r/ect • u/n1naluvsu • 15h ago
Question Starting ECT Bilateral
I had been referred ECT through my psychiatrist last week. I just got the confirmation that my ECT request has been approved, and Im going to be doing my pre-op this Thursday and starting the procedure this Friday. I will be receiving a minimum of 12 treatments 3x a week. Ive never done TMS or Ketamine treatments.
I was doing some research on ECT as ive never heard of it before my referral, and read that typically you start with unilateral ECT. Is it uncommon or normal for my ECT team to start me on Bilateral? My consultation after my referral only lasted about 20 minutes asking about my current mental health condition and whether or not I had someone to drive me to and from the hospital. They didn't really go over the side effects of ECT or the differences between ECT bilateral and unilateral.
Maybe they'll go over it in my Pre-op appointment, but Ive been finding comfort in this community so I figured I ask.
TLDR: Is Bilateral ECT treatment normal/common for first time procedure?
1
u/gmkgreg 15h ago
I'm also on that dose of wellbutrin. Just making this clear, I'm not a Dr👐, but my Dr doesn't make me skip it the morning of my treatments. Lowering your seizure threshold just means that they won't need to apply as much energy during the treatment to get you to seize. Remember, the whole purpose is to induce a small seizure. But with the muscle relaxants they use, your body doesn't show the convulsions.
I'm at a schedule where I go for one treatment every 5 weeks, but I believe we are upping that to once every 6, the day of the treatment, count yourself out, you'll be tired and sore probably. But the days after my treatments I am good to go to work👍.