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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by ruby on September 28, 2010, at 7:34:27
In reply to 5th treatment, more electricity, posted by weatherfreak on September 27, 2010, at 22:12:35
I know how incredibly difficult this is for you and your sister; I keep you in my thoughts and prayers. And what a hard decision to make. I would hold off making a decision until you can talk it over with the doctor--can you go with your sister to this next session, as her caregiver? My sister came with me to my first session after all the treatments were done and it was a great help because she had a better bead on how I was doing. Ask all the questions you need to ask, listen carefully and then make the decision that seems right to you and your sister. What does she want to do?
Posted by weatherfreak on September 28, 2010, at 18:59:34
In reply to Re: 5th treatment, more electricity, posted by ruby on September 28, 2010, at 7:34:27
She hasn't decided yet, she has to give an answer on Thursday.
I really want her to wait, I'll ask her if I can go in with her on Thursday, but she's isn't improving. If anything she's actually gone backwards a bit.
Posted by emmanuel98 on September 28, 2010, at 19:01:49
In reply to Re: 5th treatment » ruby, posted by weatherfreak on September 28, 2010, at 18:59:34
When I had ECT, they said 12 sessions in 4 weeks was the norm to have it work. I stopped at 10 because of weird memory problems I was having.
Posted by Phillipa on September 28, 2010, at 19:05:40
In reply to Re: 5th treatment, posted by emmanuel98 on September 28, 2010, at 19:01:49
Seriously how could she go alone if she's doing so poorly. Not driving? Can she have anything for the anxiety? Phillipa
Posted by ruby on September 28, 2010, at 19:40:36
In reply to Re: 5th treatment » ruby, posted by weatherfreak on September 28, 2010, at 18:59:34
> She hasn't decided yet, she has to give an answer on Thursday.
>
> I really want her to wait, I'll ask her if I can go in with her on Thursday, but she's isn't improving. If anything she's actually gone backwards a bit.I wonder if she seems like she is going backwards because she got that "normal" level of ECT rather than the lower level. It is hard on the body and the brain and it does take time to recover. I believe I had the "normal" range of treatments--it was not fun and I did look like hell for awhile afterwards. I really do encourage you to go with your sister to her doctor appt--ask all your questions, express all your concerns about your sister, especially the possibility that she is going backwards. Maybe it isn't working for her, and you'd certainly want to know that now if at all possible rather than down the road.
Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers....ruby
Posted by mogger on September 28, 2010, at 23:58:24
In reply to Re: WOW! » weatherfreak, posted by Maxime on September 14, 2010, at 19:02:12
My pdoc who is one of the heads at UCLA said that TMS (transcranial magnetic) has been proven to be very effective for treatment resistant depression. I highly respect him. Just a thought.
Posted by weatherfreak on September 29, 2010, at 7:15:13
In reply to Re: 5th treatment, posted by ruby on September 28, 2010, at 19:40:36
Thanks for all your support. She has seroquel and seroquel XR for anxiety and neither is really working at all. She's also on 300mg of Pristiq which was keeping her anxiety at bay more than the seroquel.
Ruby she started going backwards before they turn up the power on Monday because of that. It hasn't helped in my opinion. I have noticed that she has been way more withdrawn since Monday and taking more seroquel to knock herself out which her pdoc said was fine but it's not working. Pristiq has been quite good for her but they need to change her seroquel. She said it's fine for me to come in tomorrow, but her pdoc might be gone before I can go into recovery. I really want to stress to him:-
1. Please give her something else for her terrible anxiety and
2. Please let her recover from this round first before she goes any further.
She has become so anxious that she is literally pacing, it's like shocking akathisia to the point where she keeps shaking her hands like she is trying to get sand off them. Her pdoc refuses to give her benzo's as she had a drug problem years ago but that was with speed. She has been prescribed benzo's in the past and never abused them. I just can't understand why her pdoc won't give her anything but seroquel. Even if it's just enough valium or clonazepam for 1 week, or a stronger anti psychotic for a week to calm her down.
I was totally blown away at how little her first 3 treatments effected her memory and personality. Now I feel like it's not helping her at all and she is sliding into a deep black hole of worse depression, racing intrusive thoughts and severe anxiety. I can't see why a break from it wouldn't hurt. She was only meant to have 6 treatments anyway. I really want to speak to her pdoc. Why continue at this point when it's gone pear shaped in my eyes.
Posted by ruby on September 29, 2010, at 8:04:56
In reply to Re: 5th treatment » ruby, posted by weatherfreak on September 29, 2010, at 7:15:13
I'm so very sorry your sister is so bad off right now. It just plain old stinks--that is what my sister and I say to each other when it gets bad--it just stinks. I really do hope you get to see her pdoc tomorrow and that you are able to get questions answered and perhaps a change in meds. The weeks after my treatment are all a blur to me; it was really good my sister was there for me. It is so good you are there for your sister, even as hard as it is.
About a month after I finished my treatments, my mom died and I HAD to "come to"--for many reasons, I was the one to head up funeral arrangements, take care of my dad who is 84. My sister was so worn out from taking care of me (plus her husband chose to tell her at that time that he was divorcing her...gggrrrrrrr). Anyway, all of this to say, recovery does take awhile--for me at least a month and even more. It will take a while for your sister to recover--and yes, she'll need good, supportive meds during that time.
Continuing to think and pray for you both...
Posted by twinleaf on September 29, 2010, at 9:28:19
In reply to Re: WOW!, posted by mogger on September 28, 2010, at 23:58:24
Very encouraging to hear. That was my experience with it.
Posted by weatherfreak on September 29, 2010, at 17:14:51
In reply to Re: WOW! » mogger, posted by twinleaf on September 29, 2010, at 9:28:19
Thanks guys but I'm not sure if it's widely practiced here yet. I'll have to look into it as an alternative, or get my sister to.
> Very encouraging to hear. That was my experience with it.
Posted by weatherfreak on September 30, 2010, at 18:24:45
In reply to Re: WOW! » twinleaf, posted by weatherfreak on September 29, 2010, at 17:14:51
Well now, something has changed. Her 6th treatment has done something for the better. Her mood is really good, but it's finally really effecting her memory now. Don't get me wrong, she has a memory like an elephant and her long term memory is still amazing but her short term memory is starting to go. Just little things like asking the same question twice but that's about it, for now.
She's seeing her pdoc today as he want to give her 2 more treatments next week. I'm allowed to go in but all I want to stress is that she needs better meds to control her anxiety until this passes. I just don't see how anyone can let someone suffer like that until I found out she hasn't told him about it.
Thank you for all you kind words and support, I'll keep you updated.
Posted by ruby on September 30, 2010, at 21:56:32
In reply to No 6, posted by weatherfreak on September 30, 2010, at 18:24:45
> Well now, something has changed. Her 6th treatment has done something for the better. Her mood is really good, but it's finally really effecting her memory now...
>-->So glad to get this news--yes! The memory will improve with time, bit by bit. So glad her mood has improved, so glad you'll get to see her pdoc too. Such a good sister you are, wonderful!
Posted by weatherfreak on October 1, 2010, at 0:35:49
In reply to Re: No 6 » weatherfreak, posted by ruby on September 30, 2010, at 21:56:32
LOL, I'm her brother :)
I didn't have to go with her today, she has decided to tell her pdoc about her terrible anxiety and that she doesn't want to have anymore for now as she is finally feeling better mood wise. She wants to see how she feels now before going any further. We had a really good chat and she came to these decisions herself. I'm so happy for her especially that she has chosen to wait.> > Well now, something has changed. Her 6th treatment has done something for the better. Her mood is really good, but it's finally really effecting her memory now...
> >
>
> -->So glad to get this news--yes! The memory will improve with time, bit by bit. So glad her mood has improved, so glad you'll get to see her pdoc too. Such a good sister you are, wonderful!
Posted by weatherfreak on October 1, 2010, at 4:15:58
In reply to Re: No 6 » ruby, posted by weatherfreak on October 1, 2010, at 0:35:49
I didn't go with her as she was super confident about her pdoc appt, in regards to getting a suitable anxiety med and refusing more treatments. He totally railroaded her in 2 mins, gave her nothing for her now chronic anxiety and is making her have 2 more treatments next week. Then kicked her out. I'm so angry I didn't end up going with her. He has been so amazingly good to her over the last 3 years and today he did this??????
Posted by ruby on October 1, 2010, at 11:25:55
In reply to Argh!!, posted by weatherfreak on October 1, 2010, at 4:15:58
Ahhh, a good brother--very wonderful. I am so sorry about her pdoc and how you sister was treated. Again, that stinks, really stinks. Hmmm...so two more treatments next week. I hope the weekend isn't lost in a fog of anxiety--don't understand why she wasn't given something for that. I hope the pdoc has a good reason. Any chance of you calling the pdoc for a conversation--my sister did that once for me and it was helpful.
Well, more thoughts and prayers on this...the journey continues.....
Posted by Phillipa on October 1, 2010, at 18:42:05
In reply to Argh!!, posted by weatherfreak on October 1, 2010, at 4:15:58
Seriously how horrible for her. Did or was she able to drive herself there? If so could she be doing better than you feel? Just a thought. No meds for anxiety not right to me. Phillipa
Posted by weatherfreak on October 1, 2010, at 20:44:30
In reply to Re: Argh!! » weatherfreak, posted by Phillipa on October 1, 2010, at 18:42:05
It's just around the corner from home so no driving is required, maybe a taxi if she's feeling bad, as we don't need cars where we live.
She has seroquel and seroquel XR for anxiety but it isn't doing a thing whatsoever. Seriously, I wouldn't let an animal suffer like this. If our cat was under the table shaking and scared for a couple of day it would be straight off to the vet!
I'm really angry at her pdoc, he's been so good to her over the last 3 years and now he's dismissing her anxiety claims. I'll call him next week if she doesn't improve
Posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2010, at 18:55:45
In reply to Re: Argh!! » Phillipa, posted by weatherfreak on October 1, 2010, at 20:44:30
How is your Sister today any better? Phillipa
Posted by weatherfreak on October 2, 2010, at 22:19:47
In reply to Re: Argh!! » weatherfreak, posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2010, at 18:55:45
She's gone away for the weekend and is actually doing really well, my sister and family live down the coast so she's gone to see them. She's having a great time
Posted by Phillipa on October 3, 2010, at 19:00:25
In reply to getting there, posted by weatherfreak on October 2, 2010, at 22:19:47
Now that is great news!!!! Phillipa
Posted by weatherfreak on October 3, 2010, at 20:53:34
In reply to Re: getting there » weatherfreak, posted by Phillipa on October 3, 2010, at 19:00:25
Well she is fantastic again at the moment, one more to go on Thursday and that's it. Her pdoc is really happy and most importantly, so is she!
I'm just hoping her anxiety doesn't come back. If it's going to, it will be in the next few hours. If her pdoc doesn't give her something for it, I am going to go in and ask him a simple question. How can you let someone suffer like this from pure anxiety. Her depression has gone, her racing thoughts have gone, she's just fantastic. Cross your fingers for her guys. Thanks again for all the support.
Posted by Phillipa on October 3, 2010, at 21:12:11
In reply to just back from #7, posted by weatherfreak on October 3, 2010, at 20:53:34
Fabulous fingers and toes crossed!!!! Phillipa
Posted by Ruby on October 3, 2010, at 21:54:13
In reply to just back from #7, posted by weatherfreak on October 3, 2010, at 20:53:34
Wonderful, wonderful news...yes, keeping everything crossed that the anxiety doesn't return. So happy for her and you, both!
Posted by weatherfreak on October 5, 2010, at 5:30:34
In reply to Re: just back from #7 » weatherfreak, posted by Ruby on October 3, 2010, at 21:54:13
Well it happened, the worst yet! She actually got so freaked out she hid in her bed while I was off seeing my pdoc. I came home to find her a sweating, trembling mess.
Aside from this anxiety she would be just fantastic. I'm just so stunned her pdoc wont give her anything for the next week and reassess. It's beyond a joke now. He's benzo phobic which is fine, so why can't he give her a stronger AP for a week or two because it doesn't matter how much seroquel she takes. It's not working. She has one more treatment on thursday.
Posted by Ruby on October 5, 2010, at 7:53:45
In reply to Re: just back from #7, posted by weatherfreak on October 5, 2010, at 5:30:34
Oh crap! Any chance you can call her pdoc and put in a word? I think you are right, even a short term scrip would help. Thinkin and prayin that she gets some relief soon...you both must be exhausted from that amount of anxiety.
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