My TMS Therapy update

[designguy]

Hello All, wanted to give you an update on my TMS therapy. I started on my second week of treatment today and am at the highest level of magnetic pulsing for me and everything is going well and I am feeling much better overall. Before i started the TMS my total for the PHQ -9 depression questionnaire was 16 and today it was 4 and on the GAD-7 questionnaire before it was 16 and to day it was 3 so i'm definitely improving and making progress. I think it is a combination of getting back on my original testosterone therapy and also the TMS plus using the coping/acceptance skills I have learned along the way. I'm really grateful that i'm able to have the TMS therapy done and that there is a treatment center near me for it and also that the majority of my cost for it is covered by Medicare with a small copay by me. So far I haven't experienced any side affects from the TMS like headache or fatigue and the time while doing it really goes by quickly. It does feel like someone is tapping away on your head and putting pressure on it and it is noisy but you wear ear plugs which helps. I found out the tapping is actually the magnetic pulses, so they are pretty powerful. For me the uncomfortable thing is it makes my teeth kind of hurt briefly when it pulsing but that is it. I will update again next week unless something new develops before then.

[LifeIsThePitts]

Yep. It does chatter the 🦷 teeth a tad at the higher level. I've bitten my cheek a bunch of times cuz me and my technician talk all thru the appointment most times.🤭I am so EXCITED to hear about the amazing improvement you're seeing. Isn't it just a miracle? Suddenly your brain feels like it's back "on". My eyesight even seems to improve. Being able to actually apply the skills and techniques we've been learning all these years but unable to carry out due to our relentless symptoms is also a revelation. I finally believed I wasn't actually lazy and unmotivated on purpose. When I'm in remission I'm fully engaged with my growth. When my brain stops working, it's not my fault and I need support from a medical standpoint that I can't provide for myself. Cancer doesn't treat itself neither can depression. That was my TMS epiphany. That's what I hope for you, too. Remission is achievable, I'm proof. I take no other meds. I vape medical marajuana.

Please keep us all posted ☺️ I love hearing about your updates.

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

Thanks much for the encouragement, I appreciate it and I will keep making updates. Yes. it's great to feel like my brain is working with me and i'm not struggling with it and I can engage in life. I totally agree with how critical it can be to do what we can to help ourselves optimize physically to enable our mental health to work fully too.

[Darkhouse]

Those are big improvements!!! So happy to hear that you're getting happy!!! Please keep the updates coming, this is fascinating!

[designguy in reply to Darkhouse]

Thanks for your support and encouragement and I will keep updating.

[Chinaadventure]

Good morning I did TMS therapy about 3 and 1/2 months ago in the beginning I did see some improvement. But then I did find my anxiety would heighten. I know TMS is mostly being used for depression but there's also research that it can help with anxiety. My doctor wants my medication change to be balanced out would like to try TMS on the right side. Has anybody ever done that?? I was not in a good head space when I was going for the TMS because my anxiety was very heightened so the thought of going back into that chair and having the treatment brings on stress and anxiety for me. That is why I think it's best for me to wait until my medication balance is out with the med change. So glad to hear that it worked for you and that you were finding success in the treatment. One day at a time one moment at a time we're all here for each other! Stay strong everyone! 🤞❤️🙏💪

[designguy in reply to Chinaadventure]

My primary issue has been more with anxiety than depression. The only med that directly affected my anxiety was klonopin (a benzo) which I no longer take but I have read where you can even take it while doing TMS for anxiety. My TMS is the Deep TMS and is also affective for anxiety and there is more growing awareness of it's effectiveness for it.

One thing I did a number of years ago was to do a psychopharmacological test that used my dna to determine which psych meds were best suited for me genetically. It helped take a lot of the guesswork out of the process. My test was from Genesight and paid for by my insurance.

I will keep updating and thanks for your support

[AnxiousSilver]

Please keep us updated, and I hope that it works out for you.

[designguy in reply to AnxiousSilver]

I will and thanks!

[Agora1]

designguy, I'm so happy to hear of your success with TMS therapy.

Wishing you continued success and please keep us updated. xx

[designguy]

Thank you Agora, I will keep updating, thanks for the support.