Depression and ECT 8

I've suffered from depression since I was a pre-teen. In 2012 I got very sick, becoming suicidal. In 2013 I decided to try ElectroConvulsive Therapy. The "Depression" series of blog posts chronicles that process.

To start the Depression series at the beginning, click here: http://ittybittycrazy.squarespace.com/imported-data/2013/12/29/depression-1.html
#depression
#ECT

The psychiatrist has put me on Lithium, hoping that will make the effects of the ECT stick. I feel lighter, brighter, after treatment, but it fades away.

I feel a little bit at sea with this process. My psychiatrist is one of two who alternate taking care of ECT treatment, so I often see the other psychiatrist. Even when my psychiatrist is on duty, we don't have a lot of time to talk in the treatment room. It's a bit of an ECT production line. In -- zap! -- out! -- next! -- in! -- zap!

I'd really like to just sit down and have an hour with my psychiatrist and discuss what's going on and where we are. But it seems as if they want to get the seizure treatment over and done with and then assess.

After a month of treatment three times a week, I am cleared to go back to work and I'll have treatment every Friday for another month. That means another month of not being allowed to drive.

I suspect that the psychiatrist will want to wean me off some of my other meds pretty soon.

I guess I just have to be patient and wait until we get to the Friday only stage, and ask for an office consultation during that time.

Sigh.

To start the Depression series at the beginning, click here: http://ittybittycrazy.squarespace.com/imported-data/2013/12/29/depression-1.html

#depression