Need to know about ect treatment.?!
Question: brother has mental heath problems.was in st.ray's hosptial for problems .was working with him then was told he needed 10 treatments of this ect .he has heart problems and metal rod in his backand a pacemaker.was told he would only have a very bad headach
Answers: brother has mental heath problems.was in st.ray's hosptial for problems .was working with him then was told he needed 10 treatments of this ect .he has heart problems and metal rod in his backand a pacemaker.was told he would only have a very bad headach
ECT is now a very safe procedure. First, they will give your brother a drug (Atropine) that decreases secretions (like saliva). Then, right before the treatment, they give a very short acting barbituate (usually Brevital) that will act like instant anesthesia (he won't be awake). At the same time, they give succinycholine which basically paralyzes the patient (so they won't actually have the physical effects of a seizure). As the patient is basically paralyzed, they are also on 100% oxygen to provide oxygen to the body (they aren't breathing on their own).
While this sounds like a lot...it's all very quick and ECT is very successful with majorly depressed people not responding to medicine. The most common side effects are immediate headache and short-term memory loss. Memory is usually fully regained in a few months.
Now, regarding your brother. Are you sure no one was with him? That is a definite violation of the procedure. I do not believe the back rod is a concern, though I really don't know about the pacemaker. I do know that patients who have had a heart attack are not usually given ECT. I do not specifically know about pacemakers, though. Because this was not mentioned in my lectures, and heart attacks were, I would assume that unless he has the pacemaker because he had a heart attack, then the pacemaker is okay.
I hope this helps. ECT really can improve the quality of someone's life drastically. As long as they do it right. Just double check that they are following procedure. Good luck.
With, a pacemaker, should avoid any strong electromagnetic fields. Stronger electrical field about 6 to 12 inches or more. Also check with the Dr that placed the device and check with the handbook for the pacemaker. My understanding your brother will be given a muscle relaxer. Wait a minute, the heart is a muscle!! I would ask more questions on this procedure for your brothers sake. Good luck.