Seeking input on effectiveness of ketamine or TMS therapy; does it work for OCD?

[Kaiser18]

TMS = transcranial magnetic stimulation

I have had OCD for 17 years and CBT and medication have helped in the past, but symptoms remain. I am always looking for better ways to improve. I cannot get any doctors or therapists to consider ketamine or TMS. I wanted to see if anyone has had any success, or lack thereof, with either therapy. I won’t pursue if these are snake oil, but will if they are not.

[SpottyFox]

Hi

I am also interested to hear of anybodies experiences of how effective ketamine is for treating OCD. Like myself, you probably came across articles on the internet about the initial clinical trials carried out at Stanford University(?) with very positive results. I assume there are larger, follow-up trials taking place in the USA and it is just a matter of time before the treatment becomes established (or not).

In the UK, there are clinical trials taking place with ketamine for depression but not for OCD (as far as I am aware) Ketamine treatment for depression is available from one NHS clinic in the UK (Oxford) but it is a paid-for treatment.

[Hidden]

Hi there,

The IOCDF has a great article on the use of TMS for OCD here: iocdf.org/expert-opinions/t...

TMS has also recently gained FDA approval for treating OCD specifically.

Ketamine is still considered experimental, but does hold promise. IOCDF also has an article which touches upon the use of ketamine: iocdf.org/expert-opinions/t...

[BookwormMo]

I am interested in learning more about ketamine too. As far as I know, so far it's only been used in clinical trials.

My daughter received TMS for depression and OCD, and it was tremendously helpful. Unfortunately, it's very expensive, but it is covered by many insurance carriers (and by Medicare, I believe).