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Just checking in to say hi. How is everyone doing today?
The holidays are barreling down on me with what feels like the train in The Polar Express — I’m going for TMS maintenance treatments tomorrow and next week to ward off the weepiness and agitation that are my personal tip offs that depression is starting to creep in. It’s a constant game of keeping a watachful eye on my symptoms so I don’t fall too far behind the happiness curve. And of course there’s the stress that comes with the holiday preparations that can take me down — so I’m glad I can depend on maintenance TMS to keep me on an even keel.
Hello Everyone!
As a new member I just wanted to say hello!!! My voice on this forum is to encourage everyone, either post TMS or people looking for treatment options and are new to this experience or that are having trouble coming to terms with what is going on in the confusion of depression.I am looking forward to interacting with everyone. I resonate and understand the crushing wake of pressure depression brings to your social life, professional careers, relationships and status among being judged for an illness WE did not ask for, most people do not understand and that is categorized mostly as personal problems or socially not tolerated in the work place, public and beyond.
After surviving, living with depression for over 30 years, I am post TMS treatment for 18 months. My voice and strength have been restored and I am ready to fight for others that cannot.
I am a guest speaker and advocate for TMS. I recently was a guest on an episode of “The Doctors” TV Show that aired on December 3rd. I was able to share my story with millions in hope that it would resonate with anyone in a battle with depression. Here is the link for viewing:
http://www.thedoctorstv.com/articles/2841-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-for-depression#.VICaA97IaH0.emailBecoming well and depression free was my goal. However, my “mission” is to reach out to others that suffer and let them know they are not alone and that help is available. I have helped many people already… And that alone is worth living for!
Thank you! Martha Rhodes, for your inspiration, courage and endless support to all that suffer… You are a pillar of strength to all…
Hi,
My Name is Greg and I live in Connecticut.
I was given Martha’s book on Friday night by a dear friend {Lisa} and could not put it down.
Her story is so much like my own, and has given me some hope.
I have been suffering from severe depression for many years.This last year has been the worse, with a nervous breakdown taking me out of work for several months.I have tried every medication made over the years and recently stopped them all as they were making me feel worse.
I can not give up and must continue to work.My wife suffers from M.S. and my daughter is in her first year at UCONN.
Is there is anyone that I might be able to talk to since I do not see my insurance company listed and truly believe this treatment might be able to save me.My insurance is Connecticare.Thanks for listening
GregHello Greg,
It is paramount that you get an evaluation from a qualified professional, Psychiatrist, Neurologist that has knowledge of TMS and get tested if you are considering TMS therapy.
Your story sounds very similar to my own. My insurance did not cover my TMS therapy. I found a Doctor that set me up with a payment plan and started treatment. I had to front the initial cost of therapy. However, my health and well being had to come first.
I too struggled with medication and nothing worked. After becoming institutionalized and non functional for over 5 years I thought my life was over, finances and resources at zero, my career over. I made the decision to go seek treatment. Please do not let depression get you to this level. If you cannot make the decision to seek professional help due to a financial burden depression will eventually make that decision for you.
Greg, help is available and you no longer have to live with the burdens of this agonizing illness of depression. Please visit a local TMS provider in your area ASAP and get the help you deserve. Taking care of you first is paramount!.
All my best to you,
Gregory, (Racergreg)Greg:
I just posted under Encouragement to Others before I read the posts on this forum so I won’t repeat. But I will support Racergreg’s post 100%! There are payment options available and each doctor offers slightly different, individualized financial programs so it is important to follow Racergreg’s advice to locate and consult with a doctor providing TMS Treatment asap. I suffered with depression for 60 years and have been depression free (receiving maintenance once a year) without medication since treatment. Taking care of yourself first (as Racergreg states) is paramount!. Stay connected to TMS + YOU for continued support and information. TMS is a viable option to explore.
With warmest regards
ColleenGregory:
I saw your story on the Doctors’ and know your input and advocacy will be a valuable contribution to those suffering and their loved ones. Your story provides much needed encouragement. I heard a quote the other day that spoke to me and is reflective of the mission of this site: When someone helps you save your life, you then turn and help someone else save theirs.
Glad to connect with you.
ColleenColleen,
Thank you so much for taking the time write me.
I have called a doctor from Greenwich Ct and and trying to work out a plan and to make this work somehow.
They are telling me I have to come up with the money up front.
Since I don’t have that kind of money I am working on plan B.So glad this worked for you and I know it’s going to work for me!
Greg
Greg:
Your persistence with Plan B deserves support and encouragement. There are different options for payment for consideration. Here are a few ideas. Several patients I saw when I was a TMS Coordinator for a brief time applied for and received a bank loan for the treatment. One of the financial officers at one of the banks I spoke with said many of their personal loans were for medical procedures. One used their house for collateral, another used a truck. A family member or a friend may be willing to do this also. Some patients received loans from family members directly and with insurance companies progressing towards treatment approval and coverage, reimbursement is a possibility. External appeals with insurance is an option for coverage, usually after treatment.
The TMS Coordinator at the doctor’s office may be able to offer other ideas. Communication with her/him regularly can be very helpful.
With respect for your forward motion,
ColleenColleen:
Our words of encouragement and valuable knowledge regarding depression and navigating through what seems like endless frustration trying to get the proper help, care and treatment for this illness is in it’s own, a huge undertaking! I too enjoyed the quote you posted. “When someone helps you save your life, you then turn and help someone else save theirs”. I still see many people falling in an endless spiral of confusion related to decisions associated or related to seeking help for depression due to financial obligation, social status, professional careers or people not willing to seek treatment due to their positions as head of household or providers of care to others. I held myself to many obligations and powerful positions carrying the weight of depression for over thirty years. When the burden of depression becomes too much to handle and the illness takes control of your life. For many this is too late! If our words of encouragement can resonate with many who can understand that they are not alone and go forward with getting the care they desperately need. If I have found anything out about depression, It is? “Depression is such a self help illness, once you make the decision and commitment to help yourself, progress and change will start to happen, but, not until then”. Depression has left a huge and devastating financial wake in my life, 6 figures in debt, unemployed for 7 years, no insurance coverage, total loss of my 401k, pension, personal savings, career, social status, friendships and 30 years loss of forward progression. If I can do this, so can everyone else. My point however, is do not let depression take you to this level! Because eventually “IT WILL”. We will stand together and help others and hopefully be a guiding light and inspiration to others that seek help. It is not easy! It is truly a pleasure Colleen to connect with you, as well, and to all others that have found enough strength to proceed with new beginnings in their journey with this devastating and progressive illness.Be well and live well!
Gregory:
As I was by your story on The Doctor’s, I am moved by your post. Your quote, “Depression is such a self help illness,…” is striking, wow. It is amazing how we can go through such devastation as you describe in your story and still rise after TMS treatments. I will look forward to the wisdom you offer in subsequent posts. Best wishes in this new year.
ColleenMartha:
Gregory’s quote, “Depression is such a self help illness, . . .” reminds me of your commitment to your own mental health as you describe going through booster treatments at this time. Thanks for being so transparent with regard to your path. It sets a model for us all who struggle with this illness. Thinking of you.
ColleenThank to you both for you words of encouragement.
Today is the day I see a TMS doctor in Connecticut.
He says he is 0 for 2 with my insurance company.I will fight for this!
Greg
Hi Greg,
I was reading your comments and I feel for you. TMS is gaining ground with insurance companies, and things are getting better every year with coverage, but not having that coverage can present a burden for sure. You seem to have a great and determined spirit about it though, so please keep holding onto that!As for insurance help, this site covers some general insurance and payment ins and outs that might serve as a good starter: http://tmsyou.com/tms-patients/insurance-and-payments/ If your TMS doctor uses the Neurostar, then I think that calling their NeuroStar Reimbursement Support Program at 1-877-622-2867 may also be a good route for you. This is official through the device manufacturer; they may be able to help you understand your benefits and I think they can even contact your insurance provider on your behalf. Also, you may be able to appeal to your insurance carrier yourself, which of the three avenues in front of you (doctor, Neuronetics, self) might be the most powerful one.
TMS is a viable therapy and it’s out there; it’s not going away. So don’t despair. Insurance can be tricky, but you do have resources. Please let us know how you made out.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the information and your support.
The doctors appointment went well!
What a terrific doctor. His name is Robert Guerrera in Wilton Connecticut.
While he has not had great success with this Optum health.He seemed to think I had a good case as I laid out all medications that have failed, it was quite a long list.
He sends the info to NeuroStar and from what I understand,they take it from there.
A phone call to NeuroStar sounds like a good idea too.
I lost it emotionally, as for the first time in years, there is some hope.Greg
Greg:
I was happy to read your response post to Dave. It is great that you are looking forward to working with this Dr. Trust and faith in your doctor is a very important part of your efforts. Your determination and focus will advance you no doubt. Please keep in touch with this site as we are all invested in supporting each others’ efforts to improve our lives. My positive thoughts are with you as you proceed with this.
ColleenThanks for all the support!
I start my treatments on Monday!
The word for today is hope.Great News Greg! Plan B worked! Good for you. We have much more support to offer should it be needed. Sending my best for a successful treatment path. Will be thinking of you supporting your efforts and hope.
Greg:
That is great news. Keep us updated and let us know how it goes!
Hi Greg (and Everyone),
Since we’re all free to have opinions on this “for patients only” site, I’m weighing on on Dr. Guerrera — he’s EXCELLENT! I’ve worked with him and find him to be compassionate and devoted to his patients’ well being. Although his practice is small, it is well run and I know you’re in good hands.SOME REALLY GREAT NEWS: Neuronetics just announced the adoption and implementation of a new Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation coverage policy with United Healthcare, effective February 1, 2015. If you’ve got UHC then Optum by United Behavioral Health covers the TMS piece of your policy.
Not sure if he still does this, but he used to have really powerful men’s group as well. I hope he can push through the Optum health coverage for you
Thanks Colleen, and congratulations on your magnificent interview I just found on NYTV. I created a Good News chat posting and I hope others will go to it to see your very personal, inspiring story. I’ll post the link here now with hopes others will see it here as well:
http://wnyt.com/article/stories/s3681189.shtmlHello Greg
Maybe you won’t see this. I just watched your segment of your clip on the Doctors show. I am undergoing the most severe, troubling depression I could have ever imagined. I lost a pregnancy due to mental illness, and I am not dealing with the aftermath of that, and losing my ex fiance. The depression is so overwhelming, I hope that TMS will work for me. If you have any hope to offer, or words of wisdom, please do, I just feel so close to wanting to give up somedays, and I need a network that is bigger than what I have. Your segment was nice to watch, I hope it will work for me like it worked for you. I am on day 10 right now.sunflower 78
I read your post and I would like to encourage you to continue your TMS treatments. I had the treatments 4 1/2 years ago. After 60 years of depression, hospital stays, a suicide attempt, etc., I am now depression free with 3 TMS treatments annually and no medication (I had tried 37 meds and combinations of meds before TMS). I did not see results from TMS until after treatments had ended. Everyone responds differently. After two weeks of treatment I was going to quit because I saw no results. Actually I went into a deeper depression (called the dip) which happens to some patients during TMS treatments. However, I emerged after treatment ended, slowly and methodically, feeling better and better. There are little glimpses of mood improvement at first as the brain acclimates to the results of the treatments. Mood improvement happens on a continuum. I live a full life now. Consulting with your TMS doctor and coordinator with regularity while on this journey is essential. There are no predictors of the results of TMS, however there are no steadfast indicators that it is not working either throughout the course of treatment. Patience and hope are two factors that need attention. There is no guarantee that TMS will work, even though often it is effective. If by some chance it is not, there is still HOPE. I worked with a woman out in a Western state who ECT and TMS did not work for. However she found a doctor who did work with her and now with the right med combination she is living a productive life, working with suicide prevention, has a career and a boyfriend. She is in her 40’s and has suffered all of her life. The important thing to remember is stay steadfast with the TMS treatments (as you consult with your doctor) and by chance if it doesn’t work there is hope with other options. The Brain Initiative (and research) is scientifically understanding the brain more and more each day. Recovery is possible! Please keep in touch
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