECT treatments. She is a 95-pound Chinese woman who doesn't speak English, so there was a good bit of natural trepidation - in addition to random paranoia - on her part being in a foreign setting. As I mentioned at onset I was apprehensive about what about her response to ECT therapy having read several dozens of posted experiences mostly not positive.
So far, results have been encouraging. I don't know what to expect as an ultimate outcome yet. However, wife's health with eating/ drinking, taking vitamins, and mental acuity following rounds of ECT have improved. Whatever the outcome, the people at all levels of her support staff have been terrific.
I will advise futher when we are near enough to finish that I can see an outcome. Appreciative of comments, experiences and insights. Thanks
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That is a good suggestion. I will do so at the same time proceeding with treatment. I feel like my wife is slipping away mentally and physically.
I did have several ECT treatments. Unfortunately I never forgot the bad things that made me depressed. However I did forget things that meant a lot to me. I even lost love for my husband. Which years later looking back I believe was the treatments. I realized just how many memories I was missing when I went to a high school reunion and everyone was sharing stories that I was in and I didn’t remember them. It was sad. I don’t know anyone that has had a positive outcome and I worry as I age what the long term effects will be. Please research this online. Many had unwanted outcomes. It literally pushed me away from my husband. We divorced it long after. I wish that had not happened!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsMany comments on this thread about ECT are very disturbing. I am uncertain about encouraging my wife to undergo these treatments to be honest. The risk of serious impairments seems to outweigh the possible benefits, especially if one can find a medication that is effective.
This is a very uncomfortable place to be. I am thankful for comments. Thomas Knowlton
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI apologize for being a “ghost” member for the last few months.
I feel compelled to give my personal observations from the ECT procedure at Genrose Hospital.
I’ve read the pros and cons listed in this forum regarding ECT.
The staff was involved prior to the procedure and answered all questions.
A slight headache and memory loss was of the immediate time period following the procedure and was very sleepy. Nursing staff took notes and evaluated the recovery. They remained attentive and were reassuring by just being there. This was not an easy decision to make. Prayers to you and yours.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsUntil you feel comfortable, educating yourself with information will benefit your loved one. Most importantly ask questions.
My prayers are with you.
@hopeful1953, I appreciate your posting further about the decision-making process. I can imagine this is really hard for both of you. How are you doing? How is your wife doing?
@xinlihan, I hope at this time the therapy is having the desired results. My sister-in-law underwent the same therapy many years ago so I know the outcome can vary greatly. In her case her depression was not lifted. I want to share a possible complementary approach with her doctor's approval and your further research. Vitamin D and B1 are two vitamins needing activation by magnesium. All three are often deficient and all three are important for mental health. The brain has a heavy reliance on activated vitamin B1 (thiamine) and ironically the blood/brain barrier inhibits water soluble thiamine. Free thiamine is not lipophilic and cannot cross the blood-brain barrier by simple diffusion. Transport of blood thiamine to the brain parenchyma is carrier-mediated and it is a slow process. Oil soluble forms of thiamine more readily pass through the blood brain barrier. The healthline link is about vitamin D and a 25(OH)D can determine if a deficiency exists. I hope this information serves as a springboard to become more familiar with these elements and others like omega 3 that benefit the brain's many conditions and functions.
https://www.verywellmind.com/magnesium-for-depression-does-it-help-5112650
https://www.krispin.com/magnes.html
https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b1-thiamine/
https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/fatigue-sleep-disorders-depression-anxiety-
fibromyalgia-and-cardiac-troubles-as-the-expression-of-a-classic-mild-thiamine-deficiency/
http://stuttersense.blogspot.com/2014/08/these-factors-reduce-your-thiamine.html
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/depression-and-vitamin-d#fa-qs
Yes.
It was the only thing that worked.
Had my sister taken a video afteerwards. there'd be good evidence.
Unfortunately, I live where following treatments were not abvailable; and that's important.
After surgery for fractured disks, I wanted to go back to ECT, but the neuro surgeon would not give medical clearance.
Thank you for your detailed answer and suggestions. Useful
I Thomas Knowlton following up with progress about my wife going through ECT treatments. She is a 95-pound Chinese woman who doesn't speak English, so there was a good bit of natural trepidation - in addition to random paranoia - on her part being in a foreign setting. As I mentioned at onset I was apprehensive about what about her response to ECT therapy having read several dozens of posted experiences mostly not positive.
So far, results have been encouraging. I don't know what to expect as an ultimate outcome yet. However, wife's health with eating/ drinking, taking vitamins, and mental acuity following rounds of ECT have improved. Whatever the outcome, the people at all levels of her support staff have been terrific.
I will advise futher when we are near enough to finish that I can see an outcome. Appreciative of comments, experiences and insights. Thanks