@kelster69, hopefully the combination of the therapies are going to help. Perhaps you may need a "maintenance" TMS" if it is helping. Let us know how it's going. Are you a private pay it insurance covered. I'm Medicare so I think clinic is overly cautious because of reimbursement. Also is your ketamine treatment by IV or esketamine spray?

@clutch I am privileged in that my insurance covers TMS. But I pay out-of-pocket for intravenous ketamine. I know esketamine is covered under insurance. I got so desperate and suicidal I had to do what was most quickly available. I tell myself that it's better to be in debt than dead. I am still sorry your clinic is so overly cautious; I wish you had more freedom. Let's keep our fingers crossed that both of us can get what we need to function and not suffer so much. All the best, Kelley

Is this ANYTHING like electro-shock therapy? Once a barbaric practice, it has gained a new popularity in the last 20 years or so, due to the the fact that electro-shock therapy is virtually painless because you're heavily sedated into unconsciousness before said therapy. I've never had it done, but I've read it actually helps people with schizophrenia.

I have been on depression meds for years with good results ( first Zoloft for 20+ yrs, then it stopped working and switched to welbutrin) After getting covid in April my depression relapsed. I was not sleeping so I’m now also on the sedating dose of 7.5 mg of mirtazapine at night. I also take 1 mg of Xanax a day (broken up into .25 4X day) I tecided to try TMS
(Transcranial magnetic stimulation) in hopes of being able to get off the drugs. I’ve had 9 treatments and things were going well but around the 6th treatment my anxiety went through the roof. (I also have generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder) The Dr said sometimes this can happen and will settle down usually. But if not they can place the magnet on the right side of the brain to target the area where the anxiety impulses are hyperactive. From what I’ve been told placing the magnets on either side will help treat the depression but just through different paths. I have one more left side treatment this week (# 10 of 36 total) and my Dr wants to try doing right side treatment starting Monday for a week. And then try and go back to the left side for the remaining treatments. I was told depression is different for each individual. I guess they said In some people the depression is dominant with secondary anxiety and
some people have the anxiety as dominant with the depression secondary. I was wondering if anyone else has had TMS treatment and experienced this.

Hi @jorsech, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I think it's great that you are seeking the experience of others who have gone through Transcranial magnetic stimulation. You will notice that I moved your post to a discussion where people are talking about TMS already. I did this so that you can connect with those other members about what the doctor wants to do on your next treatment and see if anyone else has experienced that.

You might be interested in reading this article on the the right vs the left side treatment:
https://www.madisonavetms.com/right-vs-left-tms-is-performing-tms-on-the-left-side-of-the-head-more-effective-than-the-right/.
Did your doctor mention anything else about right side treatment? Are there any side effects at all?

Noticed there hasn't been much discussion on TMS lately. Anyone had TMS lately? Some claim that in addition to treating depression and anxiety, it may also help with chronic pain!
https://tmslosangeles.com/tms-for-chronic-pain/

I'm wondering if anyone has any recent experience with TMS treatments. From what I've read here, there are mixed results and effects. The last post I found was from 2019. Is it worth it?

Had checked on this option but insurance did not cover and costly. Does anyone know if insurance is now covering TMS procedure?

I have Medicare and private insurance. I was getting solicitation calls after I first inquired.
In Fayetteville, NC, we have a health desert.
I would have to drive 5 times weekly, over 500 miles/week, for several weeks.
As of now, I'm going to focus on my Spravato treatments. I'm edging along, slowly making progress.
Good luck with your quest.

Thanks Amanda.
I had started to look into TMS therapy last year, but cancelled at the last minute. Now that my meds aren't as effective, I'm looking for away to boost the underlying sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. It comes out of the blue, usually in the evening as the sun goes down. It's much worse in the winter, but it's still happening, along with worsening of other symptoms. Due to the shortage of therapists, I have been unable to find traditional therapy.
I just called my insurance company, and the representative had no idea of what TMS therapy is, and assured me that it would be a $5.00 copay. I don't believe it:) I've heard that the sessions which vary from one person to another come with a hefty price tag, and results may or may not be effective.