Profile for User: colleencasey

glosurf:

I can only speak as a patient who is working with a doctor who is willing to try different ways to administer TMS. (I had my original round of TMS Treatments in 2011 and have 3 booster treatments/year).

I know several patients whose suicidal thoughts ended with TMS and a few others, including myself, whose suicidal thoughts were not affected by TMS. Quite a paradox – my depression is in remission and still I had suicidal thoughts. My doctor told me about a study being done with TMS and suicidal ideation. During this study, TMS was administered 3 times a day for 5 days in an effort to arrest suicidal thoughts. The results were positive. So, when I had an almost life-ending episode with suicidal ideation this past November, even though I was not depressed, I asked my doctor to administer three treatments in one day to see if it would help. (I had been experiencing suicidal thoughts almost every day of my life. Some of us can be free of depression but yet, experience suicidal thoughts). He agreed and I underwent three treatments in one day and my suicidal thoughts have dissipated. It is almost too amazing to believe. I am free of this burden after 67 years. It may be an issue to talk with the doctor about. My doctor now administers multiple treatments in a day with some of his other patients for depression and is having positive results. There has also been some evidence that multiple treatments in a day were successful for some of those MDD patients that single treatments in a day did not work for.

Research about TMS, how to administer it, in what dose, how frequent the pulses should be administered, etc., is being conducted daily. New information emerges routinely. You can access some of this info on Google Alerts – Topic – Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. You might want to check out Google Alerts. Also, the site, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, covers research info on many topics including TMS. Maybe some of this info will be helpful.

Hi fitz81:
I am sorry for the challenges with MDD you face each moment right now. It does seem endless and that life will never be different. As a patient with MDD and one who received TMS, I can tell you that you are not alone – not alone in your suffering and not alone in not having a support system outside your doctor’s office. There is a community of us who have similar experiences.
With that said, TMS is a medical treatment and the road you travel in the next several weeks receiving treatment can have its challenges. However, if this treatment is successful, you will walk out of this darkness. If your treatment provides 100% remission or even a 30 – 50% lift, with (many times) a smaller amount of medication support, life can be lived with optimism and possibilities, energy and engagement. It can be a roller coaster ride as your brain adjusts to the treatment and starts to reactivate. It takes some time, but when this happens, small consistent changes occur over several months which brings you to a better place. It sounds like you have a positive experience with your doctor and that is a plus. I know it may be difficult but it is helpful if you could make one small positive change in your life daily – maybe just take a 5 minute walk, drink one additional glass of water in a day, eat an apple once a day – something that will be healthy for you. You and your TMS treatments are partners in achieving your goal of improving your brain health – just like you would do for any other physical issue like heart disease, etc. You are important, and you are not ascribed a life to doom. It is a matter of finding what treatment works for you. There is constant research and new treatments being developed on a continuum since the brain initiative had been launched several years ago. Check this site out so you can see options and advances in TMS.
https://www.bbrfoundation.org/event/whats-new-tms-depression-and-other-brain-diseases
Stay connected here and let us know how you are doing.
Sending my best.
Colleen

Hi Griffin:
Just want to send hope and optimism for successful treatment.
Meds are so different for everyone depending on how effective treatment is. TMS can be 100% effective and meds are no longer necessary to maybe TMS is 50% effective so enhanced with minimal meds, it can restore a higher level of functioning and a better quality of life.
Sending my best for positive results!
Colleen

Hi Nutella:

When you had your original treatments, did your doctor tell you that when you noticed that you were feeling a little depressed, to call and get in immediately for a few booster treatments? I had my initial treatments over 7 years ago and my doctor said call him immediately when I was experiencing any kind of sadness so we could assess whether it was depression or a situational sadness. If it is depression the quicker you can undergo a couple of booster treatments the quicker you can recover. I do this and my pattern has been to receive three treatments in spring (either one a day for three consecutive days, or three treatments in one day) when I am feeling that shadow of depression. I recover quickly and am back to remission in a couple of days. It lasts for about a year. I know we are all different and some people go once a month routinely for a treatment, some biweekly, etc. Some people never need any boosters. Knowing your depression cycle is important. Also, I am sharing this video with others because they are now studying a variety of ways to administer TMS which has been helpful to some patients. I found three treatments in one day to be more effective than one treatment for three days.
https://www.bbrfoundation.org/event/whats-new-tms-depression-and-other-brain-diseases

Stay in touch.

Colleen

Okay, email me at colleencasey254@gmail.com and we can arrange a time.

Thanks
Colleen

g,
To help calm your fears, there is no scientific evidence that supports that TMS can make patients worse. There may be no improvement in some patients’ depression, but not a decline. With that said, I feel like you are describing my journey. I say that to assure you that you are not alone in your response to treatments. At the 10th treatment I felt so horrible I almost quit and if it wasn’t for my doctor believing so strongly in the treatment, I would have. I was one hell of a mess at two weeks out, having re-occurring memories of my childhood abuse, emotions that were so unstable, worse depression than when I started and a fear that ran so deep I just want to bang my head against a brick wall to make it all stop. It is a difficult journey for some of us g. Try and remember you are going through a medical procedure – no one knows how difficult that may be for each individual patient. My dip was so bad I thought I was getting worse and going insane at the same time. At two weeks my doctor remapped and the memories subsided because the configurations were ever so slightly different, but it made all the difference in stopping the memories. It was scary. I thought my brain would never return to even the place I was before I started TMS. I thought I agreed to permanent brain damage. Today however, I am in remission and off all medication. I go once a year for three booster treatments and my life for the past 7 1/2 years has been depression free. I would face it all again if I had or ever have to, in order to achieve the quality of life, the clarity in thinking and the positive, enjoyable experiences I have each day.
My doctor and treatment team were/are wonderful and offered as much support and information that I needed And at times it was a lot. They are the source of expertise. My doctor and treater guided me through this experience with belief and conviction. Keep connected with them – I do hope they are of the quality and offer the professionalism you deserve. It helps too to listen to positive lectures, to eat as healthy as you can, journal if it helps, whet ever you can muster up the energy to do that is positive. Stay connected to support systems even if there are only a few.
Stay connected to this site. You deserve to feel as good as possible. This takes work, commitment, courage and blind faith and if you have dealt with depression, you have all of those qualities. I hope this helps and if you need more support, just ask. That is what we are here for. Sending supportive hugs and positive vibes!
Colleen
g do you know what company made the TMS treatment machine your doctor uses? Mine is NeuroStar.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 6 months ago by  colleencasey.

That sounds fine. I will email you and we can set up a time to talk. 🙂

lajp and Eric99:

Please watch this video on the most updated ways TMS is being used. It is not traditional because TMS is an ongoing study of how to use it most effectively. I had three treatments in one day and the results were astounding.

https://www.bbrfoundation.org/event/whats-new-tms-depression-and-other-brain-diseases
Wish I had time to write more. Please keep us posted.
Colleen

Courtney:

Of course, as you say, having contact with your own doctor first is imperative. Also I am going to share the same website I just shared with someone else with a different problem. This is a podcast from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation – the presenting doctor is an expert in the field of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. You may want to google the doctor’s name, to have resources in addition to this site, and contact him. The reason why I suggest this is, as you will see from the podcast, that research is progressing rapidly in the field of TMS and there may be information that would be helpful to you based on his research.

https://www.bbrfoundation.org/event/whats-new-tms-depression-and-other-brain-diseases
I hope this is helpful. Good Luck and keep us posted.
Colleen

Badhealther:

Sorry to hear that TMS did not work for you and that you are dealing with the challenges you identify. I hope you find a treatment that is effective for you.

I did have NeuroStar TMS Treatment and it did work for me and has changed my life in a positive way.

There are a few questions that I wonder about with your treatment because there is no clinical evidence that these treatments make depression worse. It is sad that this treatment is not effective for everyone. That is the case for most medical treatments – they work for some but not all.

Did your doctor inform you that this is a treatment that does not work for everyone?

What type of machine was used to administer your treatments, as contact at the treatment site is critical to administer the correct dose (that should have been determined ahead of time)? Contact percentage varies from machine to machine.

There is constant brain research being conducted world-wide. There are new treatments being developed on a continuum that are bringing hope and relief to more and more of us who are dealing with the challenges of MDD.

Sending hopeful thoughts for recovery.

Colleen

Badhealther:

Sorry to hear that TMS did not work for you and that you are dealing with the challenges you identify. I hope you find a treatment that is effective for you.

I did have NeuroStar TMS Treatment and it did work for me and has changed my life in a positive way.

There are a few questions that I wonder about with your treatment because there is no clinical evidence that these treatments make depression worse. It is sad that this treatment is not effective for everyone. That is the case for most medical treatments – they work for some but not all.

Did your doctor inform you that this is a treatment that does not work for everyone?

What type of machine was used to administer your treatments, as contact at the treatment site is critical to administer the correct dose (that should have been determined ahead of time)? Contact percentage varies from machine to machine.

There is constant brain research being conducted world-wide. There are new treatments being developed on a continuum that are bringing hope and relief to more and more of us who are dealing with the challenges of MDD.

Sending hopeful thoughts for recovery.

Colleen

Eric99:
How are you and your wife making out? What has happened with the course of treatments?
I am hoping things are working out. Thinking about you both.

Colleen

Hi Eric99:
You are welcome. It is great that you are supportive of your wife. Depression is a challenge for everyone. It truly is a family issue. Take care of yourself too.
How are things progressing? Thinking of you all. Sending my best to you all.

Colleen

Hi Eric99:
Welcome to this forum. Wow your wife and you have a lot going on – depression is so complicated. I cannot address issues regarding Ketamine. I have no experience with it. What I would say generically is that if your doctor is the one recommending treatment or treatment combinations, and she/he has the experience administering those treatments, then it probably goes without saying (and you and your wife have probably already done this) an honest conversation with your doctor is where experience with a multitude of patients can be drawn from, (from a professional perspective). As members of this forum, each person can offer their perspective and experiences as a patient. The most difficult part of these new treatments is the individualization of each response and experience. This is sometimes levied to options, risks, decisions and then blind faith. No matter what the outcome of this is, please know that there are a number of new treatments undergoing clinical trials as scientific research continues its march towards understanding depression and creating more effective treatments. I have had success with TMS and am grateful each day.
A couple of points about TMS – this treatment restores the brain closest to its natural functioning state by creating movement in the brain. Medication works such that it moves the brain’s response away from natural functioning. So if your doctor is recommending it, there is good scientific reason. I have never heard the dip is avoidable simply because there is no clear understanding yet as to why it happens. It can be mild and it can be deep – what is important to remember is it is TEMPORARY. So as a team just maintain – and use your support systems should it occur – you will both get through it. TMS is a medical treatment and you should afford yourselves every resource to assist you both in getting through it. It can have challenges but also benefits that could far out way them. And it is not bad all of the time.
Also, TMS can be administered bilaterally if your doctor feels it is advantageous. Left side of the brain for depression. Right side for anxiety. You might want to inquire.
Don’t give up this treatment unless your doctor suggests so. This can be life altering and life saving and the six weeks will be minimal compared to the outcome when successful.
Hope this is helpful. Sending support and my best.
Colleen

• This reply was modified 6 years, 9 months ago by  colleencasey.

patjrvj:
Yes hold on to that as this can be a roller coaster of feelings, emotions, thoughts and behavior as your brain adjusts. Its so hard to visualize what we are actually experiencing throughout treatment and the unknown of each day and each treatment can be cause, (if we let it) for projecting the outcome. We just aren’t going to know for weeks. More challenges for sure but we have an inner strength regarding a desire to manage this illness and feel better that will carry us. Touch that strength inside; its there.
Thanks for staying in touch. My best,
Colleen

patjvj:
It is always good to hear about a positive mindset and the support of a positive, caring technician. It takes a team effort to get through this treatment sometimes. It’s great that the doctor is encouraging positive and warm and fuzzy movies and shows during treatment. It supports the work the TMS is doing in the brain. Thanks for sharing as you proceed through treatment in order to help others. Sending appreciation and support!
Colleen

patjrvj:
Here is the good news. That ‘something’ that is happening in your brain, often does not stop when treatment is over. Many times things improve over a several month period – often slow and steady.
If you go through ups and downs, try not to read into it because the TMS Treatment process for some may be smoother and less interruptive and for others, quite challenging – but it is short lived no matter what the process has in store for your.
Because this is a brain disorder, you have done nothing to feel shameful about (easier said than done) because no one can fix a brain disorder without a medical, medication and/or or theraputic intervention of some sort. It’s a medical condition. Don’t hurt yourself over this because you are already suffering. There are valuable lessons that you may become aware of after treatment outcomes are apparent, regarding your depression. It’s a horrible challenge living with depression, but great insight into life and living a more quality life may be an unexpected gift. Self compassion is very healing for sadness and shame. Maybe those could be a couple of issues to work out in a theraputic session. Be kind and gentle to yourself. Sending my best for your self compassion, understanding and persistence.
Colleen

Back at you tonight!!! Great news!! Whooaaa.

Hi lajp:
Six weeks of treatment is a long time. I think many people get to a point where they want to take a break or even stop treatment. I did and my doctor and I had a heart to heart discussion about feelings, brain changes, the TMS process, etc.
Your doctor and treatment team would be able to give you the best advice for consistency with treatment and whether a break is advantageous.. I have been told that a break at the initial treatment course could negatively affect outcome, but I am just a patient.
If you are feeling better, and your treatment cycle has not been complete, it may be like taking an antibiotic – some people stop when they start feeling better not at the end of medication and then the illness comes back.
Hang in there – the end results will be well worth it if you are already starting to feel better.
Colleen

lajp:
My doctor said that he has observed memory improvement in the patients he has treated. He is only one doctor though.
I found this article from a study at Northwestern University and pulled a couple of quotes below. The entire article is at this website. Hope this may be helpful.

newatlas.com/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-tms-memory-boost/33612/
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) improved the memory of participants in a Northwestern University study
“The results showed that brain stimulation led to better performance on the memory tests, with it taking three days of stimulation before the improvements occurred.”
Good Luck with treatment.
Colleen

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.
Colleen

Hi jrb:

Nice to hear from you. Wow you bring up so many great issues! I am going to address them one at a time. First I do want to say though that I can relate to the process of experiencing feeling small brighter moments and then small dark ones, then, feeling brighter again after treatment ended. It was a progressive process gaining a little bit each week over a 9-month period so that by the end of 9 months I was in complete remission from depression. My psychiatrist, who also underwent TMS, reported the same type of response. When our brains undergo TMS, the changes are on a continuum after treatment ends. When TMS is successful most often the neurological changes don’t end with treatment. So hope is abundant! My plan of after care was slowly removing medication, continued therapy sessions, and, if needed, booster treatments. (Not everyone needs boosters according to my doctor, (he has not needed them and many of his patients are the same. Not everyone becomes med free but many times there is a reduction of meds). I had treatments at 60 and had never experienced life not depressed so after treatments ended I didn’t know what normal sadness was as opposed to sadness from depression. At first when I was sad, I panicked and thought it was depression. It took a while for me to become comfortable with the normal ups and downs of life. 1 ½ years after initial treatment I did start to become depressed but I didn’t realize it immediately it was so gradual. Once I did my doctor said to come in for three booster treatments to see if that would restore remission. And it did. He said that the quicker one can recognize the symptoms and receive boosters the few treatments are needed in some patients. I know some patients who receive boosters once a week to once a month and others who will have a second full course of treatments. I will post this and then will continue as I almost lost this writing!)

• This reply was modified 6 years, 10 months ago by  colleencasey.

Diana:
First let me apologize for any hurt or negative feelings that you have in response to my post. That is not my intent at all, especially given the battle and challenges you and everyone else is waging against depression. I was trying to say that everyone’s journey is different so if someone experiences a lift at 2 weeks and someone else hasn’t experienced it at 4 weeks, that it doesn’t mean treatment isn’t working. That is all I meant and again I apologize for creating any misunderstanding of that point. I truly hope you don’t leave the forum as you are such a positive, supportive contributor. If you would like to talk in person so I can clarify, I would be very willing to do that. Again I apologize with sincerity and remorse for misstating my intent.
Best,
Colleen

Hi whocares: I read your post and am wondering how you are doing? Are you continuing with treatment?
Please let us know.
Colleen

Since we are patients and not doctors or coordinators, we are free to say what we want about TMS.
First, depression is a chronic illness for most people – sometimes additional TMS treatments are not needed when the treatment is successful – My doctor is one of those patients. Some of us do need booster treatments (not a full six week course) afterwards. It may range from a few treatments one time a year to a treatment or two once a month or so. It is different for all of us. Some of us can go completely off medications and some of us need some medication during and after treatment. Just because treatment ends, doesn’t mean the treatment effects stops as well. The end of treatment may be the beginning of changes in the brain. When I spoke with my doctor, he and I both experienced effects from our individual treatments for a period of nine months after treatment ended. Its not that way for everyone but neither is how quickly or how long it takes to feel the effects of treatment. Try not to compare (yourself with others) but just discuss individual differences. It may be more helpful when gathering information, advice or just venting a frustration to keep in mind that this is YOUR journey. We are here to support each other but don’t define your own process or outcome by others. That is what makes the world an interesting experience – our differences. Also, there are off label treatment regimens that doctors are trying. Insurance won’t cover them but a discussion with your doctor may be worth a shot if your symptoms persist. I have 3 treatments in one day sometimes to address my suicidal ideation which, the normal regimen of treatments did not resolve when it was administered. And it works well for me. I know others who’s suicidal ideation was arrested during the initial course of treatment. Changes can be slow and steady or can be up and down. Monitoring by your doctor and treatment team is imperative since they are the experts in the field. Emotions and feelings can be on unsteady ground for awhile. If you are required by your doctor to fill out depression and anxiety scales, they can be a reality check (they were for me when I was confused and scared about the outcome). Stay connected.
Thanks Diana for your encouragement. Sending that same encouragement to everyone!