Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #5094

    bmailb
    Participant

    Started last Thursday at 9 am and by 2 pm felt more anxious, very noticably. friday same thing only worse…going into panic attack. Took extra Xanax and calmed right down. on weekend no treatments and I felt just average. Monday treatment felt great all day Tuesday treatment same, felt better, feeling like its already making a difference. Today 5th treatment and the anxiety ramped up again in the afternoon. anyone else have this kind of roller coaster?

    #5095

    bmailb
    Participant

    I should also mention that prior to starting TMS treatment I have been taking 1 mg extended release Xanax twice daily and that has been controlling my symptoms fairly well. I was still nervous but functional, no panic attacks, I stopped losing weight. Since beginning TMS my emotions have definitely been stirred up both good and bad. At least I know its doing something, I just want to believe that the good emotions will overtake the bad ones and not the other way around..

    • This reply was modified 8 years, 11 months ago by  bmailb.
    #5097

    sassy
    Participant

    Bmailb – this site hasn’t had much activity but if you look back on some of the posts you will see other patients have had the same type experience. I hope you continue to have good success with TMS. I haven’t started yet . I’m waiting on an appeal with my insurance company . Best sassy

    #5098

    sassy
    Participant

    Sorry I mean this site hasn’t had much activity lately. Please keep us updated on your progress.

    #5099

    bmailb
    Participant

    Today was better. At least until about an hour ago when i saw my dog had dug up the internet cable in the back yard after a long standing issue here. it made me realize that feeling “good” is relative because I am still just a little stress away from relapse. however, the other days there was no cause, so its still improvement. My techs are like daily therapists now, they are great. I can see getting a feeling of dependence on seeing them (both of them have gone through the procedure with much success by the way). They remind me that 6 treatments is nothing, I just need to be patient. I hope you beat your insurance company. I will keep this site posted throughout my treatment. Good luck to you , Brian.

    #5101

    sassy
    Participant

    Hi Brian – I was just checking to see how your feeling . I start tomorrow.

    #5132

    bmailb
    Participant

    I have had in the neighbor hood of 60 treatments now. I felt some good and bad days a bit volatile the first 2 weeks. after that things settled down to a very good improvement. My scores on the questionnaires dropped dramatically over the month that followed the initial 2 weeks. Since I suffer primarily from anxiety with some depression, after the initial 36 treatments we decided to try the right side low frequency which did not work at all. felt worse very quickly. I went back to bilateral and felt better quickly. I am tapering now and am down to one a week for the next few weeks then Im done. At that point I will start to taper my Xanax and see if my anxiety stays in check…

    #5133

    colleencasey
    Participant

    bmail:

    I had TMS 4 1/2 years ago and am advocating for public education about treatment options. How do you feel about your overall improvement with TMS treatments? I am sending my best for success with your tapers and a better quality of life for you. You have to be very dedicated to improved health to sustain your commitment to TMS treatments for 2+ months. What an example of persistence! Please write and let us know how you are doing.
    Colleen

    #5196

    mousehousevacs
    Participant

    I am desperately looking for treatment methods for my 27 yr old son who is severly depressed and med not working. I am pursuing his Medicaid will pay for this, but I”m not getting my hopes up. They have deemed him medically frail yet won’t pay for much of anything in the way of services.

    Colleencasey – you stated you had this same treatment 4/5 years ago. How have you been since the treatment?

    #5198

    colleencasey
    Participant

    mousehousevacs:

    I am on my way out, and will get back to you more extensively in a day or two. Do not discount possibilities for your son considering and possibly being a candidate for TMS treatment yet.
    Sending support and I will respond soon.
    Colleen

    #5199

    colleencasey
    Participant

    mousehousevacs:

    Again, I am sending support. Depression is a family illness and encompasses everyone and many aspects of family life when it is present. In terms of the financial issues in regard to paying for TMS: if insurance is not a viable option for payment, different doctors’ offices offer different options for payment. Some doctors have finance companies they deal with to pay for TMS, some offer payment plans of their own, some companies that make the machines may offer some type of financial incentives and support to assist those in need, etc. It is important to search this information out by talking with each doctor’s office that offers TMS in your area. Ask to speak with their TMS Coordinator, or TMS Technician (etc.), and then ask what kind of financial plans and/or assistance they offer, ask if they have suggestions as to resources they may be aware of that you are not, ask for direction and further contacts. If you do searches on the internet for doctors that offer TMS in your area, or companies that provide TMS machines (Customer Service Department), there may be more information to avail yourself of. Some universities offer research opportunities (clinical trials) that may include TMS treatments. If you live near a university contact their psychology and/or neurology department and ask. Don’t stop asking! Are there family members, friends, church or group affiliations that might help? Thinking outside of the norms or the box can result in treatment.
    I hope this information is helpful. Stay in touch for support and to let us know how you are making out with your efforts.
    Colleen

    #5200

    colleencasey
    Participant

    mousehousevacs:

    Now to address TMS as a treatment option. TMS is a treatment that is FDA approved to treat Major Depressive Disorder. (MDD) (so there is a chance of insurance coverage depending on individual policies). My psychiatrist stated that the scientific evidence finds that TMS works slightly better than medication. Each patient is evaluated by an M.D. for treatment consideration. There is no definitive to determine whether it will work for any one individual; there is risk involved that it may not just like medication. TMS can be offered for other conditions besides MDD without FDA approval (off label and no insurance coverage). (It was effective for my ADHD to the point where I no longer need meds). There is mounting information on the internet about TMS, patient testimonials, scientific data, treatment explanations, etc.
    Self education is important so that the most informed decision can be made. Keep hope in your heart. Brain research and understanding human behavior is a research priority right now. That is good news.

    Colleen

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)

The topic ‘New patient 5 treatments in its been a mixed bag’ is closed to new replies.