Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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  • #5064

    NeedMoreCowbell
    Participant

    Well, I’ll be done with my daily treatments tomorrow and will then get six tapers over a period of three weeks. I feel much better, the dips stopped for the most part, but I still lack the motivation to do the things that will enable me to stay well. I was able to get out last night and socialize for the first time in months and felt very little anxiety and I’m starting to plan for my favorite activity – organic veggie gardening. But the chores keep piling up.

    It doesn’t look like I’ll be able to get approved for maintenance, so the reality is that I’ll have to give meds another try. I’m starting to feel okay with that; it’s just a matter of what to try. My pdoc isn’t very supportive of that as she believes we’ve exhausted the world of pharmacology. I’m terrified that I’ll lose the benefits I’ve gained from this round unless I’m able to continue recovery. I feel like I’m at a fork in the road.

    I have continued hope.

    Best,
    NeedsMoreCowbell

    #5065

    sassy
    Participant

    It’s great your feeling better. I’m waiting to get approved to start but all 3 places I went to check on TMS , each doctor encouraged me to try and be on a med while getting TMS as they all claim patients get much better results. My problem is tolerating at this point. Something happens to me each time zoloft poops out and I can tolerate that or hardly an advil. It scared me but I’m trying to stay hopeful. Hopefully you can find the right med or meds to continue to improve. Wish you the best. Sassy

    #5066

    NeedMoreCowbell
    Participant

    Thanks Sassy. So, you’d had success with Zoloft, it stops working, and how is that related to taking Advil? Are you still taking Zoloft? I was on Remeron and it’s pooped out on me several times and then there’s the weight gain. UGH.I felt so sedated all the time I was having a hard time working.

    Also, are you saying the TMS docs are insisting on meds during treatment? I get confused about this subject as there are so many people who are referred for TMS because we are treatment resistant. We’ve been on multiple med trials. My insurance company has that as one of the criteria for getting approved – unsuccessful med trials. And yet TMS providers will continue to push meds. This might have to do with the lack of coverage for maintenance and they don’t want to have us get better and then we go off and relapse so they’re offering what is in their tool box.

    I’m so tired of thinking about it and if this is the world we’re in and I want to get better and do my best to stay there, then I guess I’ll have to try what is offered.

    Best,
    NeedsMoreCowbell (really)

    #5067

    sassy
    Participant

    No the docs haven’t insisted I be in meds at either place I went to for consult. They just claim that patients have better response with TMS while on meds.

    I started zoloft in 1995 and did great for 9 years. Then it pooped out or whatever happens but when it does I cannot tolerate taking the zoloft and have crazy side effects and have to wean off. In 2004 when It happened I stayed off for about 6 months and was very sensitive to other meds. Was even inpatient for 4 days in spring of 2005 ( was not on any meds except ativan ) and had 1 ect treatment done but refused any more. Mainly because I felt there was more wrong with me than deoression and when I got out my psch doc recommended I got my hormones checked. I was very very low in estrgen ( I was 35 yrs old at the time ) so I got on estrogen and got back on a small dose if zoloft and tolerated that fine. Then first of 2006 found out I had hashimoto disease. Found a good doc and over the next 2 years slowly increased thyroid meds to optimal levels and zoloft to normal dose and got my life back late 2008. I was fine up until October this year when all went crazy again. Can’t tolorate the zoloft or much of anything. We don’t know what happens to make me so sensitive to meds if any kind. I’m probably more depressed than I’ve ever been. My doc is hoping the TMS will reset or stimulate things enough to get back on meds. We thought maybe that 1 ect years ago did somthing. I’m tired and now sick with the flu on top of the depression. Luckily ativan helps but I am in terrible shape. My kids are grown this time around and I am hoping for some relief soon. I hate thinking of wanting to die everyday. When I’m normal I cringe at the thought of something happening to me because I love life and my kids. I hate this disease. Or whatever it is causing it. I’m scared and just hoping TMS will do something. I’m like you , I will take whatever to feel better. This is anguish. I hope you continue to do well

    #5068

    NeedMoreCowbell
    Participant

    Sassy, so sorry. Being physically sick with the flu on top of depression is really the dregs. Hold on to the love you have for your children! Just like the wind or ocean waves, feelings come and go and remember that there have been long periods where you have felt better. Hold onto that.

    Your reference to a sort of brain reset or helping you get to a place where meds will work again is a good goal to have and a good way to think of it. Makes sense to me.

    Get rested, get well, and dream of little tapping sensations on your head 😉

    Best,
    NeedMoreCowbell

    #5069

    sassy
    Participant

    Thank you so so much. I haven’t been on any boards or forums this go around and just those words are a huge help. This is a small site but I have seen you all encourage each other . Very glad I joined.

    I should know something early this week as far as if insurance is approved. I ready for the nagging tapping

    #5163

    fightingforme
    Participant

    I am new to the group and hoping the 2 of you that have posted are doing well. I just finished my first week of TMS. I’m on quite a few meds and hoping to be able to get off of at least some. I was able to manage my depression for years taking Effexor. Then I found out I have fibromyalgia and was switched to cymbalta which has slowly increased over the years. I had a major meltdown after my father died unexpectedly and that is when all of the other meds came in to play. The side effects are terrible. I am hoping the TMS is successful. I know I may always need some type of med, but hopefully not as many as I take now.

    #5171

    Dave_Wigfield
    Keymaster

    FightingForme:
    Very sorry to hear about your father.

    I know there’s a lot of research into whether TMS helps Fibromyalgia pain. Let us know if that has a positive effect.

    Best Luck!

    #5187

    tuwineza
    Participant

    Hi everyone- I was wondering if anyone could answer the questions I put in a post I put up on here today. I will be starting TMS in TWO DAYS and would really appreciate any feedback:

    I will be starting my TMS treatments in TWO DAYS, and I am wondering if there are any medications or substances that I must absolutely avoid, are prohibited to use during TMS, or will render my TMS treatments obsolete.

    I ask this question because I have tried a lot of medications in the past and am still on medications that are not providing any benefits to my mental stability.

    I also have a long history of recreational/prescribed substance abuse and alcohol dependency that I am still currently battling with. During my TMS treatments, if I am to relapse back to these addictions to any degree, will I ruin my TMS progress or render the TMS useless?

    I would appreciate any feedback or information that anyone may have about medication/substance use during TMS because I am at the point of letting go of my past, maladaptive behaviors in order to move on towards the hope of a better quality of life, but I need to know what I can do to prevent my tendency to subconsciously sabotage my own progress. I hope this makes sense and will invite anyone to provide helpful feedback. Thank you.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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