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Posts
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Hi everyone, I’m so happy to find this forum. I am just starting week 4 of TMS Treatment and I am trying NOT to be scared to death it won’t work. I am trying not to even say those words out loud, this was the biggest leap of FAITH I’ve ever taken in my life and I don’t want negative words to block my miracle.
I have not felt much relief yet, maybe a bit, but things are worse this week, and I did read this can happen. I was sort of sorry that I read some posts saying it didn’t work for them and it made things worse. Just reading that fed that fear and anxiety. I just turned 60 last week and spent money I couldn’t really afford, still having to work throughout all this I have no choice. So many people say TMS really doesn’t work until more toward the end? I see the psychiatrist today for the first time since treatment began. I am not on medication for depression, but have to take Xanax for anxiety. I want to get off the Xanax! I will NEVER take another anti depressant, but I don’t know what to tell him. Would it be improper to tell him I am worried they might not be in the right place for my particular brain? They never could get my thumb to really move, but I have severe carpal tunnel and I wonder if maybe the signal just couldn’t get through from my brain due to nerve damage. I hear so many people saying TMS is very uncomfortable for them, but I’m not feeling it that bad, could I need higher power? I do have a HARD Head and depression/anxiety have been severe since early childhood, so I worry too much damage has been done. Thank you for taking time to read my post, I’ve never really used forums, not sure how they work…..
DenaI also felt this was a big risky step to try TMS. I had my doubts and fear. For a while it made my anxiety even worse. After treatment ended my anxiety lessened.
Like you I am DONE with antidepressants. They never worked for me. Just bad side effects. So now my main goal is to stop taking the zanex but my anxiety is still too intense. I’m still depressed as well. This suffering has been going on for almost 12 years.
Hopefully you will feel that delayed effect some have experienced after TMS is done. Hopefully before that! At least you know you tried it.
Blessings!
Thank you for your reply! So the TMS did nothing to help your depression? I’m so sorry to hear that, both for you and my hopes. I hate having to take the Xanax, sometimes I wonder if it makes the depression worse, but when anxiety is so bad, it’s the only relief! That’s enough to drive us crazy………. we don’t want to take it, but when it helps, we are so thankful for it! LOL
God Bless you, and don’t give up!
Dena
Dena:
How are your treatments going? I was 60 when I had my initial round of treatments and I did not experience a lift until after treatments ended. My life has improved more than I can begin to describe since then.
TMS is a leap of faith and with any medical treatment, it works for some and not others because research has not yet clarified the exact ‘why and how’ it works. That is one of the most difficult challenges when assessing whether we would undergo the treatment or not. Sending warm and positive thoughts for a good outcome for you.
It is proper to share with your doctor any and all concerns you have no matter how trivial you might think they are. They are your issues; you have a right to raise them and have a discussion because you are deserving of that respect and paying for that type of consultation and care from your doctor.
Please stay connected for support and information.
Take care
ColleenOh my gosh Colleen, I cannot put into words just how much your post meant to me today, and the timing could not have been better. THANK YOU- THANK YOU- THANK YOU!
I’m down to my last 6 treatments, and was losing the faith and hope I had mustered up to do the TMS, which was the most FAITH I’ve had in my life to do ANYTHING. I have been telling everyone of my leap of faith as I was determined to have positive outcome. But………the last weeks have been going downhill, in fact I feel really agitated and finally told them I was worried on Friday. I thought for sure by this point things would be better, and I never ever thought TMS could make things worse. Hearing you say it was not until AFTER TMS that things got better gave me the most tremendous boost of faith, and hope I needed today. I heard a few others say this, but forced myself to stay off the forum after reading some negative reviews that I had never seen up to that point. I printed your message and put it right in front of me to read over and over.
I’m no expert, but I keep thinking maybe because my mind is being stimulated and I’m working the whole time getting TMS could just be causing agitation. Plus, I’m sure there is that subconscious fear of what the heck to do if this fails, and how I’m going to tell the hundreds of people of told of my Leap Of Faith.
God bless you……………again, the timing of your message that came through my email was nothing less than a miracle today!
Dena
Dena:
It is great to hear from you. TMS, as much as we cannot anticipate this, can be a rough ride for a while, just like any medical treatment. When I went through the dip, my depression was much worse than when I started treatments. I was sure this wasn’t going to work and almost quit at two weeks.
Time is one of the most important elements in predicting TMS outcome but I know that my experience and my psychiatrist, who also underwent TMS, noticed changes for up to a year after treatment. The brain needs time to adjust and respond to the stimulation.
Keep as positive as you can, (I know that can be challenging at times), exercise, eat healthy, etc., because depression responds to an eclectic approach not a bow and arrow approach. It’s a brain disease which affects mind and body and we need to approach our care of it in that light.
So glad this is helpful. Your information is shared information so know you are helping others too!
I will look forward to hearing about your continued journey.
To health!
ColleenColeenCasey: I found that I had to work on my negative thinking along with the treatments to help. I bought a new car about 3 weeks into my treatment, which I could not afford. I regret that very much. I wish there was a Warning that stated *Do not spend money on an impulse until you are done with treatments*.
I was very nervous after seeing posts about the treatment not working, but pushed through. I finished my treatments about 3 weeks ago and I no longer have ups and downs, which is wonderful. My mood is very stable.Mass:
So glad to hear that TMS improved your quality of life.
You raise such good points so thanks for sharing. Every post will speak to someone. I never had the ah Ha moment either. After treatments ended my depression improved step by step for 9 months. What I realized and you speak to when you talk about changing negative thinking is that TMS is not a miracle cure for depression and/or negative thinking. First depression is a chronic illness for most, some people do go into remission and don’t need boosters, but many of us do. Second I agree with you about other issues needing to be addressed. Impulsivity, thinking patterns, attention to physical health, realistic expectations about life and TMS, etc., are all part of improving the way we live. Successful TMS can provide a pathway that allows for a more positive intent when we are addressing these issues.
Good luck and I hope you continue to contribute by posting.
Have a nice day.
Colleen-
This reply was modified 7 years, 7 months ago by
colleencasey.
Hi ! I keep starting new posts with different topics, this is only forum I’ve ever done, so I’m not sure if I should have just used my first post and worked off it? Oh geez. I wondered if anyone might have info about a person who must take pain med, and opiate , would have brain so affected that it causes TMS not to be effective.
I was taking less and less, but then had a flare up and had to go back up some, and I know the up and down isn’t good, but I won’t take it if I don’t need it. TMS has HELPED the pain in my hands and arms that was so unbearable, even with med, I was about to have a breakdown. no one knew what to do, but throughout this whole process, my hands are 80% better, I hope they stay this was after I stop going for treatment. I’m just so worried something I’m doing is making the treatment not work. Does anyone have an idea of the percentage of people who experience results only AFTER the treatments are done?
Thanks everyone
Dena
Welcome to the forums denaqueenbee.
Queenbee I’m also terrified, only have had 6 treatments so far. I don’t even know what I’m so terrified of. I’m going to stick it out though. I’ve got such high hopes, and if this doesn’t work I’m afraid I’m going to crash big. I’m fortunate my insurance is paying most of the cost, I’d be a lot more freaked if I were paying the major portion. I’m keeping a journal and I’ve asked my husband to pay attention to changes in me, but so far nada. I’m glad to see that there are others near my age (58) giving this a try. I waited a year to do this because I’m old, who cares, I’m just going to die anyway…..God depression is a shitty thing.
patjrvj:
It is encouraging to hear of your bravery. Depression is horrible. I am going to be 67 soon and had TMS at 60. Because I had a positive outcome the last 7 years my depression has been in remission and life is so very different – it is positive and life’s challenges are manageable.
It’s early in your treatment cycle – people see positive results at different stages during treatment. Sometimes it occurs immediately, sometimes in the middle, sometimes in the end and sometimes not until after treatment ends.
Sending optimistic thoughts your way. Your commitment to “stick it out” will be a strong advantage.
Thanks for posting.
ColleenWelcome to the TMS+You Forum! I know it takes a lot to start posting on this… I checked this site a few times a week before deciding to create an account so I could reach out to others. This forum can be very useful and supportive and I’m glad you have taken to it. I wish you best of luck.
Sometimes people receive treatment on both sides of their head because one side of the pre-frontal cortex tends to be associated with emotions like depression and another part manages anxiety. Do not be afraid to ask questions and bring this idea up to your doctor and/or technician.
Hi everyone! Glad to find this forum. I am in the process of having Brainsway TMS. I’ve had 16 treatments so far. I haven’t noticed a whole lot of improvement, if any. But I am still hopeful that maybe it’s still too early. I’ve been online trying to get all the info I can find because it seems there are so many variables in the different ways TMS is done. I hope my providers are up to par with their particular way of treatment. I guess the biggest concern I have is “which side of the head?” I always thought to treat depression, the TMS was applied to the LEFT side. However, with my treatment, all the tapping and/or pulses are on my RIGHT side. I asked my technician about this and he said they are treating the LEFT side, but the tapping pulses are applied & felt on the RIGHT. Does this sound correct to any of you who have had Brainsway TMS? I’m so confused about this and other things, yet I’m so desperate for this to work! I hate having all this doubt and I’m not the best at questioning exactly what they’re doing. There seems to be a big lack of communication between me, the doctor, and the technicians. Just come in, get your treatment, and “see you tomorrow, same time!”
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This reply was modified 7 years, 7 months ago by
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