Electro Convulsive Therapy for depression?

[Sarah.VanDistel]

Hijra are common in your culture, I would think that it wouldn't be so out of place. Didn't India just pass a third gender law? What province are you from?


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Gertrude, that's true, but as far as I know, despite the legal recognition, hijras are still very much discriminated in Indian society and most must live from begging or prostitution. Knowing a little bit Saira, I don't think that's an option...
Hugs, Sarah

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[Saira128]

       Its over, I did it, I feel great after the catharsis. I started answering questions, and I didn't feel any hesitancy. I don't remember when I slept, its funny, weird even.
        When I woke up, my mom was there with me. We talked.

[LizK]

..and how did the talk go...are they going to get you the help you need?

[Saira128]

..and how did the talk go...are they going to get you the help you need?

Atleast, now, they know what I feel.
   My dad used female pronouns today while talking about me. I heard it.

[AnonyMs]

It sounds like it's working out quite positively.

That you can take a drug and the effect is on them says a lot about being trans.

[LizK]

Atleast, now, they know what I feel.
   My dad used female pronouns today while talking about me. I heard it.

Great news what a change that has been

[Sarah.VanDistel]

Fantastic news, Saira! Super happy for you! :-)

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[Saira128]

Thanks...it really felt great. They still want me to continue wth the ECT though. Although, they have begun to accept the reality.
     I think hrt is not far away now.

[AnonyMs]

With any luck HRT will resolve your depression, as it does for many of us, and you won't need to look at any other treatments.

I notice that India's one of the few countries where doctors don't have to perform ECT under general anesthetic. Bad enough with GA, but that's basically torture. I have to say I find this entire topic quite disturbing to discuss. Regardless of the GA you could end up permanently damaged from this.

[Michelle_P]

Atleast, now, they know what I feel.
   My dad used female pronouns today while talking about me. I heard it.

Oh, Saira, that is wonderful news.  I really hope that you will be able to receive proper treatment now.

[Saira128]

With any luck HRT will resolve your depression, as it does for many of us, and you won't need to look at any other treatments.

I notice that India's one of the few countries where doctors don't have to perform ECT under general anesthetic. Bad enough with GA, but that's basically torture. I have to say I find this entire topic quite disturbing to discuss. Regardless of the GA you could end up permanently damaged from this.

They are goint to use GA

[ElliotHarrison]

I've been doing ECT on and off for a few years and it has drastically improved my mood. For me, the side effects are minimal. I usually have a slight headache after the treatment and I have experienced memory loss a few times, but it's not too bad. It's honestly a life saver imo. It's helped with my depression so much and I'm so glad I decided to do it


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[Rees1281]

ECT is still used as a potential treatment for severe depression usually with psychosis.  It's a last line treatment for those who haven't responded to antidepressant medication.  While it is unknown how it works the prevailing opinion is that it increases the circulating numbers of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

The main side effect is retrograde amnesia.  There is also potential for permanent memory loss.  Its mortality rate is 2-4 out of 100,000. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acps.12721/full

Anytime it is done in modern medicine is should be carried out with anesthesia and paralytics so that the patient does not remember the procedure.

[Saira128]

I am undergoing ECT and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on alternate days. Haven't experienced any improvement in my mood yet.
      Even simple things like losing in a video game make me depressed. I don't know what to do anymore.

[AnonyMs]

Try HRT.

[Michelle_P]

I am undergoing ECT and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on alternate days. Haven't experienced any improvement in my mood yet.
      Even simple things like losing in a video game make me depressed. I don't know what to do anymore.

Saira, my lay opinion is that for many transgender folks the depression and anxiety are not due to a brain chemistry problem, but to the very real concerns we have about acceptance and rejection by others, and the constant internal discomfort of gender dysphoria.  HRT is an effective treatment at reducing gender dysphoria, and the reduction happens well before any permanent changes.

I would try very hard to raise this again with your doctor, suggesting it as an alternative treatment or if they won't go with that, as an addition to your current treatment. In my own opinion the risk is low with HRT, and in my experience the reward can be quite high. 

My experience had the depression and anxiety receding for significant periods of the day starting about two weeks in, and after two months the reduced dysphoria and recession of anxiety and depression were my new normal. 

I would very much hope that the folks treating you would be willing to at least listen to some feedback from their patient.

[Saira128]

I'm feeling a bit better since the past few days. I guess, the ECT and r-TMS worked.
I talked about hrt with my parents.
       I am overweight, and it seems I can't start hrt till I reduce my weight.
      So I have a very long wait.

[AnonyMs]

I've been overweight and had no trouble getting HRT from my endo. I believe the stress of being trans and not on HRT is far more dangerous than being overweight on HRT.

Regardless, I'd try get a promise of HRT if you lose weight, then use that as motivation to actually do so.

[Saira128]

I have memory loss too.

I've been doing ECT on and off for a few years and it has drastically improved my mood. For me, the side effects are minimal. I usually have a slight headache after the treatment and I have experienced memory loss a few times, but it's not too bad. It's honestly a life saver imo. It's helped with my depression so much and I'm so glad I decided to do it


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[Rees1281]

I have memory loss too.

It is an unfortunate side effect.