-
Posts
-
Hi,
I’ve noted on this site (who is a good candidate for TMS) and other information published about how TMS is appropriate for those (like me) who have MDD and are don’t respond or can’t tolerate the side effects of meds. However, in the same summary it indicated that TMS works better for people who are less treatment resistant and are able to take at least one AD.
My treatment doc who doesn’t know me very well at all asked why I’m not on an AD. First, I wanted to ask him if he had bothered to read the referral (no more ADs will be prescribed based on hell rides); and, second, I wanted to ask why he would suggest such a thing to a person who has a proven track record of poor response to meds and can’t tolerate the side effects of most. The only thing that has worked is Remeron, but that’s not a long term solution as I get on the scale and it tips over).
My current treatment doc is concerned because my insurance company hasn’t approved maintenance and he believes that without it, I will relapse in less than six months. He wants me on an AD as a back up plan. Just makes my head spin! Next time he mentions it, I’m going to very assertively advise he speak with my regular pdoc. In the meantime, is this what TMS providers are telling patients? Get on an AD? Why would an AD work better for me now if it hasn’t worked out in the 10 years I’ve been on this ride?
Thanks,
NeedMoreCowbellI 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.
Absolutely Greg. Did your TMS provider attempt to steer you in that direction?
I’m just grateful that my long time psychiatrist is on the same page as me when it comes to introducing new meds. In my quest to get maintenance authorized under “individual consideration,” she will have her say in that area.
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.I was in a very similar position, every medication other than Remeron threw me into a terrible place. We tapered me off the medication during my TMS treatment.
If you’re not comfortable being on a medication, don’t take it. Yes, you might need maintenance, but hopefully it’s something you need a few times a year. If you need to pay out of pocket for that and can stay off meds, it sounds like a trade off you’re willing to make.
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.It took me 70 treatments to feel better, and I continue to improve after stopping.
I certainly would not start a medication right after finishing TMS. It’s bad science, you’re throwing in a new variable before seeing the evidence from your current treatment on its own.
Well, after my week of feeling pretty good, I slid into a funk (dip?). I feel pretty close to how I felt when I started three weeks ago. It’s different though. I feel pretty down, but I can concentrate. Where I was having a hard time getting to work, I can now talk myself out of bed and get out the door. Strange.
I agree, Graffin, no new meds for me until I know how the TMS is going to affect me for at least a month or two after my treatment ends.
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.
Ah! Turned out to be a slight dip and now I’m back. I was feeling pretty bad and then woke up this morning and felt okay again. Not as well as I did last week, but now I know I can feel better and that will keep me from giving up. Sigh.
Interesting that the return to feeling good also came with waking up at 3:45 am and not being able to go back to sleep. Wide awake!
Hi everyone- I was wondering if anyone could answer the questions I put in a post I put up on here today. I will be starting TMS in TWO DAYS and would really appreciate any feedback:
I will be starting my TMS treatments in TWO DAYS, and I am wondering if there are any medications or substances that I must absolutely avoid, are prohibited to use during TMS, or will render my TMS treatments obsolete.
I ask this question because I have tried a lot of medications in the past and am still on medications that are not providing any benefits to my mental stability.
I also have a long history of recreational/prescribed substance abuse and alcohol dependency that I am still currently battling with. During my TMS treatments, if I am to relapse back to these addictions to any degree, will I ruin my TMS progress or render the TMS useless?
I would appreciate any feedback or information that anyone may have about medication/substance use during TMS because I am at the point of letting go of my past, maladaptive behaviors in order to move on towards the hope of a better quality of life, but I need to know what I can do to prevent my tendency to subconsciously sabotage my own progress. I hope this makes sense and will invite anyone to provide helpful feedback. Thank you.
My Dr. said don’t add or subtract any meds without his advice. How are you doing?
The topic ‘TMS and medication…’ is closed to new replies.