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Why do you think they would say you’re approved when you’re not? That wouldn’t be wise on their part. In my initial treatment I know I started treatment and the approval letter from my insurance didn’t arrive until weeks later. Insurance companies and paperwork are not a fast moving train. Can’t you just call your insurance company directly?
Your experience was very different from mine as well. I’ve had multiple rounds of TMS (right & left side). My doctor has multiple offices and has additional psychiatrists working with him. The nurses, who actually administer the treatment, let me know what days the doctors will be in at the offices I’m getting treatment so I can schedule a time to get treatment and meet with the doctor. So, I basically would see a doctor every week of treatment. The doctor spends anywhere between 10-30 minutes with me each time.
It’s crucial the doctor see you throughout TMS treatment. If something isn’t working they need to be able to adjust accordingly. Example, in my initial treatment, after about 4-5 treatments for depression I began having incredible anxiety. They were actually panic attacks. The doctor knew what was going on and immediately started treatment for anxiety concurrently. A nurse cannot make these decisions. Not because they may not be qualified but insurance won’t allow it.
When I hear about doctor lack of care, it really stuns me. If your in Los Angeles and decide to try again, let me know. My doctor and his entire staff are truly amazing.
Curious if all the people who are stating TMS “gave” them anxiety were treating bilaterally i.e. on both the left side for depression and the right side for anxiety? I originally sought TMS for severe depression, that I believe was triggered by Lexapro. I had an immediate response to TMS but after my first 3-4 sessions I ended up with ragging anxiety, which I had never expeirenced. It was so bad I was unable to fall asleep until 2a and would then wake up in a horrible panic a couple of hours later and lay in bed in terror for hours. I’d rather be depressed than deal with that level of anxiety.
My psychiatrist said that as the TMS was successfully treating the depression and, as it was dissipating, there was underlying anxiety that had come to the surface. Since then we’ve always treated bilaterally and it’s been successful. BTW, I’ve since been diagnosed with PTSD by a psychologist and when I asked my TMS psychiatrist how he would treat PTSD with TMS, he stated bilaterally. PTSD is, at it’s core, an anxiety disorder with depression.
And for those of you stating you have doctors ignoring you or stating technicians are being careless or unkind, I’m so so sorry to hear that. Mine have been incredible and have gone above and beyond for me. But the one nurse technician I did have who I found frankly annoying, I was vocal about not getting treatment from her and the office manager completely understood. You are taking a lot of time out of your life for this treatment (it’s 3 hours a day for me due to commute), your putting a lot of hope into this, and the TMS doctor, staff, company are all making a lot of money off of you. They are employed because of your situation. Don’t be complacent if your not getting the care you deserve or feel bad about speaking up.
Great question and would be interested in knowing as well. There’s a doctor prominently listed on this site for my area that I had a horrible consult with. However, the doctor went with (amazing doctor, amazing staff) has a much larger and more prominent practice and is not listed on this site.
I would suggest SAM-e
Hi Sheba, I completely understand where your at. The lack of maintenance has been my issue as well. I’m on round 3 of TMS. And the dip between round 1 and round 2 was horrific. It was like having my hope taken away. So, between round 2 and 3, my doctor and I made sure that didn’t happen again.
At this time insurance will not cover maintenance. It’s a catch 22: they claim there are no tests to show maintenance works, but the tests would be too expensive, so…However, your doctor should have attempted to get you covered for maintenance so that there is a record. Enough recorded proof that maintenance would help and eventually it may be covered. My doctor applies for maintenance with each patient who would benefit from it so there is a history for each patient and a cumulative history of denials – and then repeat rounds of treatment. The insurance companies are paying more not providing maintenance.
If your paying out of pocket then your doctor should offer a discounted rate. I have paid out of pocket for some maintenance, but my doctor charges me about 1/3 of what is billed to insurance. Not because he’s overfilling insurance but as a courtesy to his patient. Insurance should pay for another round after three months of the end date of your last round if you become depressed enough. Perhaps talk to your doctor about some sort of discount for a once a week or every other week treatment to tide you over until the next round. The combo that has worked for me has been: one, making sure I have a maintenance plan (i.e. a discounted rate I can afford) so when I start feeling the dip I can go in for a treatment. One treatment can make a difference, but catch that dip right away. Two, preparing to apply for another round if I’m not getting better. Three, I started taking SAM-e, which has been beneficial to me. Lifts my mood a bit without the side effects of medication.
Not completely understanding your post. I think what your saying is that the TMS is helping with the depression but you are experiencing increased anxiety. This happened to me during my initial treatments and I hear it is very common. My doctor then treated the anxiety with TMS, which reduced it greatly. Depression is treated on the left of the brain, anxiety on the right. Hope this helps.
Daniel, I’m not sure going through the forum and providing your own interpretation of peoples comments regarding their success is a good idea. I’m actually one of the people you rated and included a link for, and honestly, I’d prefer that you remove it. I really do appreciate your objective, but I don’t think your qualified to “score” people in this manner. Perhaps creating a survey would be a better manner of dealing with this. Best.
My experience with TMS was definitely a roller coaster. I had almost an immediate positive response to TMS, so we knew it worked with me. However, about 1/2 through (treatment #24 as well) I also hit a huge low. It was scary because I thought I had found something that worked and had hope, then to have that dip and to feel so awful again made me feel sunk. But then it started to work again. Due to that dip my doctor got an additional 10 treatments covered (so 51 total). By then end of the treatment I would say I was feeling about 75% better from where I started, which was almost non-functional. So my personal input would be to stick with it. My hope for you is that since you had a positive response that you will start to see positive results again. I’m actually on round 2 and had almost the same experience – a dip 1/2 way through.
First of all, what an amazing forum! I had TMS treatment earlier this year. With all my research, I’m not sure how I didn’t find this forum previously. I just placed a separate post regarding some relapse issues I’m having. However, I’ll add my experience in response to the posts about fears if treatment is working.
I agree completely with the previous post by Buddy on April 22, 2016. My treatment was a rollercoaster of ups and downs. It worked immediately, then I experienced “the Dip” which is terrifying. I also ended up having bilateral treatment, as anxiety became intense as my depression dissipated. And although I have a high pain threshold, as treatment intensity increased, it did hurt. There were times I had to simply will myself through treatment. But by the end I was definitely improved, if not 100%. I went from not sleeping and eating, crying all day, and having my first true thoughts of suicide (it was not about if, but when) to being ok.
I do think you have to relax, have some faith, practice good selfceare, make sure not to miss appointments!, give your doctor honest feedback, and see it through to the end. Everyone has a different treatment experience. I have a lot of compassion for those people having a difficult time during TMS treatment and admire your bravery.
