TMS

[Catsamaze]

Hi. I’m considering TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) as a possible adjunct treatment for depression. Has anyone had any experience with it? Thanks!

[Missy_D]

Have no experience but just wanted to say good luck (if you go with it) xx

[littlenam]

I’ve done it twice! (36 rounds each time, over the course of about 6 weeks).

The first time, I felt a big shift, but to be honest - that might have been because I had one thing I HAD to do every day that wasn’t work. The sessions themselves were pleasant for me, it didn’t hurt and it wasn’t super loud and I would talk with my nurse the whole time. I wasn’t sure if my mood improved from the TMS or from all the things surrounding it (socializing, leaving work early, spending time outside before/after sessions, etc). But my mood did improve.

The second time I did it, I didn’t notice as much of a difference, but at that point I was extremely depressed and needed a different treatment.

The thing is, if your insurance covers it or it’s not hard for you to pay, you should aaaabsolutely try it. For some people it’s a literal miracle. Some people feel better right away, others start feeling better months later. It’s something I’m glad I tried and it introduced me to alternatives to treating my depression and anxiety.

Good luck and feel free to ask me any questions, and update us if you end up going!

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to littlenam]

Thank you for your kind reply! Did you find a treatment that ultimately did work for you over the long haul?

[littlenam in reply to Catsamaze]

I felt the effects almost immediately, but I don’t think it lasted very long. I think it would have lasted longer if I had been doing more alongside the TMS - more regular therapy, taking better care of myself, etc.

So I guess it didn’t really help long-term, but it’s hard to estimate how much it did for me. I know things seemed to get better during and for a few months after the sessions. So for me it wasn’t a miracle or a magic pill, but it did help me keep my head above water during some dark times.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to littlenam]

By the way, “theta burst” accelerated TMS is now available......the treatment course is about 5 days....

[littlenam in reply to Catsamaze]

ohhh interesting! They did some theta burst with me (kind of “under the table”) when I did my regular TMS. This is good to know though so I can go back for a booster session at some point without having to go every day for 6 weeks.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to littlenam]

If I go ahead with it I’ll let you know how it goes.....

[Nothing_but_books in reply to littlenam]

Hi,

I've been looking up posts on TMS, and I read your post that said "at that point I was extremely depressed and needed a different treatment". I am in such bad shape and desperately trying to find something, anything. Was it your experience that TMS is not useful when you are "extremely depressed"? What is?

Thanks.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Hi there. I never did try TMS and I heard the same thing....that it doesn’t work so well with severe depression, which I had. But it may be worth a try. It’s so frustrating that what works for some of us doesn’t work for others, but that’s how I’ve found this illness to be....

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Catsamaze]

Thanks. I hope "which I had" means you are feeling improved.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Thank you What I should have said is that I was experiencing a severe episode of depression at the time. I didn't mean to imply that I had "gotten over" depression; as we all know, it is a lifelong condition that can be effectively managed but unfortunately not eradicated. What I can say is that I am feeling better from this last episode, and I am thankful for that. And I wish the same for you in the very near future. {HUGS}

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Catsamaze]

Thank you for the clarification.

[NiBa5]

Hello

I did rTMS and dTMS. Tec told me it's more effective for people who are mildly or moderately depressed. But it's not so effective for people who are severely depressed.

In my case , I didn't feel any miracle effect when I completed but i started getting better slowly several months later....so it may have helped me. But I've also been on Prozac for a year so I cannot say which one did what???

Everybody is different. That's what Tec told me.

Good luck!!! Hugs

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to NiBa5]

Thank you so much for responding, Niba! I decided, at least for the time being, not to do TMS. Other things have been working for me. I’m glad you are feeling better. It is frustrating not to know what is making you feel better but the key is that you do! Thanks again

[NiBa5 in reply to Catsamaze]

Thank you for responding. I hope youre getting better. It's not easy to get rid of depression....and it takes time. Hugs

[Hb2003]

My brother has had it for autism it helped a lot