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I am considering stopping TMS treatment. I have had 25 sessions and have seen no changes in my depression. I am in an intensive outpatient program and on antidepressants in addition to TMS. I have struggled with depression for almost two decades. I was cautiously optimistic that TMS would give me SOME relief. I have come to accept that there is no single cure and this is something I will battle for the rest of my life. TMS not working has been so disheartening. What I want to know is, at this point, does it make sense for me to complete the treatment or would it be better to put my money toward an alternative modality? I’ve looked into ketamine and ECT (one is expensive and the other is scary). I don’t want to live the rest of my life feeling this way.
I can only tell you my story. I did TMS in 2018. I was where you are. It was not working. I was on anti depressants and I was spending a lot of money on these treatments. It was not until #34 or after that I started feeling better. I completed the 36 and was still uncertain…but I started feeling better for days after completing. After 48+ years of depression, I am off medication, I monitor myself frequently and go for “maintenance” of TMS about 3x a year (Maintenance is 3-5 treatments). It worked for me, That’s all I can say. If you don’t complete it, you may never know if the next treatment is the one that starts to turn things around? This is my opinion and my story. I hope that #26 is the one for you!
My thoughts and experience- I wished I didn’t continue treatments. I was having a bad reaction from the start and should’ve stopped. It’s been 8 months since my final treatment and I feel the worst I’ve ever felt, can’t seem to tolerate medicine and my body is shaking and muscles cramping. They kept assuring me it would get better, but it never did. I was only able to lower my dose of my previous medicine since I was so sensitive to it. Then I couldn’t seem to tolerate it at all. Now I’m off and am in the worst shape I’ve ever been in.
Thank you for your feedback. I have noticed a worsening of my symptoms and while I have had external things going on, I felt like the TMS may have been making things worse for me. I haven’t found any articles to support this idea- it seems like it can increase anxiety in some people but for the most part either helps or doesn’t make a difference. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who has had this experience. I appreciate you sharing! Have you tried other modalities like Ketamine infusions or ECT? My care team would like me to consider ketamine infusions.
Thank you for sharing. I asked the clinic for some clinical evidence regarding symptomatic improvement this far intro treatment and haven’t heard back from them, which is a little frustrating. I put it on hold last week to think about whether or not to continue. Would you mind sharing a little about your story with me- like when you started experiencing your symptoms and what other treatments you tried before seeking TMS? I am feeling pretty hopeless.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by
rachelb.
I’m also feeling hopeless, as well as frustrated since nothing seems to work anymore and no doctor seems to help or take it seriously.
I first began to feel symptoms a few days into treatment. Everyone at the clinic said this is not an effect of the Tms, especially that early into treatment. They also said it works in 70% of patients, but worst case scenario it doesn’t. No one mentioned it could make me feel worse. As I continued treatment, I had to lower the dose of medications since everything was so strong. I also became very irritable and snapped at people often. I was often on edge, felt buzzing in my head and very sensitive to noise and smell. Certain noises would make me jump and certain smells would make my stomach turn. They said this was because my brain is stimulated and “waking up.” Those effects were easier to deal with, but now the depression and anxiety is at its worst. I’ve never even had issues with anxiety before TMS.
As far as other treatments before starting Tms, I only tried a few antidepressants. Effexor with Wellbutrin seemed to work best for me. I wish I just stayed on it and dealt with the side effects since I was in better shape than I am now.
I haven’t tried ketamine infusions, but I heard it can make you like a zombie. I know it’s a strong drug so I’m too nervous to try it at this point. -
This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by
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