New and Sacred for the Future

[Scott1951]

This summer I had 36 treatments of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for my depression. It helped a lot. The depression is still there but TMS took away the heaviness of it. But since then I have been experiencing anxiety. In the mornings I wake up feeling hot, shaky and focused on some worry. I am afraid that anxiety may be the future for me. My psychiatrist put me on busbar (busporine). It was just too stimulating for me and did nothing for the anxiety so I went off of it. I am considering propranolol but am so afraid of another bad reaction like I had with busbar. I am also on the antidepressant pristiq. But it has been causing me to clench my teeth. My jar aches and one of my teeth has become so irritated that I went to the dentist thinking I had an abscess. What has been your experience with propranolol? Has anyone else experienced jaw pain with pristiq?

[Agora1]

Hi Scott1951, Propranolol is good in bringing down the anxious feeling by reducing the adrenaline levels. However it needs to be monitored by your doctor as to the correct dose since it brings down blood pressure as well. I think you will find it very helpful.

I'm more interested in the TMS therapy you had. Did that have to be done as in-patient? Is medication also used along with the treatment? At one time ECT was the way to go for deep depression that didn't respond to therapy or medication. My psychiatrist is now using a in office treatment known as Transdermal Electrical Neurostimulation Therapy. Based on the Tens Unit but meant for the brain. Ear clips placed on each lobe and intensity of the electrical stimulation adjusted by the doctor as you relax back for 15-20 minutes. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with medication.

60% success in most patients. Used for patients afraid to take medication or those needing that extra boost from what they are on. Thanks for sharing your success with TMS. We learn from each other through the forum as well as it being a safe place to come for support. Good Luck with the Propranolol.

[Scott1951 in reply to Agora1]

Hi Agora1. I'm totally unfamiliar with Transdermal Electrical Neurostimulation Therapy. I will look it up. Hope it works for you. TMS was done as an out-patient. I think it is definitely worth looking into if your insurance will pay for it. I think direct stimulation of the brain is probably the wave of the future. In time, they will probably find even more effective ways of doing it, but in the meanwhile, TMS is the cutting edge. Always appreciate your posts. Take care

[Stilltrying_]

Really interesting thread. I am educating myself! (had never heard of either of these)

It's so good to have a community where we can share information like this. Gemma