hey guys. So recently I’ve been diagnosed with treatment resistant depression. Does anyone else struggle with this? Any words of encouragement?
Also if you have this have you had any success with alternative medicines such as magnet therapy, ketamine treatments or electro therapy?
Any advice or help to ease my struggle with hopelessness is really appreciated.
I’ve just started my second round of TMS. I had my first set of treatments in November of 2020. They worked at that time. Hopefully they will again.
My therapist, psychiatrist, group support, meds, prayer and meditation usually keep me on an even playing field. And brings me to an adequate baseline. But experiencing joy escapes me. That the hope my psychiatrist has as a result of the magnets.
I’m sorry for your struggles.
thank you for your response. I hope your treatments work well for you 🤗
How's the new TMS series coming along?
Well I only started it on Tuesday, so I’ve only had 4 sessions. The commitment is hard to handle if I look at the whole process. But if I take it a day at a time, it makes it manageable. Thanks for asking.
Totally agree. Thinking I have to go 5x a week for 6 wks makes me wanna stay in bed 🛏️💤
I've been doing TMS treatments for 14 months and counting. I have to pay out of pocket though. $9000+ and counting. I Did 2 Ketamine infusions prior to starting TMS. I microdose psilocybin mushrooms when I'm in a slump. Vape medical marajuana daily for mental health, anxiety and nerve pain. I've had 4 spine fusions and have permanent nerve damage in my left arm, hand, hip, leg, knee, shin. I take zero psyche meds, Rx, or OTC pills.
This is the only thing that has ever helped my depression and anxiety. I was ready to end it prior to taking one last ditch attempt at living. It was all I had left. That's about all I can say, in all honesty. Ask me ANYTHING! I'm here to help 🙏😊
I participate in a TRD study on HU. But it's a private invitation only forum. I started participating in March '22 but I don't know if they're taking new members anymore.
did you feel like the ketamine treatments before TMS helped?
Does the TMS treatment hurt? Do you feel any side effects from it?
I had wonderful results from the Ketamine infusions. The experience was AMAZING. My issue was the lethargy after the second one. I have sensitivity to anesthesia and Ketamine is an anesthetic. But I highly recommend Ketamine as a depression treatment for increasing neuroplasticity prior to starting TMS, or as a primary treatment as well.
TMS is a 100% noninvasive treatment. The paddle is moved to 3 areas of the head with 3 different magnetic pulses, like an MRI, from 30 seconds to 3 minutes per area. Feels like a woodpecker knocking on your skull. It rattles the teeth a touch, but I don't have any problems what so ever during or after the treatments. It's incredible to actually FEEL your brain turn back on. The grey sluggish fog disappears. The heaviness dissapates and my brain FEELS LIGHTER & BRIGHTER. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced. I go to my sessions on the way to work. Drive right after the 10-15 minute appointment like nothing happened.... except that my brain is functional and my anxiety is 🔕 silent.
thank you for being so responsive. I’m so glad your treatments help you. I was really worried about alternative treatments I might have to get but you’ve made me a little less scared so thank you.
Hello, i've tried ketamine and just recently finished my first treatment series of TMS. I personally didn't find the ketamine helpful, I did a series of 4 infusions and all it did was amp up my anxiety. It is also very physically draining and you can't drive afterward so someone has to drive you. In hindsight, my dosage could have been to high and I also know that when i smoked pot years ago all it did was increase my anxiety and didn't relax me but we all react differently to meds. There is also a ketamine spray which I did not try. I found the TMS to be very helpful and did not have any side affects from it and I actually enjoyed going to have it done. I chewed a big wad of gum that I used to insulate my teeth while the treatment was happening because it kind of made them sensitive but it was very minor. I was also fortunate that my insurance paid for my TMS except for a small copay. It did not cover the ketamine treatment though.
Through this journey I have found that for me what was the most critical was making sure my hormones (testosterone), thyroid and adrenals are all functioning properly because they have a major impact on our mood/anxiety and depression.
One other thing you may consider if you haven't done already is to do a psychopharmacological test which uses your dna to determine which meds may be best suited for you genetically. My test was from Genesight and I found it very helpful in finding a med that worked for me after trying a half-dozen that didn't. My test was also paid for by my insurance.
I am recently trying Lamictal, lamotrigine. It's been helpful for treatment resistant depression.. it's a seizure Med.Also OTC supplement NAD. Red light, near infrared light box. I ordered both online.
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