Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)
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  • #33927

    LDD1979
    Participant

    I’m only 10 sessions in and haven’t felt any improvements, but I’m wondering if I’m experiencing some form of the dip. I’ve been moodier, depressed, up and down, and acting out old patterns that I haven’t done in years! All in such a short time span and no positives noted yet 🙁 Has anyone else experienced a dip without feeling an improvement first, and did you then go on to have good results? –Thanks in advance.

    #33937

    kat5638
    Participant

    Hi, it sounds like you’re around the same timing as me in your TMS journey. How are you doing? I will have treatment number 14 today and I have been a mess the last week. I’m guessing this is “the dip” but it makes me so nervous that it’s a sign it’s not working. Have you felt any improvement since your post?

    Kat

    #33940

    LDD1979
    Participant

    Hi,
    I think today was number 20 for me. I’ve been feeling better since late last week. I find it so hard to tell with me though, because usually unless something situational spikes a bad depression, I just have chronic low grade depression that I’m so used to, I can’t always tell that I have. I have noticed that I’m not nearly as tired as i usually am, which is a big improvement and I hope that stays! Any changes since the other day for you? I hope so!
    -L

    #33941

    kat5638
    Participant

    I’m so glad you’re feeling a little better and less tired! They say sometimes it’s hard to tell if there’s improvement sometimes because it is so gradual. I had session 17 yesterday so I’m right behind you, so nice to find someone in the same stages of this treatment! I had 2 pretty stressful weeks which really spiked my anxiety (and depression) and then I think I had “the dip” at the beginning of last week but I’ve been feeling decent since about Wednesday so I’m starting to feel hopeful again!
    Kat

    • This reply was modified 5 years, 3 months ago by  kat5638.
    #33947

    LDD1979
    Participant

    Hi Kat,
    I’m sorry I’m just responding. I’m not getting email alerts of responses. How are you feeling now? I’m glad you were starting to feel better and I hope it has remained that way!
    -L

    #33948

    kat5638
    Participant

    I had a great week and then this week I felt like a was in another dip. It’s discouraging but the doctor and coordinator keep telling me that I’m not done yet and that my brain is still changing. How are you doing?
    -Kat

    #33959

    LDD1979
    Participant

    Hi Kat,
    Hope you’re out of your latest dip. My doctor said the same thing – that since new connections are forming and changing, that could have been what caused mine. I’m doing ok. I’m about to put TMS to the real test – just broke up with the guy I was seeing, and relationships/heartbreak have always been a BIG trigger for me, so we’ll see how I handle this :/ My last session is next week! I’m tapering now. I’m excited to be done. You shouldn’t be too far behind me! Hope you’re feeling good.

    -L

    #33960

    kat5638
    Participant

    I’m sorry you’re going through a breakup! Life definitely keeps throwing curve balls and it’s hard to deal with those when battling depression and/or anxiety! Remember to take time to care for yourself. I’m feeling okay this week, my doctor decided to change up some of my medication so it’s hard to know if what I’m feeling is medication changes or tms changes. I’m now in the tapering phase of the treatments and it’s almost scary to not be going every day. It’ll be nice to have the extra time every day though!

    #33963

    LDD1979
    Participant

    Thanks 🙂 Yep, life definitely doesn’t stop! I’m glad you’re feeling ok! But yea, hard to know what it’s from when there is more than one variable. May I ask a more personal question? You don’t have to answer if you won’t feel comfortable. How severe is your depression? I know many people who do TMS have such severe depression and/or anxiety, that they’re not able to work. As I think I mentioned before, mine is mild enough that I’ve always been functional. I’m just curious because I don’t know if I’ll be able to clearly tell if this worked, so I’m wondering if you’re in the same boat as me.

    -L

    #33965

    kat5638
    Participant

    I guess I would say mine is mild also. I missed a lot of work over the summer but have forced myself to not miss any since August. I would cry almost every day before and after work though and have now had times where that is not the case so I think it’s working. Have you noticed any improvements like that? Where maybe you notice more positive things than you did 5 weeks ago? I agree, it’s frustratjbg to know if it’s working or not but I’m counting up my tearless days as successful ones and signs that I’m improving. How have you been feeling the last couple of days? I hope you’re feeling okay during this rough time! A thing I have found helps my mindset is every night before bed I write down 10 things I’m grateful for that happened that day. It’s kind of amazing how you can find things to be grateful for even on dark days.

    #33972

    LDD1979
    Participant

    It sounds like you’re definitely doing better if you’re not crying as much! That’s great! 🙂 I’ve been doing ok. Struggling due to the breakup, but nothing I can’t handle, which is good. I like your idea about writing down what you’re grateful for. Previous therapists have had me do that, and I did it at the time, but fell out of the practice. I will start doing it again because it does help to put things into perspective. Thanks for the suggestion. How are you feeling? My last session is tomorrow (Monday)!

    #33985

    LDD1979
    Participant

    How are you doing Kat? Hopefully well!

    #33988

    kat5638
    Participant

    Sorry, I forgot to respond to your last message. I’m feeling okay. Last week was rocky but not as bad as I expected due to withdrawing off of one medication. I really want to say I’m feeling great and I’m positive it worked but I’m not at that point… I’m hoping the doctor and coordinator are right and that it will continue to work for 4-6 months after the treatment ends (last day is today!). It’s crazy to think I won’t have to go there anymore, I’m going to miss the down time watching tv. Haha. How are you?? Enjoying the extra free time of not going to appointments?

    #34002

    LDD1979
    Participant

    No problem, I just thought I would check in 🙂 I know what you mean about not being sure if it worked or not. I’m feeling like maybe it has done some good for me, but hard to tell. I guess even if it’s a placebo effect, it’s good if I’m feeling better, haha. No med changes for me at this point, as the TMS dr. is deferring to my regular psychiatrist and I haven’t seen her yet. I’m definitely happy to not have to run off to the dr every day at lunch! Thank goodness it was close to my office. The first few days after my last appointment, I kept thinking I was forgetting to go! 🙂 I hope things continue to improve for you and that you have no more rocky weeks 🙂

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)

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