9/28/98 11:04 AM
hi, all!
i'm not sure if you recall, but 2 weeks ago i put out a message about shock
therapy (ect). my mother, barbara (52/7), was about to have it done as an
inpatient at columbia presbyterian hosp. in nyc.
well, i thought i'd update everyone on her condition, as it might interest
many of you for whom "conventional" meds are not working. it's also a
positive story, which is always a great thing!
well, she's had 4 "treatments," as of yesterday, and she is a changed person!
it's really true, and i'm not a melodramatic person. before she started she
was extremely depressed, suffered from anxiety and stress disorder, and had
very little will to live. although she's never suffered from tremors, she had
severe problems with her mobility, and needed help from her aide to do
anything, especially help her in the bathroom. of course, she was also
nervous about the procedure-- she would be having general anesthesia and was
concerned, but vowed she would "do anything to feel just a little bit
happier."
i'm happy to report that now she is 180 degrees from there. she's still in
the hospital, and will have 9 treatments in total (as of now, according to her
psychiatrist and neurologist, who are working closely together) over the
course of the next 2 weeks. but she is now cheery, conversational and social,
talking about the future, and physically changed as well. her walking has
vastly improved, she can get up from her chair without help, and just looks
terrific! it's like we have our "old mom" back.
needless to say, my family and i are shocked at how well she has improved from
the ect. even the doctors are surprised! of course, we are realistic about
it- and will prepare ourselves in case she has any mild setbacks, but we are
really in shock over her incredible change. her neuro now wants to increase
her sinemet, which was causing her delusional behavior and anxiety before. he
feels that now her brain can handle the increase and improve her physical
symptoms even more.
i'm not saying ect is for everyone, but it might be something for some of you
to investigate, especially if you suffer severely emotionally, part or in full
from parkinsons. by the way, she said that the treatments are not nearly as
scary as she anticipated.
i'll keep you all posted, in case there are any other relevant changes.
thanks for listening! on a personal note, arlene teichberg-- did you get my
e-mail?? i think you know my mother personally! please respond to me at
[log in to unmask]
nancy
Special
Announcement
