Experience with TMS for depression and anxiety

[Strugglingforawhile]

Has anyone had any personal experience with transcranial magnetic stimulation (tms)?

I can't take this anymore and I have tried everything.

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Strugglingforwhile,

Sorry to hear that you are having a hard time at the moment. Have you discussed treatment options with your Dr? If you feel it might help, there are pinned posts on this site with Crisis helpline numbers if you feel you need to talk to someone.

Maybe we don't have many members who have had any experience with TMS but maybe some members could offer some advice or support if they have been through a similar situation or are feeling the same right now? Anyone want to offer some suggestions to Strugglingforawhile?

Wishing you all the best and hope you feel better soon.

MAS Nurse and Moderator

[Kaytee1981]

Hi,

I've had TMS and unfortunately didn't find it helpful but neither have a multitude of medications and even ketamine infusions. Currently I'm on duloxetine, pregabalin and lithium.

I had various protocols (protocols is what they call the different positions they put the magnet on your head/forehead) some for anxiety and some for depression, some for both. It's an odd sensation initially it was on the boarder of uncomfortable and painful but not unmanageable and the more sessions I went to the more you got used to it. Different protocols have different levels of discomfort.

I found the staff very friendly and you get to know them very quickly your prescribed 10-20 treatments initially and they do them 5days a week (well they did where I went) sometimes I even had a cuppa during the treatment!

I know TMS and ketamine infusions together are an option and have good success rates if your suitable.

Any questions I can try and answer for you, sorry I haven't got a positive story but I know the success rates are generally high.

Kaytee

[Sara_6s-7s]

Hi, I had TMS about 2years ago, for both anxiety and depression. I think it helped, somewhat. I would like to say I made a recovery but that wasn't the case, what it did allow me to do was see 'the wood from the trees'- i.e I got the mental space back to look objectively at the issues contributing to my condition, whereas before the symptoms got in the way of everything. I am still unable to live a 'normal' life, but that's OK (for me). I think the anxiety was alleviated within weeks, the effects of depression lifted more slowly but I think the effects were also masked by the medication I was on (venlafaxine) and other health issues...

So,from personal experience, and NOT medical expertise, I would say, try it. It's not a magic bullet, and can only be really effective when combined with other treatments, especially therapy, and most essentially lifestyle changes. The good side is that there were no unpleasant side effects outside the treatment room, and as an agoraphobic, it helped me with the practice of leaving the house regularly to attend the sessions.... I did miss a few sessions, so the outcome may not have been as good as it could have been. I would try it again if it was offered.

I would say I have since learned my condition is more deep rooted than I was able to conceive before, and I now consider myself on the spectrum of long-term depressive illness. But don't let this put you off; more people, statistically, benefit than do not. The worst outcome is no change at all...