Scared!

Avatar for careyfeel
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2003
Scared!
4
Sat, 03-18-2006 - 3:01pm
I am BP 2.I am on Cymbalta. Lamictal, Lithium and Trazodone.I was hps[ita;ized ;ast year and may have to be hoapitalized again soon.Has anyone here ever had ECT? Was it useful? What are the side effects? Do you have to be hospitalized to have it done? Does anyone know what lithium toxicity it? Thank you. careyfeel
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2002
In reply to: careyfeel
Sat, 03-18-2006 - 6:59pm

I have never had ECT, but I have seen others who have, and with them it worked wonders. The main side f-ect I know of is some memory loss, but if you need it, the memory loss would be worth it IMHO. I am not sure if you have to be hospitalized for it, I don't think my sister was.

Li toxicity is when you have enough Li in your bloodstream to poison you. Usually it occurs when the level is higher than the therapeutic range, but I have heard of people getting it within the therapeutic range if their bodies do not tolerate Li well. A major symptom of that that I know of is massive puking. It is very dangerous- if you think this is happening to you, you need to get to the ER.

Good luck, and express!
Beth "Petrouchka"

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
In reply to: careyfeel
Sun, 03-19-2006 - 2:25pm

I've known 2 people with BP that had ECT (both due to severe depression), both had memory loss afterwords--one very severely, so much so that she said she wouldn't do it again; however, the other had very mild problems and said she wished she'd done is ages ago.

Avatar for careyfeel
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2003
In reply to: careyfeel
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 3:45pm
Marci:
Thank you for answering my questions.I think we are going to hold off on "ECT" for a little while and see if medication works. I do not think I have lithium toxicity but someone mentioned the possibility to me.The worse problem I have with Lithium is nausea when I do not enough when I take it.I do keep hydrated and I have to know where every bathroom is; I also have spastic bladder which is a "double whammy." I currently take Cymbalta , Lithium, Lamictal and Trazodone(these are the psych. med). I take several different meds for other health problems.The psych. doc would like to put me on a small dose of an anti-psychotic med. but in the past I have had bad reactions to them.
Let me introduce myself. I am a 56 year old Mother and wife and Is live in Maryland.We have 2 sons: my older son will be 31 in April. He and his wife live in New Jersey.He is actually my step-son whom I have raised since the age of 6(His Mom died when he was 2). He is ADHD and had behavioral problems relating to his Mom's death; he is our"challange" child.
Our younger son is 22 and attends grad. school at Bowling Green State University. He is very intelligent and bright.He went to college on loans and scholarships.He has had juvenile arthritis since he was 8 and was diagnosed with firomyalgia at age 12.He is doing very well now.In the last three years he has lost over 100 pounds and was able to no longer have to use his cane last year. He also suffers from depression
My husband and I have been married 24 years.My husband is a devoted Father and husban, but is very controlling.
I have suffered from major depression off and on since college(probably before then; I just did not realize it).This bout has been particulary long and serious. Last May I was admitted to a mental health facility for six days.There I was diagnosed as bi-polar 2. I also was having a severe reaction to Abilify and had to be taken off of it quickly. I worked part-time as a cashier at Rite Aid for 4 years,but had to quit when I went into the hospital. I was a day care center teacher until I got pregnant with our son./I did not return to work until he was a senior in high school.
In addition to my emotional problems.I have hypopthyroidism due to thyroid nodules, high chlorestol, frequent migraines,Barretts esophagus,IBS and arthritis(I had a total knee replacement 2 years ago; I will probably have to have my other knee replaced. I guess I am just a "wreck."
In August I was admitted to the hospital with a severe STAPH infection.I had three surgeries, was in ICU for four days and in the hospital for nine.I almoet died and there was a possibility my arm would have to be amputated.Fortunately everything worked out and the only lasting effect of the ordeal is a huge scar.
I am working with the Department of Rehabilitation and Alliance fo Mental Health to find a new part-time job(I do not know if it going to work out right now because I feel so bad). Thank again for you help. HUGS! Fran
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
In reply to: careyfeel
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 6:58pm

Fran,


Isn't is amazing how we start falling apart after a "certain" age?