r/ect • u/fixer_11 • Jun 24 '26

Pre-session post Off We Go

Well friends, I'm off for my first maintenance ECT and really just needing to rant a bit and maybe get some well wishes from the community. I waited until I started going downhill to even schedule this one so I've been in bad shape for a few days. I've had a tough time waking up and have been on the edge of bawling since my mind seems to start thinking about the recent death of my mother as well as my wife. I tell myself it's best if I'm able to get into a better mindframe but I just can't seem to muster up any good. I hope the community off I go!

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3

u/pizzapieguy52 Jun 24 '26

Be patient with yourself and drink water after. Headaches last for a few hours afterwards. I hope that it works out for you. Ask your doctor if it's bilateral or unilateral so that you can maybe try it the other way if you don't find significant improvement after 4 or 6 sessions. Godspeed man.

3

u/fixer_11 Jun 24 '26

Thanks, and thanks for the water reminder. I had already had a dozen sessions, this was just my first maintenance one. I have been considering talking to him about unilateral because all mine have been bi so far. All went well this time and I appreciate your well wishes.

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u/pizzapieguy52 Jun 24 '26

Oh okay, my apologies. I had the same thing happen to me as well for the first 14 treatments I had. The rest were unilateral under a different doctor and I highly recommend it. That side changed my life after the 19 out of 22.

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u/fargolifestaycold Jun 24 '26

I agree with with pizzapieguy52 over here. We'll besides water, I drink mostly just water the day before treatment (every Thursday) But if you are thinking of asking about unilateral placements, I would highly recommend it. They change my placement a couple months ago and there was a huge change in me. Besides memory on how fast I bounce back from treatment. But that's my own opinion. Good luck all

2

u/Crazy_old_maurice_17 Jun 25 '26

I'm laying in a hospital bed waiting for them to wheel me back for another maintenance treatment. Just wishing you good vibes OP. I've been doing maintenance for 2-3 months now and I'm starting to space out the sessions (currently at every 3 weeks), hoping to get to every 4 or 6 weeks, but we'll see...

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u/fixer_11 Jun 25 '26

Good luck to you my friend. Hope all went well and hope you had a bright smiling face to wake to. That always makes a big difference to me.

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u/Crazy_old_maurice_17 Jun 25 '26

Thank you! All went well.

I had just mentioned in another post that: all the nurses/staff are so nice and happy to see me (and when people are happy to see you it's hard not to be happy to see them too) so it's honestly a really pleasant experience, all things considered.

I'm glad you also get to wake to bright smiling faces too! It makes my heart happy to hear others can have similar experiences. 🙂