My TMS journey update

[designguy]

Hello All again, because of a national holiday yesterday the clinic was closed so I started my fourth week of treatment today and wanted to continue with the updates. My score for the PHQ-9 was 0 today as well as 0 for the GAD-7, I think the therapy is going extremely well for me obviously. I feel so much calmer, and engaged with life and it's like someone turned the dial way down on the static in my brain and there is barely any there. I still have had no side affects from the therapy and I look forward to going into the clinic for the treatment. I will be doing daily treatments the rest of this week and then starting to taper down to 2 per week for awhile and then tapering down to fewer. My goal and hope is that my improved wellbeing continues and I am able to maintain it when the TMS is finished. I'm so glad I have been able to do this therapy and happy with the results so far, so to be continued...

[LifeIsThePitts]

What a great result! Zeros on your assessments are incredible. What an accomplishment. Is this your second 36 session TMS course? How long between your first and second rounds were you symptom free? If I don't do maintenance sessions, my brain reverts to the default setting of TRD within 3-4 months. Wondering what your 'cycle' looks like in comparison. Can't wait to hear more updates.

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

Thanks but no, this is my first round with TMS, and so far i've had 17 sessions. I would like to think it will be my only round needed but we will see. I've also been making sure my hormones (testosterone) and thyroid are working optimally because I think a holistic approach is required especially for those of us who lack reserves of feel-good neurotransmitters. I will keep updating my progress, hope you are doing well.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

Gotcha 😉I hope you never need another session after you're stable, too. I only wish it was more permanent for me too. At least I know it works. That's the best news

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

Thanks, it definitely works, wished it lasted longer for you.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

Me too! I was hoping against hope that 1 TMS series would "cure" me. But that was a LONG shot. 48+ years of mental illness doesn't just miraculously disappear one day. But knowing I have a treatment is worth it's weight in gold. I'll gladly pay for treatment for the rest of my life. Maybe I'll just buy a TMS machine and stick it in my living room. What an awesome investment that would be!!

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

I just checked, you can buy a TMS unit used on ebay for anywhere from $12,000 to over 50,000. dollars pretty amazing. I would imagine the electric bill is going to be prety high too. I'm curious, have you looked into or tried the Fisher Wallace stimulator?

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

Ironically YES!!! That's the alternative to TMS that I opted for in approx 2009-2010, at my husband's suggestion, when TMS wasn't in Vegas yet. I still have it. It's not magnetic pulses, it's electrical pulses. I used it very consistently for many years but it doesn't elicit nearly the same response as TMS. Cannot compare the results in the same level What so ever as TMS.

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

You are an adventurous lady, good for you. That is what I surmised about the Fisher/Wallace device, hopefully in the near future someone will develop a at home affordable TMS unit with some horsepower.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

Always thinking outside the box. Never been one to go with the flow. For our level of depression symptoms it's just not powerful enough to be therapeutic. That's why we're doing TMS I guess 🤷

I'm on board for the home TMS machine. Sign me up now.

[TangledUpIn in reply to designguy]

I'm hoping you don't mind me jumping in the convo 🙃 I tried the Fisher Wallace stimulator and found the results to be mild. I returned the unit and had to pay a fee which left a bad taste in my mouth. What you are doing sounds so much more effective.

[designguy in reply to TangledUpIn]

No problem jump in as much as you want. Unfortunately you had the same experience with it as LifeIsThePits did. One of the things I have found through this journey is how important balancing our hormones, thyroid and adrenals are and how much they can cause or contribute to anxiety/depression if not. I knew they were important for our mood but I didn't realize how much.

[LilyAnnepuppy in reply to designguy]

I just completed 10 of the 36 treatments and am noticing some change. Hope you continue to do well.

[designguy in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

That's great, I hope you continue to make progress. I meet with the TMS doctor tomorrow for a followup and review, so far i'm doing well.

[LilyAnnepuppy in reply to designguy]

That’s good to hear.

[designguy]

Thank you, I hope so too, sorry your third time hasn't worked as well for you.

[dogandcatlover27]

I would like to try that treatment but it would cost £1200 to have a course of treatment.Alas I don’t have ‘private health care’It isn’t available on the NHS.

So glad it’s working for you.It’s such a relief when the depression and anxiety goes away.

[designguy in reply to dogandcatlover27]

Thanks, yes i'm grateful that my insurance covered it and I am able to do it, I do have a copay but it is only a small portion of the total cost. When I first met with the doctor at the clinic they said they could help me if I didn't qualify for the treatment and they do offer a payment plan and a discount for paying cash. I think a lot of the clinics offer some kind of financing/payment plan at least here in the States so if it's something you are really interested in you might check with the clinics near you.

[dogandcatlover27]

Thank you .I may look into that.x

[designguy in reply to dogandcatlover27]

You're welcome, I hope it works out for you.

[AnxiousSilver]

Thanks for the update, and glad that it's working out for you.

[designguy in reply to AnxiousSilver]

You're welcome, glad to be able to do it.