Thundercats: Form of Help for Ed!
Donation protected
Here goes: my darling husband is a private man who married a woman who is the opposite. We married fifteen years ago and in the few years after, Ed was diagnosed with Bipolar 2. I wrote a memoir about it and together, Ed and I told our story, his story, the story of our marriage and our family. He knows I am doing this and is as OK with it as he can be. It's not what anyone would want but we are lucky to have an option like this.
In the last ten years, Ed has tried (it seems like) every medication under the sun to treat his grueling and debilitating depression. I have paid for the most expensive psychiatrist I could find in town with the best recommendations and Ed followed his prescription to a T. He has gone to hypnosis and done daily walks with me. He takes targeted supplements for inflammation and brain health. We have budgeted for any treatment that seemed like it might work. Nothing worked.
Unfortunately Ed's bipolar depressions are non-responsive to treatment, including therapy and nutritional and lifestyle interventions. I have watched with so much pride and respect as he worked his ass off at his physically demanding job for 45 to 50 hours a week, stick to a very disciplined sleep schedule, and dutifully take the pills that give him no relief.
Ed's depression has only grown worse in the last five years, which is common. Time wears on a person. Even the strongest people get tired when life is a constant battle just to get through the day. Ed has moments where he feels better, an hour here or there, half a day at the beach where he's smiling and seems OK, and then comes home and can't move for three days. The truth is that he is a brave and beautiful man who is suffering.
The reality must be said so you understand why we are asking for help: for the last five years, Ed has spent 90% of his time unable to interact or emotionally engage with his family. He works and comes home and usually cannot move or talk, and then falls asleep. Many nights he can't get himself to eat at the table or talk to the kids about their day. Anyone who had loved someone with depression knows how hard it is on children. And how hard it is on the person who is depressed, because Ed does everything in his power to get better, and yet he remains profoundly depressed.
In my ongoing research I have come across hope: THE THING THAT SHALL NOT BE NAMED. I will link to articles below. Here are the bulletin points:
1. TTTSNBN works for many people who have bipolar depression (or depression, or anxiety- it often also works for nerve pain) who have not responded to any other medications.
Here is the doctor we have chosen: I had to remove this link for GFM rules.
2. The anesthesiologist I found has a 86% success rate, and half of that 86% experienced total remission of depression.
3. TTTSNBN is being called 'the next great thing in psychiatry ' and 'a miracle ' by many experts in the field.
4. There are no long terms studies on TTTSNBN. We will have to be very careful of Ed's liver and kidneys and cleanses will be on the roster.
5. No one knows how TTTSNBN will work for an individual. We have done the consultation with the doctor and after our interview, he said Ed perfectly fits the profile of a patient who will respond to it.
6. Some people take 'boosters' every few months, then every six months, etc. as they recover. Cheaper routes for follow-ups can be considered, such as nasal spray. There is no 'one path' for this so far.
7. The side effects observed so far have been harmless, though uncomfortable: nausea, dizziness, or non-response to the treatment.
8. TTTSNBN is not covered by insurance.
THE MONEY
The doctor does six treatments at $500 each, infusions while he is the room. The doctor is credentialed here in San Diego.
The initial appointment is $250.
This equals the amount requested.
THANK YOU
I would be so grateful if you would consider donating whatever you can to assist my husband in coming back to his family.
We do not have credit cards due to my medical bills (WITH INSURANCE) and if we were to save for this, Ed would have to be sick for another year-and-half or so. I decided to ask for help and Ed agreed.
I have donated to Go Fund Me's at least once a month for the last few years. Please know that I always give back. I always pay it forward. I believe in community.
Thank you <3
Love,
The Ethridge-Curry Family
In the last ten years, Ed has tried (it seems like) every medication under the sun to treat his grueling and debilitating depression. I have paid for the most expensive psychiatrist I could find in town with the best recommendations and Ed followed his prescription to a T. He has gone to hypnosis and done daily walks with me. He takes targeted supplements for inflammation and brain health. We have budgeted for any treatment that seemed like it might work. Nothing worked.
Unfortunately Ed's bipolar depressions are non-responsive to treatment, including therapy and nutritional and lifestyle interventions. I have watched with so much pride and respect as he worked his ass off at his physically demanding job for 45 to 50 hours a week, stick to a very disciplined sleep schedule, and dutifully take the pills that give him no relief.
Ed's depression has only grown worse in the last five years, which is common. Time wears on a person. Even the strongest people get tired when life is a constant battle just to get through the day. Ed has moments where he feels better, an hour here or there, half a day at the beach where he's smiling and seems OK, and then comes home and can't move for three days. The truth is that he is a brave and beautiful man who is suffering.
The reality must be said so you understand why we are asking for help: for the last five years, Ed has spent 90% of his time unable to interact or emotionally engage with his family. He works and comes home and usually cannot move or talk, and then falls asleep. Many nights he can't get himself to eat at the table or talk to the kids about their day. Anyone who had loved someone with depression knows how hard it is on children. And how hard it is on the person who is depressed, because Ed does everything in his power to get better, and yet he remains profoundly depressed.
In my ongoing research I have come across hope: THE THING THAT SHALL NOT BE NAMED. I will link to articles below. Here are the bulletin points:
1. TTTSNBN works for many people who have bipolar depression (or depression, or anxiety- it often also works for nerve pain) who have not responded to any other medications.
Here is the doctor we have chosen: I had to remove this link for GFM rules.
2. The anesthesiologist I found has a 86% success rate, and half of that 86% experienced total remission of depression.
3. TTTSNBN is being called 'the next great thing in psychiatry ' and 'a miracle ' by many experts in the field.
4. There are no long terms studies on TTTSNBN. We will have to be very careful of Ed's liver and kidneys and cleanses will be on the roster.
5. No one knows how TTTSNBN will work for an individual. We have done the consultation with the doctor and after our interview, he said Ed perfectly fits the profile of a patient who will respond to it.
6. Some people take 'boosters' every few months, then every six months, etc. as they recover. Cheaper routes for follow-ups can be considered, such as nasal spray. There is no 'one path' for this so far.
7. The side effects observed so far have been harmless, though uncomfortable: nausea, dizziness, or non-response to the treatment.
8. TTTSNBN is not covered by insurance.
THE MONEY
The doctor does six treatments at $500 each, infusions while he is the room. The doctor is credentialed here in San Diego.
The initial appointment is $250.
This equals the amount requested.
THANK YOU
I would be so grateful if you would consider donating whatever you can to assist my husband in coming back to his family.
We do not have credit cards due to my medical bills (WITH INSURANCE) and if we were to save for this, Ed would have to be sick for another year-and-half or so. I decided to ask for help and Ed agreed.
I have donated to Go Fund Me's at least once a month for the last few years. Please know that I always give back. I always pay it forward. I believe in community.
Thank you <3
Love,
The Ethridge-Curry Family
Organizer
Maggie May Ethridge
Organizer
Poway, CA
