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Needmore,
Glad you are feeling strong.That is a good sign and I am so happy for you.
I have my last treatment on Wednesday.I can so relate to your lost weekends as I find it difficult to leave the house.
A good therapist might help with that as you say.Keasaw,
It was difficult for me to work during my first week of treatment and ended up taking a couple of days off.
The way I would describe my treatment experience was that of a roller coaster of ups and downs.
I felt the best in week 5 and 6,when they started to wean down the depression came back but certainly not as bad as when I started.
At that point I was approved for 10 more treatments and now have two left, total is 46.
Honestly, wish I had a chair at home so I could get treatments everyday.
I read another post where someone had 70 treatments until he felt better and some people who get feel better at the end of the second week.Some don’t feel better until their treatment is over.We all respond so differently.
My expectations when starting were way to high but I am glad that I did it.
Please keep us posted on your progress as we are all rooting for you.Sooxie,
So happy you have responded to TMS. When we first start out it seems as if it will take forever to get through all the treatments.
Wishing you all the best Sooxie!Has your doctor tried to get more treatments for you?
Sometimes if they call the insurance company and talk to a human, they might give you some more.Keasaw,
Just wanted to wish you the best with TMS.
It has been a miracle for most people.
My best advice to you is try to be patient and positive.Thanks so much
TMS has been somewhat successful for me.
I certainly feel better and it is allowing some clear thought.
Still have depression but it is less severe.
Honestly, I think another round of treatments might do the trick.
So at the end of next week I will talk to the doctor{who has been just terrific} and see if he can get my insurance company to give up some more.
My other Doc wants me to try Latuda but going to give this some time to work it self out.
Meds make me worse and I just don’t want to go through that again.If not. It’s on to the next quest.
Hi Colleen,
Thanks for asking and I hope you are doing well.
I have my last two treatments out of 46 next week.
Unfortunately we just found out my sister has late stage pancreatic cancer.
We are a very close family and both of us have been caring for my elderly parents.It’s hard to describe how this has effected my treatment and depression.
.
Got to dig out of this hole and see where I stand.Patrick,
How are you doing?
Hi Sooxie and Needmore,
I had that same shock you all had.
They approved all the sessions and I had to pay up front.No one said anything about a $45.00 co pay for each session.
Trying to get the money back from my insurance company has been a nightmare.
It just pisses me off! They know you are depressed and it seems they take advantage of that and maybe you don’t have the will to fight.
How are you both feeling?Thanks everyone! You are absolutely right.
Taking and appreciating your advice.Sorry about the dip Needmore but it is usually short lived. Hang in there.
Thanks Graffin
Still have some treatments left.
Not where I want to be, but’s it is certainly an improvement.
Just maybe these last 7 will do it for me.I really like my TMS provider but unfortunately he does not take insurance.This guy is the best Doc I have ever been to.
He knows from the two page list of medications that I have tried and failed.
I refuse to go through the withdrawal of these meds ever again.
Now my regular psychiatrist wants me to try this latuda and check this out.
Not knocking anyone that has to take this med but this stuff scares me!
Just can’t do this med thing anymore.
I could also go into a rant about the pharmaceutical industry but that would not do anyone any good.Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but very serious condition that can happen in people who take antipsychotic medicines, including LATUDA. NMS can cause death and must be treated in a hospital. Call your healthcare provider right away if you become severely ill and have some or all of these symptoms: high fever, excessive sweating, rigid muscles, confusion, or changes in your breathing, heartbeat, or blood pressure.
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a serious and sometimes permanent side effect reported with LATUDA and similar medicines. Tell your doctor about any movements you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts, as they may be signs of TD. TD may not go away, even if you stop taking LATUDA. TD may also start after you stop taking LATUDA.
Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who take LATUDA. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors for diabetes (such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes), your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start LATUDA and during therapy. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) while taking LATUDA: feel very thirsty, need to urinate more than usual, feel very hungry, feel weak or tired, feel sick to your stomach, feel confused, or your breath smells fruity.
Increases in triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreases in HDL (good) cholesterol have been reported with LATUDA. You may not have any symptoms, so your healthcare provider may decide to check your cholesterol and triglycerides during your treatment with LATUDA.
Some patients may gain weight while taking LATUDA. Your doctor should check your weight regularly.
Tell your doctor if you experience any of these:
feeling dizzy or light-headed upon standing,
decreases in white blood cells (which can be fatal),
trouble swallowing.
LATUDA and medicines like it may raise the level of prolactin. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience a lack of menstrual periods, leaking or enlarged breasts, or impotence.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a seizure disorder, have had seizures in the past, or have conditions that increase your risk for seizures.
Tell your healthcare provider if you experience prolonged, abnormal muscle spasms or contractions, which may be a sign of a condition called dystonia.
LATUDA can affect your judgment, thinking, and motor skills. You should not drive or operate hazardous machinery until you know how LATUDA affects you.
LATUDA may make you more sensitive to heat. You may have trouble cooling off. Be careful when exercising or when doing things likely to cause dehydration or make you warm.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you take LATUDA since these can affect the amount of LATUDA in the blood.
Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking or plan to take, since there are some risks for drug interactions with LATUDA. Tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any of the ingredients of LATUDA or take certain medications called CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medications.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking LATUDA.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you are planning to get pregnant. Avoid breastfeeding while taking LATUDA.
The most common side effects of LATUDA include sleepiness or drowsiness; restlessness or feeling like you need to move around (akathisia); difficulty moving, slow movements, muscle stiffness, or tremor; and nausea.
These are not all the possible side effects of LATUDA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.Very interesting and thanks for sharing.
I couldn’t agree with you more.
It’s the definition of insanity.Keep doing the same things and expecting a different result!No more AD for me either.
Wow that is fantastic you are feeling some results Sooxie!
I am so happy for you.Needmore, mind if I ask how many treatments you had on the first go around and how many you are getting now?
I am also thrilled to hear you are having some positive results.
Patrick,
Great to hear you are over the dip.
Please keep us updated as how you are feeling.
Hope to you my friend and congratulate your self as TMS is a big commitment of time and money.
But I know neither of those things matter when you get better!
Thanks Colleen!
Just taking it a day at a time.The process for me so far has been that of roller coaster.
Some days I feel pretty good but most days it feels as though something is fighting the TMS.
9 treatments left and hopeful.
Also making a effort to stay in the present.Needmore,
Just wanted to welcome you and wish you luck in your treatment.
Sadmommy,
Just wondering if you mad the move to deep TMS and just to see how you are doing?
Martha too.
Just wondering how you are all doing?
Gand-Graffin-Colleen-Camilo-Claire
Thinking of you!
Patrick,
How are things going for you?
What a great thing to have a rep help you out!
Pulling for you my friend.Hi Fellow TMSers,
Just finished my 36th today.
When I started my wean it seems I came down quite a bit from my high point as far as feeling better.
My Great Doctor has received approval for 10 more treatments which is a beautiful thing.
This Doctor has been just terrific!We are going to try three a week and see what happens.
If it was up to me I would be going every day for the rest of my life.
Wishing all the best to all who are going through treatments and all of you caring people here who have supported me on my journey to find hope and wellness.Sooxie,
Hang in there.It started slow for me and then flew once I got to the half way point.
Wishing relief for you!
Sooxie,
I can relate so much to your feelings and they are perfectly normal.
Keep the faith and try to stay positive and don’t worry you will not Jinx yourself.Camilo
Thanks for the info as that is good to know.
It sounds like it’s worth a shot if the additional 36 treatments worked for her.
We all respond so differently to treatment.Wishing you the best of luck with the new meds.
Graffin,
Just wanted to say how happy I am for you on your upswing.
Depression is definitely the hardest thing I have ever been through.I am on my “wean” and I can say it was so worth getting treatment.
Like you I would love to be pre-depression better and still have hope for that.
Especially after reading all the posts about feeling even better when treatment is finished.
Clarity is something that feels a lot stronger.
To be quite honest I would love some more treatments and will talk to the Doc about that however I think my insurance may close the door on that,
Who knows?Sooxie,
Just wanted to suggest some Advil for the head tapping.
It gets easier for sure,
Wishing you all the best on your journey.Thanks for the info Graffin and Colleen,
You hit it right on the head with the morning anxiety.Good to know that this will possible go away.
I do think more treatments would be beneficial.
Talk to Doctor on Wednesday and will see where we go from here.Hi Colleen,
I had my 31st treatment this morning and beginning the ‘wean”.
There is no doubt I am feeling better.I think that the process of TMS is still evolving for me.
It seems like a roller coaster of ups and downs but mostly ups.
Still suffering from anxiety and when these morning attacks come they seem to color my day in a detrimental way.
Positive thinking is my goal everyday!
Thanks for asking.Sooxie,
Being patient is one thought that comes to mind. Treatment takes quite a while and like Colleen said,when people are very depressed we just want that feeling to go away and fast.
Positive thoughts are important as well.
You had also mentioned in another post about being tired and I also feel that way.
It has improved and my hope is that it continues.I hope and pray that you will benefit from TMS.
Camilo,
Sorry to hear about that.
Mind if I ask what you are doing now to treat your depression?
No problem Patrick
I don’t understand a lot about the motor threshold.
I will say treatment wasn’t working well for me until they turned up the dose.
The only side effects that I felt were the head tapping which takes some getting used to. Taking some Advil or something like that can help.
Also had a slight headache but that also went away with time.Sincerely hoping this will give you some relief.
30th Treatment today,
Let me just say first that the team over at Dr Guerrera’s office has just been wonderful to me.
Coming in during snow storms to make sure I get treatment.Jenny my TMS technician is a saint.
Dr. Guerrera checks in almost daily and I just can’t say enough about these caring and professional people.
I would highly recommend this office if you live in the tri-state area.I have to say I feel like I am on the depression roller coaster.
One day I feel better than I have in years and the next I am fighting myself it seems.
It is very hard to describe.
My suicidal thoughts have definitely subsided.
It’s like I don’t know how not to be depressed.My energy is low and still find myself going to bed at 7:30 at night.
Yet there are times during the day that I feel great.Suffering from chronic pain is a complication, however my pain levels have certainly gone down from TMS.
Work is a constant stress battle and a big anxiety producer.
Don’t get me wrong I have benefited in a big way from TMS and maybe it’s just my brain re-adjusting.
Maybe just need to let go and stop analyzing every thought and feeling.Let the process happen.
I am not complaining at all just throwing my thoughts out there on this freezing cold Friday.You all amaze me with you intelligence and knowledge about depression.
Claire you hit it head on with this last post.I am learning so much and thank you for it.
Patrick,
I think it’s your right, if you feel something is off to be able to talk to your Doctor.
As you know this is not a free treatment to say the least!
I know when we are in depression it’s hard to speak up for ourselves .{it was and still is for me anyway}It is important that you feel your treatment is being taken seriously so Please speak up if you feel something is off or have someone that you trust come to a treatment with you.
For you to have made the courageous choice to get yourself in that chair is awesome!
It is a big commitment and I applaud you for it.Please keep us updated on your progress.
Just to clarify-if your hand is above your heart.
Hi Patrick,
Just had my 29th treatment today and I asked about this.
If your hand is over your heart you might experience some twitching.
This info is from someone who is very knowledgeable and whom I trust.
Hope this helps and again congratulations on starting your treatment.
The best advice I can give you is to be patient.While some people experience relief earlier
in treatment I didn’t feel anything until my 25th and I have read that some people don’t feel any relief until treatment is over.
I am rooting for you!Hi patrickjf,
Congrats on starting treatment.
From my personal experience that did not happen to me.
It’s something that I would talk to you doctor about.When they do the set up this is common but I don’t think I have heard of this happening during treatment.
I am NOT A DOCTOR but you might need a slight adjustment of the coil.Treatment # 28
I wanted to say thanks again for all the support.It is just so helpful to have this site available and I plan on sticking around as to do some service.
Holding with good results since my initial “lift” at treatment #25.
This is my last week of treatments every day.Then go to three next week.
I have to say that I would love another full of treatment but I guess this is how it goes.TMS has saved me! I no longer have thoughts of suicide.My mood is good most of the time but I have had a bad day over the weekend, hoping it gets even better with time.
Greedy wouldn’t you say.
Have to stay away from toxic people and circumstances.One deli-ma is that I filed for disability and the trial will be coming up after waiting a year and half.
Just don’t know what to do.Love to work and have been for the last six months.However it can be very stressful.The Sun the Sun
The Sun does wonders for me.Since I live in Connecticut it is going to be a while until I get out in it.
You are so right about the pain meds and benzozs.
Trying to wean down from 1mg of klonipin since last week.From what I hear you have to very slow.
I hate taking them but it was the only thing that gave me any relief for the past couple of years.
The TMS has definitely taken my suicide thoughts away for now.
It seems I have a couple good days then get hit with a bad one.I had my 28th treatment this morning.
Colleen,
Thanks for the web site.I am especially interested the part about diet,can’t really exercise.
Praying for all of you!Claire,
Pain is certainly a factor for sure.
I also agree about the pain medication as I though that this was causing my depression.So I did go two years with out them and it became impossible to do simple tasks to help my family.Working was almost impossible with out them.
So I am stuck taking them.I try to get by on the least possible amount.It seems that the TMS treatments have helped with pain somewhat.
Gandolification
Living on good memories is something that I have been trying since it was mentioned here and it does seems to help.
I think the Beatles put it best in “Yesterday” one of my favorite songs.Speaking of supplements, Sam E is something that I have tried that seemed to work pretty good but for some reason I couldn’t tolerate it due to gastrointestinal issues.
As far as TMS is going I just had my 27th session this morning and despite having a panic attack this morning It has definitely raised my mood and to put it bluntly,has stopped my thoughts of suicide.
I just hope it holds.
Thinking of you both.
Gandolification,
I appreciate you posting that thread as I certainly learned a lot from it.
You have a way with words my friend and your tenacity to fight this horrible disease is inspiring.
Maybe you could write a book with your incredible writing skills?
Love the idea of going back into your positive memories and living in that feeling today.Great stuff!
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your fight.How are things going for you?
Claire,
I also appreciate your posts and certainly know what you mean when you said we marinate in our own negative thoughts.These thoughts seem to build on each other and put us in a hole that is hard to get out of.
To answer your question about TMS in your earlier post.I just had my 25th treatment yesterday.
While I struggled in the first month of treatment with thoughts like this isn’t going to work for me and they are not doing this right.For the first time in years I am starting to feel better and can see that these thoughts were just part of my sickness.
Your knowledge while working in the “mental health industry” is very interesting and I think it can be very helpful to people who are looking at their options for treatment.
I also suffer from chronic pain due to several failed spinal operations and I know that can cause depression and is probably a big part of my disease.Thanks again for your insight and I do enjoy reading what you have to say.
Treatment # 25 today.
I don’t know whats going on and I am praying that this is not a coincidence.
It started yesterday morning when I woke up.
I actually feel like I want to live!
Like you said Martha, I couldn’t put it any better.It is a subtle but unmistakable feeling.
Trying not to get to excited but honestly,I think TMS is starting to work for me.
If this sticks it could change my life!
The treatments remaining are a full week, then three days,then two,and then one.
On top of all this, I just found out my insurance company just approved the remaining treatments.Its a good day!
Martha-words can’t describe how grateful I am that you wrote the book and somehow it got into my hands.
The support I have received in this forum has also been a gift that I will be forever grateful for.You both talk so intelligently and really seem to understand your illness.
I wish you the best in your fight against this insidious disease.
Honestly, you have helped me just reading your posts.
Sharing ideas and other treatments options to fight and gain hope is what this forum is all about it seems.
Please keep us updated on your progress.
I have though long and hard about ECT and to be honest it frightens me.However, Claire’s point about choosing between a life of depression and misery verses taking a chance on losing some memory would be a fair trade off if I knew for sure it would work.
I still have some hope for TMS as I had my 24th treatment today.I am rooting for you both!
I just want to say thank you to all that have supported me in this quest to get well.
No matter what the outcome your support has meant so much to me.
I am just going to think positive and hope this all works it self out.
Treatment 22
The doctor re-calibrated the machine today and turned it up.
With 14 treatments left I hope this will do the trick.
Hi Martha,
Thanks for checking in.
Seems I got a little better in the third week but today is my 21st treatment and to be honest I am not feeling that great.
I am hoping that this is just my dip and It will be better in a couple of days.HOPE it’s what keeps me going and I pray that this will work for me.
Not expecting miracles…..Just want to feel like I want to live when I get up in the morning.treatment # 17 today
Wow, took a couple steps back it seems.
This could be the dip you all talk about.My panic came back with a vengeance the last two days and the positive feelings I had last week have left me.Thanks to you all that have described this dip so I can put this in the proper perspective.
Missed a treatment because of the snow on Tuesday but we are going to make it up on Saturday.Hi Sadmom
Hang in there!
I just had my 16th treatment and I can relate to your feelings. Some-days I feel as if it is starting to work and the bamb I have a couple of bad days.
Please keep the faith because that’s all we have right now.
HOPE! that this will work.
The TMS technician told me that she has had almost no one that stuck to the treatment and did not get some relief.
With most getting substantial relief!
I know that is not what the odds say but I believe her.
So please hang in there and try to be positive.I am rooting for you!
