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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by snapper on June 15, 2004, at 18:24:19
Hi, everyone, I am finally going to get another round of ECT treatments , starting tommorow....hopeful but still terified at the same time! My panic and anxiety are so bad that I am virtually sleepless and I can't take anthing tonight to sleep. Drs. orders. I know that my depression had pretty good remission when I had my first series about 3 years ago but it did'nt seem to do much for my anxiety disorders-why should it? I am seriously scared that I may have a panic emergency while they put me out to do the procedure and I have thoughts like 'what if I try to pull out the IV or I totally freak out while they are trying to administer it. what if thought suck! I know they are going to give me several meds to induce muscle relaxation, etc. I know that my fears are just anxiety but it is killing me. Today I had a pre-ect workup...Blood workup, EKG, etc and I could not relax when they were drawing blood and it was sheer agony trying to be still during the EKG...they must have thought I was a freak.I can barely eat and have almost constant mental agitation and full body tension and I feel like I am going to lose it most of the time, but I know this is not an option.I can't stop my thoughts and feel like this is going to be my life. (mental water torture) what if my anxiety is so severe that they can't do the procedure? I will quit rambling and thasnks for listening. I just need some serious peace of mind(even if temporary) Has anybody ever been like this. I also fear that I may die during the procedure. help!!! anybody
snapper
Posted by ghost on June 15, 2004, at 21:49:05
In reply to Severe Anxiety ! ECT......help!!!! (longish), posted by snapper on June 15, 2004, at 18:24:19
I've never gone through ECT, so I can only imagine what kind of stress you are under right now. But I'd like to say that the people who did your workups today are all professionals and have seen it all... and they also understand that everything you're going through right now is very scary and uncertain, and i'm sure they were not surprised or upset in any way.
i'm proud of you for going through another round of treatments and being willing to subject yourself to the unpleasantness that is to come-- because you know that it could very well work. deep down, i think you know this is a good decision, because it worked once before. the anxiety and other feelings you're having (like a fear of death) are all completely normal-- albeit maybe slightly amplified, but still very normal-- because you're going into the hospital to have a scary procedure done.
but good for you for having the guts to go through it.
i'm sure tonight will be a long one for you, but i'll hope that you're able to get some sleep tonight, because you'll need to be well rested. i also hope that you're able to find a way to calm down (even if it's just posting some freewriting on here!) and relax at least a little bit through the night. perhaps once you get to the hospital and are surrounded by kind, caring professionals, your anxiety will subside at least a little.
i do hope you go through with the procedure (and I think you will0... the anxiety (should) pass, but just remember that it's normal to be upset and nervous before a major medical procedure.
good luck tomorrow. and do try to take a bubble bath and get some rest tonight.
loving thoughts,
ghost
Posted by Dinah on June 15, 2004, at 22:36:30
In reply to Severe Anxiety ! ECT......help!!!! (longish), posted by snapper on June 15, 2004, at 18:24:19
You might want to post your question on the medication board as well. I *think* Dr. Bob considers ECT to be an acceptable topic there, and I'm pretty sure there are a number of posters who have posted on the topic before. You might want to check the archives as well.
Posted by snapper on June 15, 2004, at 23:15:27
In reply to Re: Severe Anxiety ! ECT......help!!!! (longish) » snapper, posted by Dinah on June 15, 2004, at 22:36:30
> You might want to post your question on the medication board as well. I *think* Dr. Bob considers ECT to be an acceptable topic there, and I'm pretty sure there are a number of posters who have posted on the topic before. You might want to check the archives as well.
Dinah I don't know how to repost this same meesage to the meds. board because of cognitive problems. can you help? thanks
snapper
Posted by snapper on June 15, 2004, at 23:24:38
In reply to Re: Severe Anxiety ! ECT......help!!!! (longish) » snapper, posted by Dinah on June 15, 2004, at 22:36:30
I know i have a long night ahead of me because of horrible insomnia, suicidal ideation, trying to keep my mind off of things-I do have family support and they told me to wake them up if i just needed to talk-they understand the gravity of my hoplessness to a degree but i know you guys are a part of my lifeline too. just need lots of posite feedback.thanks
snapper
Posted by Dinah on June 15, 2004, at 23:29:56
In reply to Re: Severe Anxiety ! ECT......help!!!! (longish) » Dinah, posted by snapper on June 15, 2004, at 23:15:27
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040614/msgs/357095.html
I have my fingers crossed that Dr. Bob will consider it the correct board. :)
You can search the archives by using the little google search thing at the bottom of this page, and limiting the search to this site.
Posted by snapper on June 16, 2004, at 0:13:08
In reply to Re: Here's a link » snapper, posted by Dinah on June 15, 2004, at 23:29:56
This is the end of the thread.
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